As the Big League club begins a new season, the future Cubs are hard at work in Spring Training. The minor league season begins Thursday, April 7 for the top four teams in the Cubs system.
The I-Cubs open against the Round Rock Express while the Tennessee Smokies will face the Chattanooga Lookouts in their first game of the year. Daytona faces the Brevard County Manatees and the Peoria Chiefs will host the Cedar Rapids Kernels.
Here is a preview of the Cubs’ top four teams. The Daytona Cubs released their Opening Day roster Sunday, which in turn slotted several of the players on both the Peoria Chiefs and Tennessee Smokies rosters. The Chiefs, Smokies and Iowa Cubs will announce their official Opening Day rosters over the next few days.
The Cubs made several personnel moves in the system over the past week as well … all that and more in this week’s Down on the Farm Report. Matt Szczur has been hampered with a leg injury this spring and could begin the season on the DL or remain in extended Spring Training according to a report from Kevin Capie.
Where, and if, Matt Szczur begins the season could end up having a ripple effect throughout the system. If healthy, Szczur is expected to begin the year with the Peoria Chiefs.
Low Class A – Peoria Chiefs
Manager: Casey Kopitzke; Batting Coach: Ricardo Medina; Pitching Coach: Jeff Fassero
Pitching: Hayden Simpson will likely begin the year with the Peoria Chiefs. When Simpson throws a pitch this spring, it will be his first in a professional game. Austin Kirk and Robinson Lopez could join Simpson in the rotation. Cameron Greathouse and southpaw Jeffry Antigua could fill out the Chiefs’ rotation to begin the season.
As for the pen, Yohan Gonzalez, Larry Suarez, Manolin DeLeon, Justin Bristlow, Erik Jokisch, Bryce Shafer and Marcus Hatley are in the mix for a relief spot … along with Charles Thomas, and Casey Harman.
Outfield: Rubi Silva is slated to spend time in center, along with Matt Szczur. And Silva’s playing time early in the year in center will depend on Szczur’s availability. D.J. Fitzgerald could return for a third season of duty with the Chiefs along with Smaily Borges.
Infield: Elliot Soto, Pierre LaPage and Arismendy Alcantara are in the mix for the two middle infield spots. Brandon May could see time at third and first base. Richard Jones will be the Chiefs other first baseman.
High Class-A Daytona Cubs
Manager: Buddy Bailey; Batting Coach: Barbaro Garbey; Pitching Coach: Tom Pratt
The Daytona Cubs announced their 2011 Opening Day roster Sunday afternoon. Several of the better prospects in the Cubs system will begin the year with manager Buddy Bailey.
Pitchers
- Frank Batista
- Jeff Beliveau
- Brent Ebinger
- Tyrelle Harris
- Aaron Kurcz
- Jordan Latham
- Jeff Lorick
- Dae-Eun Rhee
- Kevin Rhoderick
- Zach Rosscup
- Ryan Searle
- Nick Struck
- Brett Wallach
- Rob Whitenack
Catchers
- Michael Brenly
- Chad Noble
- David Macias (IF/OF)
Infielders
- Justin Bour
- Matt Cerda
- Junior Lake
- Jake Opitz
- John Urick
- Logan Watkins
Outfielders
- Michael Burgess
- Evan Crawford
- Jae-Hoon Ha
- Nelson Perez
The D-Cubs infield should be fun to watch, and follow, with Justin Bour, Matt Cerda, Junior Lake and Logan Watkins. Lake and Watkins are two of the big athletic middle infielders in the Cubs system that are primed for a big season.
The outfield of Evan Crawford, Jae-Hoon Ha, Michael Burgess and Nelson Perez has a solid mix of power, speed and athleticism.
