The Tennessee Smokies released their 2013 Opening Day roster on Tuesday. The Smokies open the season on Thursday, April 4 in Pensacola against the Blue Wahoos. Buddy Bailey will call the shots for the Smokies this season. Jeff Fassero (pitching coach), Desi Wilson (hitting coach) and Carlos Figueroa round out Bailey’s coaching staff. The Smokies’ roster features several of the top prospects in the Cubs’ system including Arismendy Alcantara, Matt Szczur, Tony Zych, Alberto Cabrera, Trey … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 02/11/13
With the Winter League seasons over and Opening Day for the Minor Leagues weeks away, it’s time to step away from reporting and move to more feature articles. As a preview to Spring Training, the Down on the Farm Reports returns to a feature entitled … Bubble Players and Bubble Busters Each year, a number of players are "on the bubble" as to making the Major League roster. This article takes a look at whom some of those players can be, and which players can "bust" their bubble. … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Minor League Managers, Staffs and Field Coordinators for 2013
The Cubs announced the coaching staffs for all minor league levels and field coordinators on Tuesday morning. The Cubs retained several coaches and reassigned a few of them to different levels of the system as well as added a few new coaches to the organization. Marty Pevey will manage the I-Cubs after serving as the minor league catching coordinator for the last three seasons. Brian Harper, as expected, was named hitting coach of the I-Cubs. Harper managed the Smokies in 2011 and the D-Cubs … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/23/12
As Casey Stengel once said "Can anybody here play this game?" Uneven efforts were the norm this week, as one or more elements, pitching-hitting-defense, were lacking throughout the system. However, there are always silver linings. Peoria's Oliver Zapata has extended his hitting streak to seven, and the offenses of both the Chiefs and Daytona seem to be perking up. Tennessee is now second in the Southern League in pitching and third in fielding. Anthony Rizzo is in the top ten in the Pacific … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/26/12
Minor League Preview - Double-A Tennessee Smokies and Triple-A Iowa Cubs Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! This is the last of a three part installment previewing the 2012 minor league season. With players from the defending Florida State Champion Daytona Cubs and Southern League runner-up Tennessee Smokies, the top two squads in the Cubs' system look to compete for championships this season. Here's how the Tennessee Smokies and Iowa Cubs look for 2012. … [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 Down on the Farm Report – 09/12/11
Special Playoff Edition One out of the playoffs, one in the championship series, and one crowned the champion. That's how things went this week in the Cubs' farm system, as Boise, Daytona, and Tennessee all started on the post-season road. Among the excellent performances were those turned in by Reggie Golden, Matt Szczur, Elliot Soto, Frank Del Valle, Jae-Hoon Ha, Rebel Ridling, and Josh Vitters. To find out how each team did, including the new champions of the Florida State League, along … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/01/11
Playing out the string is not what they have in mind in Boise, as Paul Hoilman looks for a home run crown while Reggie Golden is heating up. Peoria's Richard Jones continues his pursuit of 100 RBI, as All-Stars Evan Crawford, Justin Bour, and Frank Batista of Daytona prepare for the playoffs. With five games left in the season, Josh Vitters and the Tennessee Smokies remain tied for the second half championship and a first round bye. Meanwhile, Bryan LaHair is making history in Iowa. Along with … [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...]