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 – 09/10/12
The CCO's post-season minor league awards continue with the Minor League Player of the Year. Tim Saunders and Daury Torrez were named Short-Season Player and Pitcher of the Year last week. Several players took positive steps forward in the Cubs' system this season as a new philosophy was implemented throughout the organization. But one position player stood out from the rest and delivered a strong, consistent season from the beginning to the end. The Boise Hawks season came to an end on Sunday … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Minor League Managers, Coaching Staffs and Coordinators for 2012
The Cubs announced their 2012 Minor League managers, coaching staffs and coordinators on Wednesday. Dave Bialas moved from minor league field coordinator to manager of the Iowa Cubs. The I-Cubs will also have a new hitting coach. Dave Keller, who was on Mike Quade's staff last season will replace Von Joshua as Iowa's hitting coach. Jeff Fassero received a promotion to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. Fassero was pitching coach in Peoria last year. The Cubs also shifted Bill Dancy for the third … [Read more...]
Cubs Farm Teams Release Opening Day Rosters
Opening Day down on the farm is Thursday for the top four teams in the Cubs system. The Daytona Cubs were the first of the Cubs farm teams to release their Opening Day roster and the other three teams followed suit Monday. The I-Cubs Opening Day roster features nine players currently on the Cubs 40-man roster. Chris Carpenter will begin the year in Iowa's pen. The Smokies Opening Day roster features several of the top prospects in the Cubs' system. Brett Jackson will begin his 2011 campaign in … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/04/11
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 … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Minor League Coaching Staffs and Coordinators
The Cubs announced their 2011 Minor League coaching staffs and coordinators on Thursday. While five former Cubs remain in the system, Jody Davis is no longer with the organization as both sides decided to go in different directions. Bill Dancy received a promotion to Triple-A after earning Southern League Coach of the Year honors last year with the Smokies. Mark Johnson will manage the Boise Hawks. Frank Castillo will serve as one of the Mesa Cubs' pitching coaches and Jason Dubois will begin … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/25/10
For today's Down on the Farm Report we pick up where we left off on Monday, taking a look at the Cubs' minor league coaching staffs. Monday's post covered the Daytona Cubs, Tennessee Smokies and Iowa Cubs, so today we start with the Cubs Low-A clubs. These guys will be working with the really young prospects that need some instruction, so having the right coaches is important. … [Read more...]
Cubs Name Minor League Managers and Coaches
The Chicago Cubs announced their minor league managers and coaches last Thursday. Ryne Sandberg, who was promoted to Triple-A earlier in the month, will have Mike Mason and Von Joshua on his staff in Iowa. Von Joshua replaced Gerald Perry, who is now in the Red Sox organization, as the Cubs hitting coach last year. After the final game of the year, Jim Hendry announced that Lou Piniella's staff would return for the 2010 campaign ... with the exception of Von Joshua. The Cubs hired Rudy … [Read more...]
Sandberg to Manage the Smokies….and other Coaching Changes
The Cubs announced coaching changes throughout their farm system on Wednesday afternoon. The most notable move was the promotion of Ryne Sandberg from the Peoria Chiefs (Class A) to the Tennessee Smokies (Double-A). Sandberg spent his first two seasons as a manager in the Cubs' system with the Chiefs. Jody Davis' role within the organization also changed on Wednesday. Davis was named the Minor League catching coordinator and will no longer manage the Daytona Cubs. Davis will replace Casey … [Read more...]