Merry Christmas! Phase Two of the 1060 Project is well underway at the old ballyard. The biggest deliverable for the team this off-season is the new state-of-the-art 30,000 square foot clubhouse. Official updates from Tom Ricketts and Crane Kenney in the last month have indicated Phase Two of the project to restore, renovate and expand Wrigley Field is on schedule. And that includes the Cubs’ brand new clubhouse, which will be ready for Opening Day at Wrigley on April 11. During an … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/07/15
The Cubs had another player welcomed to the world of winter baseball this past week as Javier Baez joined Santurce in Puerto Rico. In the meantime, Arismendy Alcantara remained hot for Licey in the Dominican Republic, while Christian Villanueva continued to devastate Mexican Pacific League pitching. For further details, check out what’s inside today’s Down on the Farm Report. Note: Coverage of the Winter Leagues runs from Sunday to Saturday Dominican Winter League Estrellas de … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/30/15
As we move into the second half of the winter season, Christian Villanueva continues to dominate the Mexican Pacific League. Villanueva leads the league in on-base percentage and is in the top ten in four other categories. Tennessee shortstop Carlos Penalver made his debut in Venezuela, while Arismendy Alcantara and Fernando Cruz continue to excel in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Things will start to get interesting down the stretch, so keep up by taking a look inside today’s … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/19/15
Pitching Analysis – Triple-A Iowa After covering every position in the Cubs’ system, it’s time to move to the position analysis series to pitching side of the organization. Today, the focus is on the pitching staff at the Cubs’ highest minor league level, Triple-A Iowa. Triple-A Starters and Relievers Iowa Cubs: The Cubs’ organization is in a precarious situation with the parent club in need of pitching, but the current front office’s best prospects are still far down the chain. What is left … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/16/15
Hitting streaks and third basemen seem to go together as Christian Villanueva has hit safely in nine straight games in the LMP. Meanwhile, Jeimer Candelario has an eight-game hitting streak and is working his way into the conversation of MVP of the Arizona Fall League. In Venezuela, Armando Rivero is beginning to assert himself as a bullpen force as he has helped his Aragua Tigers attain first place. There’s even more news from the winter leagues, if you just look inside today’s Down on … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/09/15
It was a week of comings and goings for Cubs’ prospects as Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Carlos Pimentel made his winter debut in the DWL. In Arizona, catcher Willson Contreras had to be shut down for the rest of the off-season with an injury. Pitching dominated the rest of the leagues as Ryan Buchter has emerged in Mexico. Fernando Cruz is proving invaluable in Puerto Rico, and Armando Rivero had his ups and downs in Venezuela. For the inside story, come inside today’s Down on … [Read more...]
Cubs Prospect Willson Contreras Makes Baseball America’s 2015 All-Star Team and News from the Farm
Baseball America posted its Minor League All-Star Team for 2015 last Wednesday and Cubs catching prospect, Willson Contreras was named to the squad. Willson Contreras joined 1B A.J. Reed (Astros), 2B Brandon Drury (Diamondbacks), 3B Ryan McMahon (Rockies), SS Corey Seager (Dodgers), CF Lewis Brinson (Rangers), OF Max Kepler (Twins), OF Jordan Patterson (Rockies), DH Bobby Bradley (Indians), RHP Jose Berrios (Twins), LHP Matt Boyd (Tigers), RHP Michael Fulmer (Tigers), RHP Jorge Lopez … [Read more...]
The CCO’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2015 – Ryan Williams
Chicago Cubs Online’s post-season minor league awards continue today with the Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Myrtle Beach utility player Chesny Young was named the CCO Minor League Player of the Year earlier this week. Although there was some excellent pitching at all levels, there was one that stood head and shoulders above the rest, completing an odyssey from obscurity to stardom. The CCO Minor League Pitcher of the Year – RHP Ryan Williams When Chicago Cubs Online first met Ryan … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/09/15
After 830 games in which the Cubs system compiled a 444-386 record, the 2015 minor league regular season has ended for the Cubs’ affiliates. The Cubs had two teams, High-A Myrtle Beach and the AZL Cubs of the Rookie League, make the playoffs. The Cubs also had two players in the organization, Willson Contreras and Chesny Young, win batting championships. The Cubs’ affiliates had 20 All-Stars, 19 players or pitchers of the week, and Carlos Pimentel was named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: Four One-Game Winning Streaks, Big Flies Galore, Awards and Roster Moves
It was a very good Labor Day weekend for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs completed a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks at Wrigley before hitting the road and winning game one in St. Louis behind Dan Haren. Joe Maddon wants his team focused on one day and one game at a time. And he would be happy with a string of one-game winning streaks right now as the Cubs look to nail down a spot in baseball's post-season tournament. Jake Arrieta and Kris Bryant were recognized by Major League Baseball … [Read more...]