Next up on the CCO's trip through the Cubs minor league system are the pitching staffs of the Daytona Cubs and Peoria Chiefs. Pitching Analysis … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/15/11
Tennessee and Daytona each guaranteed a winning season, as both teams collected their 70th win as part of a system sweep on Friday. The minor league organization was a collective 11-7 to end the week. Great pitching performances from Eric Jokisch, Frank Del Valle, Matt Loosen, Casey Harman, Dae-Eun Rhee, Ryan Searle, and Casey Coleman were the highlights, as well as Josh Vitters emerging as a clutch performer. All of that, and more, in this edition of the CCO's Down on the Farm Report. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/08/11
Look at me coach! I'm ready to play, today! Centerfield took center stage once again in the organization. In Boise, Reggie Golden took his first shot at the position with good results. Peoria's Taiwan Easterling had a game to remember, while Tennessee's Jae-Hoon Ha is turning things around. And Iowa's Brett Jackson is on a tear that may put him in a big league uniform. Jackson's line over the last ten days: .429/.524/1.000/1.524 (15-for-35 with two doubles and six home runs with seven walks and … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/01/11
It was a rough end of the week for a majority of the system as player moves continued down on the farm. The Cubs added two players in the Kosuke Fukudome deal and both Abner Abreu and Carlton Smith made their organizational debuts. Tyler Colvin was promoted back to the show while one of the Cubs top prospects showed off his power and another was placed on the DL. Brett Jackson had a big weekend with homers in back-to-back games but Welington Castillo strained his right hamstring and had to be … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/28/11
Daytona and Tennessee are starting to come back to the level they displayed earlier in the season; with Greg Rohan and Michael Burgess providing a spark for the D-Cubs, while veterans James Adduci and Ty Wright are lifting the Smokies. Iowa got great pitching from Nick Struck and Casey Coleman. Peoria continues to struggle, while Boise juggles their middle infielders. Along with News and Notes, and a weekly recap of action in the Dominican Summer League and the Arizona Rookie League, welcome … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/25/11
The organization saw some signs of breaking out of their collective mid-season slump. Tennessee put together back-to-back victories, while Daytona earned their 60th win of the year. Zeke DeVoss continues to run wild in Boise, while Peoria got some good pitching from Eric Jokisch, Frank Del Valle, and Luis Liria. However, Iowa couldn't buy a win, as they struggled for consistency. All of this and more in this edition of the CCO's Down on the Farm Report. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/18/11
Consistency has suffered on all levels, as continued roster moves have played havoc. One time offensive juggernaut Tennessee is now struggling. Peoria is searching for answers offensively, while Boise seemed to run into a buzz saw in Vancouver. However, the name of the game is speed, speed, speed in Daytona and Iowa, as the improvement has made their pitchers happy, and opposing batteries nervous. All of that, and more, in this edition of CCO's the Down on the Farm Report. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/11/11
A rough end of the week saw only Boise bringing home more than one victory. Austin Kirk had a good follow-up to his no-hit performance, while Carlos Zambrano did well in his rehab assignment. Debuts were less than successful for Nick Struck, Chris Rusin, Matt Loosen, and Frank Del Valle. Iowa saw hot performances by Marwin Gonzalez and D.J. LeMahieu. The organization said goodbye to Augie Ojeda and Fernando Perez, while nine other players found new homes. Matt Szczur participated in the XM … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/05/11
In what appears to be a system-wide approach, every team relied on a score-at-will offense; solid, fundamental defense; keep 'em close starting pitching; and a shutdown bullpen as all five teams ended the week with winning records. Jay Jackson, Chris Rusin, Dae-Eun Rhee, Matt Loosen, and Luis Liria all had outstanding pitching efforts, while Marwin Gonzalez has been lights-out in Iowa. Austin Kirk tossed a no hitter for the Chiefs on Monday night ... the first nine-inning no hitter for the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/30/11
This week in the minors, Iowa gets out of neutral and goes on a six game winning streak. Tennessee is revving up their engine, as they won their last two games. Daytona is idling with a 4-6 record since the break, and Peoria blew the doors off of a losing streak with style, while Boise keeps chugging along. Along with News and Notes, as well as a weekly recap of action in the Dominican Summer League and the Arizona Rookie League ... on to Thursday's Down on the Farm Report. … [Read more...]