To start this week, the mid-May shuffle took a positive spin as pitchers PJ Francescon, Eric Jokisch, Brooks Raley, and Travis Wood were all promoted a level. The promotions can be seen as a positive step for the organization, as each level is closing in on playing at the .500 level, while Peoria and Tennessee [...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/21/12
May 21, 2012 By 47 Comments
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
May 17, 2012 By 39 Comments
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 – 05/16/12
May 16, 2012 By 28 Comments
Special Assignment – Peoria Chiefs v. Kane County Cougars Recently, I had the pleasure of being able to cover the series between the Chiefs and Kane County. It was a pleasant addition to be able to meet some of the executives from the Cubs organization. I’d like to thank Shawn Touney, Director of Public Relations [...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/03/12
May 3, 2012 By 4 Comments
As the first month of the season concludes, the organization finds their teams at all levels struggling to reach the .500 mark. Inconsistency seemed to be the recurring theme, as either pitching or hitting has let their respective teams down on a given night. There were fine pitching performances this week by Ben Wells and [...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/30/12
April 30, 2012 By 24 Comments
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 – 04/09/12
April 9, 2012 By 35 Comments
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 [...]
The Peoria Chiefs Announce 2012 Opening Day Roster
April 3, 2012 By 12 Comments
The Cubs’ Low Class-A affiliate Peoria Chiefs announced their Opening Day roster Monday and will feature several of the top prospects in the organization. The Low Class-A Peoria Chiefs roster is highlighted by Zeke DeVoss, Marco Hernandez, Reggie Golden, Ben Wells, Jose Rosario and Taiwan Easterling. A majority of the Opening Day roster for the [...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/12/12
March 12, 2012 By 9 Comments
Minor League Preview – Rookie and Short-Season A-Ball Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the first of a three-part installment previewing the 2012 minor league season. With a Dominican Summer League team making the playoffs in 2011, a 2011 rookie team narrowly missing the playoffs, and the most celebrated draft class for [...]
The CCO Elsewhere: