Position Analysis – Second Base The third position analysis report stays on the infield and moves to the left. After taking a look at the catchers and first basemen in the Cubs system, today, the CCO focuses on a position that is among the best in the entire system: Second Base. Second Base Like a jackknifed semi on a busy highway during rush hour, the second base position threatens to be the biggest pile-up of talent for the organization unless the front office does something to relieve the … [Read more...]
The CCO’s Top 20 Cubs Prospects – July Update
A flurry of trades and promotions has thrown the Cubs’ Top 20 Prospect list into a whole other direction. The changes have been so radical two more spots were added in order to accommodate all the deserving players. Here then, is a list on how the current prospects rate. 1) Eloy Jimenez, OF (Low-A South Bend Cubs) The accolades continue to pile up for Eloy Jimenez, who is steaming his way toward organizational Player of the Year. The 19-year old has won his second Midwest League Player of … [Read more...]
Cubs Top Prospect Watch – 08/02/16
Cubs Top Prospect Watch After a busy week, the Watch remained stable over the next seven days. But that does not mean the performances were stagnant as Eloy Jimenez and D.J. Wilson were among the hottest players in minor league baseball. Jimenez batted .441 with two homers and 12 RBI in his last 10 games, while Wilson went .486 with a home run and seven RBI over the same span. Along the way, pitcher Oscar De La Cruz was promoted to Low-A South Bend. Here then, is how the top prospects … [Read more...]
Almost Famous: South Bend’s Carlos Sepulveda and Andruw Monasterio
It was a hot and sticky Wednesday in mid-July, as the South Bend Cubs were going through pre-game drills. In the middle of the diamond, two infielders are snapping through plays with youthful exuberance. They are Carlos Sepulveda and Andruw Monasterio, and they are getting reacquainted after a long layoff. As members of the AZL Cubs last season, Sepulveda and Monasterio played 40 games together. But since the end of last season, it appeared that both players were on different developmental … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/20/16
Congratulations to the South Bend Cubs on becoming the First Half Champions of the Eastern Division and securing the best record in the Midwest League! Doubleheaders and extra innings were part of the weekend landscape, with Ian Happ heating up for Myrtle Beach, and John Andreoli in Iowa. Dylan Cease and Bryan Hudson had good starts for Eugene. Back in South Bend, the heroics belonged to Carlos Sepulveda, Ian Rice and Kyle Miller. Along with Dominican League highlights, the Down on the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/13/16
It was not a good way to start a week as the minor league system had to rely on individual achievement rather than team results. Carlos Sepulveda is emerging as a player to notice in South Bend, and Gioskar Amaya is heating up for Myrtle Beach. Chesny Young continues to roll in Tennessee while Willson Contreras remains a force for Iowa. And down in the Dominican Republic, Jonathan Sierra is starting what hopes to be a long and successful career. As the first half of the minor league season … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/25/16
The Cubs minor league system ended the week with three teams on a roll, as South Bend, Myrtle Beach and Tennessee are all enjoying winning streaks. The SB Cubs are hot behind the hitting of Donnie Dewees and Carlos Sepulveda, while Myrtle Beach now has a surging Gleyber Torres and Yasiel Balaguert. Tennessee pitchers Paul Blackburn and Brad Markey continued to shine, as Chesny Young is also on fire. Meanwhile, Iowa has gotten a lift from pitchers Pierce Johnson and Ryan Williams. With … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/14/16
Minor League Preview – Rookie and Short Season A Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the first installment previewing the 2016 minor league season. A brief overall look at the system will precede the team summaries. 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. Overview The pipeline to the majors was a … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 02/22/16
Five Players to Watch: Rookie and Short Season-A Ball This is the first in a series of three articles highlighting some of the players not noted on off-season prospect lists. The Five Players series has identified many players who have gone on to be considered top prospects and Major League players, including Arismendy Alcantara, Jeffrey Baez, Trevor Clifton, Oscar De La Cruz, Marwin Gonzalez, Kyle Hendricks, Armando Rivero, Chesny Young, and Mark Zagunis. The players are listed in alphabetical … [Read more...]
The CCO Talks Cubs Middle Infield Prospects on South Bend Cubs Radio
On Wednesday, the CCO’s very own Tom U gave the third of a five week series of interviews talking minor league prospects with South Bend Cubs play-by-play man Darin Pritchett and Rick Carter on WSBT in South Bend’s Sportsbeat program. Wednesday’s program addressed the middle infield prospects in the Cubs’ system. Here are some excerpts from that interview. Darin Pritchett: This is a fun conversation today, because, we saw at least two really good players in South Bend man the middle … [Read more...]