Double-A – Tennessee Smokies
Manager: Brian Harper; Batting Coach: Mariano Duncan; Pitching Coach: Marty Mason
Strengths – Pitching: The question may be “Can anyone score against the Smokies?” While that may be overly optimistic, Marty Mason will have a great staff to work with. The starting rotation will include top ten prospects in right-handers Trey McNutt, Alberto Cabrera, and Rafael Dolis, as well as Craig Muschko. Left-handed pitchers Chris Rusin and Ryan Butcher will round out the rest of the slots. Converted starter Chris Carpenter will vie for the closer role with fellow righty Kyle Smit and lefty Luke Sommer. The bullpen could be filled out with impressive arms, such as Marco Carrillo and James Leverton.
Infield: The Smokies will begin the season with many of the top names in the system in the infield. Ryan Flaherty figures to spend time at all four spots and in the outfield. D.J. LeMahieu figures to start the year at second base with Marwin Gonzalez at short. Josh Vitters had a good camp with the parent club and showed he may indeed have the stuff at third base.
Catcher: Steve Clevenger returns to the Smokies this season, this time as a starter after sharing the position with now-departed Robinson Chirinos. Mario Mercedes, who put up decent numbers for Single-A Peoria last season, will likely serve as Clevenger’s backup. Lalli, a converted catcher, could also spend a little time behind the plate.
Outfield: All eyes will be on Brett Jackson as he progresses through the system. With the logjam in the outfield in Iowa, it would not be a surprise to see the Cubs promote Jackson from Double-A to the big leagues … like they did with Starlin Castro. Jackson needs a solid start to the season to keep his name in the mix for a mid-season call-up.
Tony Campana figures to begin the year in the Smokies outfield as well with Matt Spencer possibly splitting time at first base and in the outfield. James Adduci could be lost in the numbers in Iowa and begin his season back in Double-A.
Triple-A – Iowa Cubs
Manager: Bill Dancy; Batting Coach: Von Joshua; Pitching Coach: Mike Mason
Strengths – Catcher: The I-Cubs number one prospect is Welington Castillo, whose scorching Spring Training almost earned him a spot on the big league roster. Max Ramirez will back-up Castillo and could receive an early call if Koyie Hill cannot get the job done … or if Geovany Soto spends time on the DL. The Cubs front office wants Castillo to play everyday and continue to improve, not only offensively but also with calling a game. Also in the mix is minor league veteran Chris Robinson.
Starting Pitching: Dancy and Mason will have an interesting decision on their Opening Day starter. Right-hander Jay Jackson may have the most potential, but Thomas Diamond may provide more experience. However, Austin Bibens-Dirx has the “stuff”, while Casey Coleman has quietly become a favorite in the organization, mainly due to the time spent and the comparisons made to Greg Maddux. Coleman just missed the final cut at the end of big league camp. The rotation will be rounded out by minor league veteran lefty J.R. Mathes. Injured vet Todd Wellemeyer and Hung-Wen Chen could also be available to start.
Area in Flux – Infield: As of now, the I-Cubs’ infield is headed by third baseman Marquez Smith. If Augie Ojeda, injured in Spring Training, is not able to go at short, Matt Camp could be called on to replace him. If Ojeda is ready, Camp will battle Bobby Scales and Scott Moore for time at second. Moore will also see time at third and first, as Bryan LaHair will split time between first and the outfield.
Causes for Concern – Relief Pitching: Jeff Stevens recorded 10 saves at Triple-A last season. He will battle with David Cales and Scott Maine for the closer role. Justin Berg, Esmailin Caridad, Robert Coello, Blake Parker, and Jake Muyco are right-handers; John Gaub and Polin Trinidad join Maine as the left-handers in the I-Cubs pen.
Outfield: The I-Cubs’ outfield will be long on Triple-A production, but short on big league prospects. Heading the cast will be Fernando Perez, whose poor spring cost him a spot in the majors. Returning are Luis Montanez, Brad Snyder and Ty Wright. Bryan LaHair will also see some time in the outfield.
Cubs Minor League News and Transactions
The Cubs signed outfielder Brandon Watson according to Baseball America. The Montreal Expos selected the 29-year old lefty in the ninth round of the 1999 draft. Watson has played 40 games in the big leagues, last appearing in a Nationals uniform in 2007. Watson last played in 2009 at the Triple-A level in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.
