Position Analysis – First Base After examining the catching position throughout the organization, it’s time to move to the infield with the next report to summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position-by-position basis. Today, the CCO will look at a position that has a great deal of questions: First Base. First Base Over the past four seasons, Anthony Rizzo has started 615 of a possible 648 games at first base for the Chicago Cubs. Fans better hope that trend … [Read more...]
Four Cubs Land in Baseball America’s Northwest League Top 20 Prospects List
Dylan Cease, Wladimir Galindo, D.J. Wilson, Chris Pieters ranked by Baseball America as four of the top 20 prospects in the Northwest League Baseball America has ranked the top prospects for each level and every league in the minor league system. And on Thursday, Baseball America released its ranking of the Top 20 Prospects for the Northwest League. The Eugene Emeralds, the Cubs Short-Season Class-A affiliate, won the Northwest League Championship this past season. It was the first title … [Read more...]
Four Cubs Prospects Named Northwest League All-Stars
OF Robert Garcia, DH/OF Chris Pieters, RHP Jesus Castillo, RHP Michael Knighton named Northwest League All-Stars The Eugene Emeralds, the Short-Season Class-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, announced OF Robert Garcia, RHP Jared Cheek, DH Chris Pieters and RHP Jesus Castillo will represent the Emeralds and the organization in next week’s Pioneer League-Northwest League All-Star Game in Ogden, Utah. LHP Jose Paulino was also named to the Northwest League All-Star team but he will not play in … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/20/16
Midweek saw a light schedule in the minor leagues as Eugene is a game away from qualifying for the playoffs thanks to the hitting of Chris Pieters and the pitching of Oscar De La Cruz. Jonathan Martinez continued to roll in Myrtle Beach, as did Paul Blackburn with Tennessee. Meanwhile, Dakota Mekkes and Marc Huberman had their professional debuts in Arizona. On this day, man first set foot on the moon and the world was given Tom U. Today’s Down on the Farm Report may not match those feats, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/01/16
It was a mixed bag to end the week as South Bend continued their destruction of the Midwest League thanks to pitchers Ryan Kellogg and Preston Morrison. Eugene’s Chris Pieters is quickly making a name for himself and Jonathan Martinez looks back on track for Myrtle Beach. Tennessee is experiencing a surge due to the pitching of Jen-Ho Tseng and Duane Underwood Jr., but Iowa can’t seem to put it together despite the efforts of Jeimer Candelario. And, by the way, check out Zack Short and … [Read more...]
Eugene Emeralds Release 2016 Opening Day Roster
The Eugene Emeralds, the Short-Season Class-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, opens its 2016 season on Friday at home against the Boise Hawks. The Emeralds released its Opening Day Roster. And the first roster of the Ems season is loaded with prospects. RHP Dylan Cease and LHP Bryan Hudson headline the Emeralds’ pitching staff. D.J. Wilson, Kevonte Mitchell and Matt Rose standout on the positon player side along with Chris Pieters, Wladimir Galindo and Robert Garcia. Dylan Cease is widely … [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...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/01/15
Position Analysis – First Base The position analysis series continues with a look at a position that has some questions in the Cubs’ system: First Base. First Base For the third straight season, the Cubs decided against having a prospect at Triple-A and used 10 different players at first base for the Iowa Cubs. Getting the most reps was third baseman Christian Villanueva, who lined up there 35 times. The I-Cubs also used catchers at first base: Taylor Davis 30 times, Taylor Teagarden had … [Read more...]
Cubs 2015 Instructional League Roster
Baseball America posted the Cubs roster for the upcoming Instructional League that begins on Sept. 21. And the roster features several of the organization’s top prospects as well as recent International free agent signings. RHP Dylan Cease, LHP Carson Sands, LHP Justin Steele, LHP Bryan Hudson and RHP Oscar De La Cruz are among the pitchers that will participate in fall instructs. Dylan Cease, 19, appeared in 11 games and made eight starts for the AZL Cubs less than a year after undergoing … [Read more...]