Another week, another league begins play as the newly formed Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League started up in Puerto Rico. The Cubs have two players represented, for now, in newly signed infielder Edwin Maysonet and catcher Rafael Lopez. Meanwhile, back in Arizona, infielder Logan Watkins is beginning to make a name for himself while outfielder Matt Szczur continues to improve as the "leadoff man of the future". There was also a lot of action in the Caribbean as Junior Lake and … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/15/12
As the Maxine Nightingale song said we're "right back to where we started from" as the CCO welcomes you to another year of coverage of the winter leagues. This week saw the opening of the Arizona Fall League, as well as the Mexican Pacific League and the Venezuelan Winter League. As it stands, the Cubs have received commitments from 23 players to the winter leagues, with more to come as the Dominican Winter League began on Sunday, while the Puerto Rican League opens in the early November. Along … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/17/12
Second Half Minor League Report In looking at the Cubs' minor league system for the second half of the 2012 season, one can break things down into three phases. First there are the AZL Cubs and the Boise Hawks, which received the greatest influence of the Cubs' new front office team. With their rosters heavily populated by players from the 2012 draft and international free agent signings, both ended up in the playoffs at the end of the season, with Boise losing in the finals. Next there were … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/30/12
Entering the final week of the minor league season has different meanings at each level. For the players in Iowa, such as Greg Rohan and Dave Sappelt, it means their last chance to make an impression and hope for a September call-up to the big leagues. In Boise and Arizona, players like Stephen Bruno, Jeimer Candelario, Shawon Dunston Jr., and Trevor Gretzky are beginning to prepare for the playoffs. While the players in Tennessee, Daytona and Peoria are trying to show management that they … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/23/12
Playoffs??!! Are you kidding ME??!! Apparently, no, as both Boise and the AZL Cubs have the post season in their sights. Boise has the post-season on their minds for their second consecutive season as they ride the Northwest League's leading hitter Stephen Bruno, along with Gioskar Amaya, Dan Vogelbach, Albert Almora, and Jeimer Candelario providing the pop to the Hawks' attack. The A-Cubs have gotten contributions from Shawon Dunston Jr., Trevor Gretzky, and some very solid pitching. Peoria … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/20/12
Things continue to look good from the ground up in the minor league system and Iowa surprised by winning three out of four to end the week as Dave Sappelt appears to have his eye on the big league club in September. Boise has stayed in the lead in the second half of the season thanks to Rock Shoulders, Stephen Bruno and Albert Almora joining an already impressive list of hitters in Gioskar Amaya, Jeimer Candelario, Dan Vogelbach, and Willson Contreras. Speaking of promising hitters, Jorge … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/16/12
Changes appear to be in the air for the minor league system, as Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita was fired on Wednesday afternoon. Long deserved promotions for pitcher Austin Kirk and outfielder Rubi Silva have finally happened, while Yoannis Negrin, Willengton Cruz, and Jacob Rogers also received a bump up in level. Tennessee has tightened up their defense, which has resulted in shut out wins for Dae-Eun Rhee and Yoannis Negrin. And Iowa actually posted a couple of wins, with … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/09/12
Progress continues to inch along in the Cubs' system, with the lower minor league teams showing the most improvement. Boise has moved into first place in the second half as leading hitters Gioskar Amaya, Stephen Bruno, and Dan Vogelbach have stabilized the offense. Shortstop Tim Saunders has tightened up the defense in Peoria, to the delight of Michael Jensen and Starling Peralta. New faces Christian Villanueva and Javier Baez have been in the middle of things in Daytona, while Tennessee's … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/02/12
The win-loss records improved across the system for the most part and several of the top prospects in the organization continue to play well. A couple of players made their organizational debut and several additions were made with the trades at the big league level. Dillon Maples made his pro debut on Sunday and Pierce Johnson made his first appearance for the AZL Cubs on Wednesday. Dan Vogelbach launched his first homer in a Hawks' uniform while Javier Baez just keeps on hitting. Daytona kept … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/30/12
The team results were not what the managers wanted to see but several prospects in the Cubs' system had a good end of the week and for some the solid play carried over into the weekend. The Smokies had a rough end to their nine-game road trip. Jae-Hoon Ha was injured during Thursday's game in Jacksonville and will be out for 7-14 days with a concussion. On the positive side, Matt Szczur replaced Ha on the Smokies roster, made his Double-A debut Friday and notched his first Double-A single on … [Read more...]