This is probably one of the best news I’ve heard regarding the Cubs in a long time. They’ve shipped off infielder Neifi Perez to Detroit for a minor league catcher.
Yes, I know a lot of Cub fans are happy to rid the team of Neifi but I’m happiest about who they got… 22- year old Chris Robinson.
Robinson is a former Illini player . I got a good look at him two seasons ago (his senior year). He definitely was an impact player with the bat. He wasn’t what I would call a “slugger” but he had occasional pop. Mostly a line drive doubles hitter, though. His batting averges for the three years with Illinois were .306, .359, and .353. Not only that both his OBP and Slg improved each year.
His defense is good (he’s got a great arm!) and he was a real leader on the Illinois team. He was chosen to the All-Big 10 First Team in his senior year.
He had a period of adjustment in the minors but this year, he seemed to had hit his stride. He’s hitting .282 in A ball.
Realistically speaking, I don’t know what the plans are for Robbie. Most likely he will report to Daytona, the Cubs’ A affilliate. I’ll be keeping an eye on him from time to time.
BZ, I thought of you when I saw the Cubbies picked up a U of I Alumni. Also thought of how Perez would help the Tigers and how much I hate the Cubs. Also thought of Marc when Neifi batted leadoff for Detroit. Neifi plays for Marc’s Upperdeckers of the Illowa APBA League and usually over performs for him.