Minor League Preview: Low-A Kane County and High-A Daytona Top o’ the Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the second of a three part installment previewing the 2014 minor league season. Please note that the previews are based on current roster assignments and anticipated Spring Training success. All assignments, both as to position and level, are subject to change pending the completion of spring training. … [Read more...]
Best Tools in the Cubs Farm System
The big names in the Cubs minor league system are well known. From the 'Core Four' to the 'Gang of Four', the players and stats are followed and dissected daily throughout the year. Evaluating and keeping track of minor league players is easier now than ever before. But how do the players in the organization stack up against one another? Just because a player is considered one of the top prospects in the game that does not mean another player in the system does not have a better arm or hit … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/10/13
Position Analysis The CCO’s off-season series of articles to summarize and project how the Cubs’ minor league system stacks up on a position by position basis continues today. Second base was first on the list followed by third base, shortstop and first base. Today, the CCO focuses on a position that may be the weakest in the entire organization: Catcher. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/19/13
Special Assignment – Kane County Cougars v. Peoria Chiefs I had the pleasure of being able to cover the final series of the season between the Kane County Cougars and Peoria Chiefs. I’d like to thank Shawn Touney, Director of Public Relations and the Kane County Cougars. I’d also like to mention reporter Mike Knapp of the Beacon News, who has been an excellent resource, a great baseball conversationalist, and was a welcoming presence in the press box, as well as Kevin Druley of the Kane County … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/02/13
Happy Labor Day to everyone from the CCO! As the minor league season entered its final weekend, both the Iowa Cubs and the AZL Cubs were eliminated in their desperate attempts to make the playoffs. Meanwhile in Tennessee and Daytona, both teams are preparing for post-season as the bats of Javier Baez and Dustin Geiger have stayed hot. Boise put themselves in a must-win situation for their final two games after being no-hit on Saturday. As for Kane County, the Cougars wrap up their season on … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/29/13
The final days of the minor league season are upon us, and Tennessee, behind a power surge from Javier Baez, has locked up a playoff spot in the Southern League. Daytona moved into the post-season in style after a combined No-Hitter on Tuesday locked up a division title. Boise moved into a first place tie with four games left to play, while the AZL Cubs are a game out of a playoff spot with one game left in the season. Along with a recap from your Dominican Summer League division champions, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/26/13
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/26/13 The intensity has ramped up as we move into the final week of the minor league regular season. Tennessee moved closer to clinching a playoff spot as Javier Baez continued to wreak havoc in the Southern League. Daytona looked like an unstoppable force once the weather let up and Kris Bryant was unleashed. Kevin Encarnacion and Justin Marra have helped move Boise into a first place tie, while Kane County and Iowa also experienced some successes. For … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/22/13
The minor league season is coming down to the wire as Tennessee had a winning streak snapped but reduced their magic number in the Southern League. Daytona continues to maintain a five game lead in the Florida State League with fourteen games left to play. Boise and the AZL Cubs are fighting for their playoff lives, as they are two and three games out of first place respectively. The DSL Cubs are clinging to a two game lead with four games on the schedule, while Iowa can only play out the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/19/13
The Cubs’ affiliates had a decent end of the week. Boise pulled to within a game of first place with help from Carlos Penalver. Kane County posted a couple of wins, while Iowa received an excellent spot start from Casey Coleman. Tennessee kept its grip on first place thanks to Javier Baez and two game winning home runs. Both Kris Bryant and Dan Vogelbach have settled in well and are contributing to Daytona’s playoff push. To see how it all went down, check out today’s Down on the Farm Report. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/12/13
The Cubs’ farm system went streaking at the end of the week. Kris Bryant ran his hitting streak to 15 games while the Boise Hawks won three games in a row. Iowa posted five consecutive victories and enjoyed a 13 game hit streak from Jae-Hoon Ha. Daytona broke their streak of being rained out as they got enough of a break in the weather to win two in a row. Kane County notched a couple of wins while Tennessee also won two out of three games. And Kyle Hendricks did not disappoint in his … [Read more...]