Position Analysis - Centerfield The seventh installment of the off-season series to summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis focuses on a position that holds a lot of promise for the entire organization: Centerfield. Centerfield As was stated in the left field analysis, the outfield situation for the parent club looks crowded, which doesn’t bode well for Matt Szczur. The 2010 fifth round draft pick has enjoyed a steady, albeit unspectacular, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/27/14
As winter baseball enters its third week, there were more debuts for Cubs’ prospects. Frank Batista was an instant smash in a starter’s role, as he and fellow pitcher Starling Peralta joined the Dominican Winter League. Christian Villanueva was eased into the Mexican Pacific League, while reliever Alberto Diaz made his first appearance in the Venezuelan Winter League. Continuing to tear things up are Bijan Rademacher and Willson Contreras, as Dan Vogelbach and Jacob Hannemann saw some signs … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/20/14
Good morning! Week two of winter baseball saw the opening of the Dominican Winter League and the re-emergence of familiar veterans Manny Ramirez and Junior Lake, among others. Meanwhile in the Venezuelan Winter League, reliever Loiger Padron remains perfect while swingman Eduardo Figueroa had his ups and downs. As for the Arizona Fall League, Bijan Rademacher continues to impress and starters C.J. Edwards and Ivan Pineyro had good outings. For more details, check out this week’s Down on … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/13/14
Welcome everyone to the CCO’s coverage of off-season baseball. In today’s report, Bijan Rademacher has a big night as the Mesa Solar Sox win their first game in the Arizona Fall League. Meanwhile, down in the Venezuelan Winter League, Cubs pitching prospects are having mixed results. For all the highlights, take a look inside today’s Down on the Farm Report. Editor’s Note: Coverage runs from Sunday to Saturday. Arizona Fall League The Mesa Solar Sox opened league play Tuesday with a … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/10/14
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 2014 minor league season. A brief overall look at the system will precede the team summaries. Please note that the previews are based on current roster assignments and anticipated Spring Training success. All assignments, both as to position and level, are subject to change pending the completion of Spring Training. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/24/13
Position Analysis The CCO’s off-season look at each position in the Cubs’ system continues today. The series of articles to summarize and project how the organization stacks up on a position by position basis has looked at all four infield positions, catcher and left field, next up is centerfield, a position that holds a lot of promise for the organization. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/30/13
The longball was the center of attention at the start of the week, as Iowa ended up getting them from unexpected sources in Edwin Maysonet and Donnie Murphy. Arismendy Alcantara continues to amaze in Tennessee as he hit his seventh longball of the season. Meanwhile, Kane County’s Dan Vogelbach got himself back on track by launching two big flies of his own. None may have been more important than one by Javier Baez, who helped Daytona win in walk-off fashion. To get the details, see what’s inside … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/23/13
Arrivals seem to be the big story to start this week as pitchers Jose Rosario and Kyler Burke returned to Kane County and Daytona respectively. Albert Almora made his Kane County debut on Wednesday night and went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a RBI. Meanwhile, Tennessee suffered two last minute losses and Iowa rode the mighty bat of Brian Bogusevic to a doubleheader sweep. These stories, along with a recap of the first week of the Venezuelan Summer League, are inside Down on the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/16/13
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/16/13 The lows seemed to outnumber the highs to start the week, as both Kane County and Daytona could not manage a win between them. Iowa wasn’t much better, taking only one out of three from Reno. Tennessee was the only Cubs’ affiliate to show some life as the Smokies won four in a row thanks to Rafael Lopez and Christian Villanueva. These stories, along with the opening of the Venezuelan Summer League, are inside Down on the Farm. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/11/13
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 2013 minor league season. A brief overall look at the system will precede the team summaries. We will be using a new format, discussing each level’s strengths, weaknesses, and things to look for this season. Please note that the previews are based on current roster assignments and anticipated Spring Training success. All assignments, both as … [Read more...]