Sometimes, to look intently at a target, you have to focus elsewhere. Perhaps, for a bit of perspective. I’ve noticed a few subtle adjustments the Cubs are doing that aren’t necessarily league-wide. Today’s Pipeline Alchemy focuses elsewhere, to point out what the Cubs are doing differently than some specific other sides.
As I started writing this Sunday, the Boise Hawks are beating the Cubs-affiliated Eugene Emeralds in PK Park, the Emeralds home ballpark. Here’s an assessment of the starting lineups for Sunday’s game. (NDFA: Non-drafted free agent)
Boise Hawks lineup
| Player | How acquired | Draft year | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | How acquired | Draft year | Round |
| Terrin Vavra | Draft | 2018 | 3 |
| Cade Harris | Draft | 2018 | 10 |
| Daniel Jipping | Draft | 2017 | 22 |
| Danny Edgeworth | Draft | 2017 | 23 |
| Luis Castro | NDFA | -- | -- |
| LJ Hatch | NDFA | -- | -- |
| Luke Morgan | Draft | 2018 | 20 |
| Hidekel Gonzalez | NDFA | -- | -- |
| Matt Hearn | MiLB FA | 2016 | 24 |
| Frederis Parra | NDFA | -- |
Eugene Emeralds lineup
| Player | How acquired | Draft year | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | How acquired | Draft year | Round |
| Fernando Kelli | NDFA | -- | -- |
| Christopher Morel | NDFA | -- | -- |
| Jonathan Sierra | NDFA | -- | -- |
| Gustavo Polanco | NDFA | -- | -- |
| Nelson Velazquez | Draft | 2017 | 5 |
| Jonathan Soto | NDFA | -- | -- |
| Ramsey Romano | Draft | 2017 | 31 |
| Kwang-Min Kwan | NDFA | -- | -- |
| Luis Vazquez | Draft | 2017 | 14 |
| Brailyn Marquez | NDFA | -- |
***
Most of the Emeralds participants in that lineup weren’t drafted.