Brandon Watson’s Page on Baseball-Reference
The Cubs also released several players. Danny Keefe (RHP), Corey Martin (RHP), Mike Parisi (RHP), Scott Rice (LHP), Francisco Guzman (OF) and Cody Shields (OF). The Cubs took Parisi in the 2009 Rule 5 Draft but injuries and a rough spring forced them to send him to the minors.
The Cubs also released former second round pick Aaron Shafer. The Cubs selected Shafer in the second round of the 2008 draft with the 65th overall pick.
Aaron Shafer’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Kyler Burke, the Cubs 2009 Minor League Player of the Year, is being converted to a pitcher. Burke was a pitcher prior to being drafted by the San Diego Padres. The Cubs acquired Burke in the deal that sent Michael Barrett to the Friars in 2007. Burke will stay behind in Arizona and work in extended Spring Training.
Two Cubs minor league players were suspended 50 games for violating the Minor League drug policy. Catcher Erick Castillo and right-handed pitcher Amalio Reyes will begin serving their suspensions when the Dominican Summer League season begins.
McNutt, Simpson and Szczur Win Fan Poll
The results of this year’s minor league fan poll are now in. Forty-five players were nominated and a total of 126 votes were cast. In the end, right-handed pitchers Trey McNutt and Hayden Simpson, along with outfielder Matt Szczur tied with nine votes apiece. The top ten vote-getters are:
1. Trey McNutt – RHP
1. Hayden Simpson – RHP
1. Matt Szczur – OF
4. Josh Vitters – 3B
5. D.J. LeMahieu – IF
5. Reggie Golden – OF
7. Michael Burgess – OF
7. Micah Gibbs – C
9. Jae-Hoon Ha – OF
9. Brett Jackson – OF
However, since only two pitchers were selected and Brett Jackson may be a quick call-up, I’m asking readers if they would mind Jackson being replaced by pitcher Chris Carpenter, the next leading player? Post your comments, and the will of the people shall reign.
A special shout-out goes to Steve23, who has given a new nickname to Rubi “The Expensive Cuban” Silva, IF/OF.
Here is a list of the nominees and the number of votes received, in alphabetical order:
Jeffry Antigua – LHP – 1
Darwin Barney – SS – 1
Austin Bibens-Dirkx – RHP – 2
Justin Bour – 1B – 2
Michael Brenley – C – 1
Michael Burgess – OF – 6
Yaniel Cabeza – 1
Tony Campana – OF – 1
Chris Carpenter – RHP – 4
Wellington Castillo – C – 1
Matt Cerda – 3B/2B – 3
Steve Clevenger – C – 2
Casey Coleman – RHP – 1
Dustin Fitzgerald – RHP – 1
Ryan Flaherty – IF – 2
Micah Gibbs – C – 6
Reggie Golden – OF – 7
Marwin Gonzalez – IF – 2
Jae-Hoon Ha – OF – 5
Brett Jackson – OF – 5
Jay Jackson – RHP – 3
Aaron Kurcz – RHP – 3
Junior Lake – IF – 4
D.J. LeMahieu – IF – 7
Pierre LePage – 2B – 1
A.J. Morris – RHP – 1
Robinson Lopez – RHP – 1
Marcos Mateo – RHP – 1
Trey McNutt – RHP – 9
Max Ramirez – C – 1
Dae-Eun Rhee – RHP – 1
Rebel Ridling – 1B – 1
Chris Robinson – C – 1
Zack Rosscup – LHP – 2
Chris Rusin – RHP – 1
Ryan Searle – RHP – 1
Rubi Silva – IF/OF – 3
Hayden Simpson – RHP – 9
Brad Snyder – OF – 1
Elliot Soto – IF – 1
Larry Suarez – RHP – 1
Matt Szczur – OF – 9
Josh Vitters – 3B/1B – 8
Logan Watkins – 2B – 1
Robert Whitenack – RHP – 1
The results of the CCO fan poll are also posted in the community blog
Follow the CCO on Twitter: @TheCCO