David Ross is enjoying life after playing his last game and retiring from baseball. Ross was back in Chicago for an autograph signing Sunday after making the rounds following the Cubs winning The World Series. Ross appeared on Saturday Night Live and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ross talked to Carrie Muskat about what he has been doing in the nearly two weeks since the Cubs won The Series and what’s next for him. According to the report from Carrie Muskat, Ross will talk to Theo Epstein … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Minor League Managers, Staff and Coordinators for the 2016 Season
The Cubs announced the managers and coaching staffs Thursday for each of its minor league affiliates and the organization’s minor league coordinators for the 2016 season. Marty Peavy (Triple-A Iowa), Mark Johnson (Double-A Tennessee), Buddy Bailey (High-A Myrtle Beach), Jimmy Gonzalez (Low-A South Bend), Jesus Feliciano (Short-Season Eugene), Carmelo Martinez (Rookie Ball Mesa), Claudio Almonte (Dominican 1) and Pedro Gonzalez (Dominican 2) will be the eight skippers in the Cubs … [Read more...]
Javier Baez Stayed Hot, Played Third Base for Iowa Cubs
The day off Sunday did not cool off Javier Baez at the plate. Baez went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, two RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base in Iowa’s 9-0 victory over Fresno at Principal Park. Javier Baez smacked a two-out, two-run homer to center off former teammate Dan Straily in the fourth inning and did not strikeout in five plate appearances. Baez doubled to right and singled to center. And Baez played third base for the first time since returning … [Read more...]
Cubs Prospect Christian Villanueva is On Fire at the Plate
There is a Cubs’ prospect tearing up the Pacific Coast League and he is not making many headlines yet. INF Christian Villanueva is on fire at the plate. The soon-to-be 24-year old has gone deep in each of his last four games while shifting positions in order to accommodate Javier Baez’s switch to third base. Christian Villanueva has rebounded nicely from a rough 2014 season that saw him start the year with Iowa. Villanueva struggled at the plate with the I-Cubs and when Kris Bryant was ready … [Read more...]
Javier Baez is Making A lot of Noise in Triple-A
Javier Baez is trying to make it difficult for the front office to leave him in Iowa. Baez has not said a word. Baez is producing at the plate. Javier Baez went hitless (0-for-3 with a sac fly RBI and a strikeout) in Monday’s 8-3 loss to Reno. Reports from the park indicated he just missed a home run that went for a sac fly in the third inning. And he was robbed of an extra basehit in the first inning by left fielder Garrett Weber. Baez was 2-for-4 with two home runs and a walk Sunday in … [Read more...]
Three-Hit Game for Javier Baez Includes First Homer of the Season
Javier Baez played his fourth game of the year Sunday and had his best day at the plate. Baez started at second base and hit clean up in Iowa’s 7-3 victory over Oklahoma City. Baez went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, two RBI and a strikeout. Baez has hit safely in three of the four games he has played in after missing all but one day of the first month of the season. Javier Baez is 5-for-19 with two doubles, a home run and five strikeouts (.263/.263/.526) for a .789 OPS playing both … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Mike Olt Has Sights Set on Opening Day Job with the Cubs
Countdown to Pitchers and Catchers Reporting to Mesa: 8 days Mike Olt has already reported to the Cubs’ facility and he’s eager to apply the lessons he learned last year according to a report from Carrie Muskat. Olt showed the power that made him an untouchable prospect a couple of years ago. Olt smacked 12 home runs and hit eight doubles in 89 games in the majors last season. But Olt struck out 100 times with only 25 walks in 258 plate appearances (.160/.248/.356) and lost confidence as … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Minor League Managers, Staff and Coordinators for the 2015 Season
The Cubs announced the managers and coaching staff Wednesday for each of its minor league affiliates and the organization’s minor league coordinators for the 2015 season. The 2015 season will be the first year for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High-A), South Bend Cubs (Low-A) and the Eugene Emeralds (Short-Season Low-A) in the Cubs’ system, joining the Iowa Cubs (Triple-A) and Tennessee Smokies (Double-A). Marty Pevey (Triple-A Iowa), Buddy Bailey (Double-A Tennessee), Mark Johnson (High-A … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Mr. Bryant Goes to Wrigley and Other Cubs News and Notes
Kris Bryant and Jen-Ho Tseng, the Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year, were front and center Wednesday at Wrigley Field before the Cubs completed the three-game sweep of the Reds behind last year’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year Kyle Hendricks. Bryant handled himself as expected when addressing the media. Before talking to the beat writers, Bryant’s former and future teammates were calling him down to the field to suit up and play. And Bryant called it bittersweet to be at Wrigley … [Read more...]
Iowa Cubs Release Opening Day Roster
The Iowa Cubs released their Opening Day roster following Wednesday's on field workout. The I-Cubs open the 2014 season on Thursday night against the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals) at Principal Park. I-Cubs' skipper Marty Pevey announced Wednesday that Chris Rusin would get the ball on Opening Day. Iowa will garner a lot of attention this season, especially early in the year. Iowa's infield will feature Javier Baez, Arismendy Alcantara and Christian Villanueva. Jason McLeod … [Read more...]