The 2015 Carolina League Champions Myrtle Beach Pelicans were honored and received their rings at Sloan Park prior to Sunday’s Cactus League game between the Cubs and Mariners. The Pelicans won the 2015 Mills Cup Championship last season. And for many of last year’s Pelicans, it was their second championship in as many years. Mark Johnson led Low-A Kane County to the Midwest League Championship in 2014 and High-A Myrtle Beach to the Carolina League Championship last year. Johnson looks to … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/14/16
Minor League Preview – Rookie and Short Season A Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the first installment previewing the 2016 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. Overview The pipeline to the majors was a … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/24/15
Pitching Analysis – Lower Minors Today, the CCO completes its off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system. After reviewing the pitching staffs for Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee, High-A Myrtle Beach, and Low-A South Bend, it’s time for the pitching prospects in the lower minor leagues. Lower Minors Starters and Relievers Moving to the Short Season-A Eugene Emeralds for the 2015 season, Oscar De La Cruz became one of the most dominant pitchers in the Northwest League. The 20-year … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/31/15
Put all that anticipation of September call-ups on hold as the Iowa Cubs are back in playoff contention with a weekend sweep thanks to John Andreoli, Javier Baez, and newcomer Emilio Bonifacio. Tennessee also is on a roll, wining five straight with fine pitching from Andres Santiago and Pierce Johnson. Eugene had a rough weekend but maintained their first place lead on the bat of Ian Rice and pitching of Carson Sands. Myrtle Beach won in walk-off fashion courtesy of Jason Vosler, and Jeffrey … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/24/15
Twenty-five games over .500! That’s the record of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans as they went home run happy over the weekend, with Ben Carhart leading the way. Iowa also caught the home run bug as five members left the yard this weekend, with a game-winner by Adron Chambers. Tennessee had to dodge the raindrops as Jacob Hannemann stayed on a roll, while South Bend salvaged a game with home runs from Charcer Burks and David Bote. With scores from the rookie league and the conclusion of the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/27/15
It was a pretty good start to the week for some pitchers from the 2014 draft class. Lefty Tommy Thorpe is not thriving in the rotation for South Bend, while Brad Markey was blowing hitters away for Myrtle Beach. Austyn Willis also had a good outing for the AZL Cubs, and Ryan Williams kept rolling for Tennessee. Iowa squandered a good effort from Jeffry Antigua, and relievers Adbert Alzolay, Trey Masek, and Jae-Hoon Ha were all effective for Eugene. Back from a week of R & R, the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/15/15
It was an abbreviated schedule to start the week due to the Midsummer Classic. Pitching once again was the big news as youngster Junior Marte tossed five innings of no-hit ball for the DSL Cubs. Zach Hedges dominated with seven strikeouts for South Bend, and Paul Blackburn returned from the disabled list with three shutout innings. Meanwhile in Arizona, rehabbing pitchers Trey McNutt and Erling Moreno made some progress. With news from both Eugene and Tennessee, today’s Down on the Farm … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/22/15
As the first half of the minor league season closed, all teams are now in play as both the Northwest League and the Arizona Rookie League opened this weekend. The first half concluded with Myrtle Beach the Carolina League South Division Champions on the strength of pitchers Josh Conway and Daury Torrez. First round draft pick Ian Happ has made a splash for Eugene by cracking two home runs in the first three games he has played in. And while Tennessee fell out of playoff contention, a buzz … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/16/15
Minor League Preview – Rookie and Short Season-A Ball Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the first installment of a series previewing the 2015 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. Overview After three seasons, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 02/23/15
Five Players to Watch: Rookie and Short Season-A Ball It is time once again to look beyond the top 20 lists and explore other players in the Cubs’ organization that may have an impact on the Major League club down the road. Over the years, Chicago Cubs Online has profiled such players as Arismendy Alcantara, Kyle Hendricks and Armando Rivero in this series before they were recognized as top prospects. This is the first in a series of articles highlighting some of the players not noted on … [Read more...]