Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/04/12

Where has all this offense come from? Peoria’s offense has gotten into high gear with the additions of Yasiel Balaguert and Javier Baez. Daytona has won four straight as Arismendy Alcantara, John Andreoli, Rubi Silva, and Ronald Torreyes have suddenly become hitting machines. However, Tennessee continues to struggle with putting runs on the board, needing [...]

Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/21/12

The mid-May shuffle is now having an impact on all levels of the organization. Unfortunately, it is injuries, and not performance that is causing the shake-up. However, that doesn’t mean that some players haven’t deserved some consideration. Anthony Rizzo is posting MVP-type numbers, while Matt Szczur and Jae-Hoon Ha are bouncing back from rough stretches [...]

Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/17/12

With the return of some players from injuries, the system took a turn for the better, going 8-2 to start the week. Peoria welcomed back Anthony Giansanti, as he played a big part in their three wins. Daytona had an off-day and a rainout, but won on Monday thanks to Austin Kirk. Junior Lake has [...]

Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/14/12

The system closed out the week going 6-9 for a total record of 13-14. A rainout in which Daytona was leading 6-0 on Friday may have evened the record. While inconsistencies still plague the system there appears a light at the end of the tunnel. Peoria and Daytona are finally hitting. As Paul Hoilman, Taiwan [...]

Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/07/12

Thrills, chills, and spills abound in the roller coaster ride that was the Cubs minor league system this week. Blowouts occurred, but who was on the winning end? The tightrope act that is the Tennessee Smokies kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Paul Hoilman now sports an 18-game hitting streak, while Nelson Perez [...]

Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/30/12

Wins were hard to come by with inconsistencies in hitting, pitching, fielding, and even managing throughout the system. Peoria has emerging performers in PJ Francescon, Andrew McKirahan, Pin-Chieh Chen, Wes Darvill, and Paul Hoilman, but still can’t find a recipe for winning games. The bats of Matt Szczur, Ronald Torreyes, and Elieser Bonne are starting [...]

Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/26/12

The beginning of this week had the minors emulating conditions at the big league park, with seven of the 12 games happening in the daylight hours. Peoria’s Oliver Zapata had his hitting streak stopped at eight, but Peoria received great pitching performances from PJ Francescon and Kyler Burke. Daytona continued to scuffle, but pooled their [...]

Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/23/12

As Casey Stengel once said “Can anybody here play this game?” Uneven efforts were the norm this week, as one or more elements, pitching-hitting-defense, were lacking throughout the system. However, there are always silver linings. Peoria’s Oliver Zapata has extended his hitting streak to seven, and the offenses of both the Chiefs and Daytona seem [...]

Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/16/12

Successes are from the top down this week as Welington Castillo, Luis Valbuena, Anthony Rizzo, and Josh Vitters have led Iowa to the best team batting average in the Pacific Coast League. Tennessee is third in the Southern League in pitching thanks to the efforts of Trey McNutt, Dallas Beeler, Dae-Eun Rhee, and Brooks Raley. [...]

Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/09/12

Welcome everyone to a new minor league season. This week, timely hitting, great defense, and some fine pitching performances allowed Peoria to start out 2-1 for the season. Rubi Silva and Arismendy Alcantara came out swinging in Daytona. Nick Struck pitched an Opening Day gem in Tennessee, while Brett Jackson showed why he is the [...]