There was quite a bit made about the Cubs losing Jeff Beliveau on waivers last week to the Rangers. Beliveau has the makings of a good lefty specialist (LOOGY) and he was the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year just the season before last. Did the Cubs give up on him too quickly? Or did a calculated gamble backfire? Whether or not Beliveau will realize his promise with the Rangers’ organization or not is a debate for another day. But being named as a player or pitcher of the year in the … [Read more...]
Baseball America’s Top Cubs Prospects 2005 – 2010
Baseball America is viewed as the leader in ranking prospects and minor league systems. While publications like Baseball Prospectus have garnered a lot more respect in recent years, Baseball America remains the industry leader. A good ranking by Baseball America can increase a player's value overnight and that alone can be worth it's weight in gold ... or at least on the trade market. A well-stocked Minor League system with high praise from Baseball America can end up being the difference in … [Read more...]
Hit and Misses….but mostly Misses
As the 2002 MLB draft was approaching, the Chicago Cubs' farm system was highly regarded. Baseball America had it ranked in the top 3 in 2002, and 2001 and the trend would continue in 2003. Their biggest strength at the time was pitching. The club had four out of the first thirty-eight picks in 2002 and spent them all on promising pitching prospects. Unfortunately for the Cubs, only one of them tasted AAA ball and he, Bobby Brownlie, is in independent ball now. I was planning on writing this … [Read more...]
Weekend Update – 01/26/08
The last weekend in January....only 18 days until pitchers and catchers report. The next couple of weeks could be very interesting around baseball. There are still a lot of big name free agents on the market and trades that could still happen. This off-season has been centered around Johan Santana and some of the experts still feel once he is dealt and sets the market, other teams will be able to fill their holes on their roster. Speculation continued on Friday about the future of Matt Murton. … [Read more...]