Cubs second round of Spring Training roster cuts includes Dakota Mekkes, Trent Giambrone, Mike Zagurski and James Norwood The Cubs announced the second round of roster cut prior to Saturday’s practice game against the Diamondbacks. The Cubs have assigned 15 players to minor league camp, reducing their spring roster from 55 to 40 players. Right-handed pitchers James Norwood, Duane Underwood Jr. and Rowan Wick have been optioned to Triple-A … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 01/05/17
Position Analysis – Low-A Pitchers The position analysis series continues today and shifts to the South Bend Cubs. After viewing the possible pitching staffs for Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee and High-A Myrtle Beach, we now look at the prospects at Low-A South Bend. With South Bend being fed by a pitching staff that nearly led the Northwest League in every category, the future looks rather rosy for fans in Northwest Indiana. Low-A Starters and Relievers Probably the Cubs’ most … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/29/16
Debuts marked the end of the week as pitchers Erling Moreno and Dakota Mekkes made their first appearances for Eugene, and Jose Paulino started for South Bend. Donnie Dewees had a hot start to his Myrtle Beach career, while Tennessee bade good bye to Chris Coghlan and Jorge Soler. With highlights from the Rookie League and the Dominican Republic, the Down on the Farm Report turns that page on another week. Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (29-11) The Emeralds could not solve … [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 Announce Signing of Thomas Hatch, 20 Draft Picks
The Cubs made it official Friday and announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Thomas Hatch, the team’s third round pick (104th overall) of the 2016 draft. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to multiple reports, the Cubs signed Thomas Hatch for $573,900. Overall, the Cubs have signed 21 selections to date in advance of the July 15 signing deadline, including each of the club’s first eight picks in June’s draft: RHP Thomas Hatch, RHP Tyson Miller, RHP Bailey Clark, RHP Chad … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: A Win on the Fourth, A Major Call Up, Lots of Rumors and Draft Signings
Joe Maddon’s team wrapped up the holiday weekend with a win over the Reds and snapped its four-game skid. The Cubs had a tough time in New York against the Metropolitans. Even with dropping four in a row, the Cubs are a first place team. The Cubs will begin play on July 5 with a 52-30 record, a half-game better than the Giants for the best record in the NL and nine full games ahead of the Cardinals in the NL Central. The Cubs .634 winning percentage is tops in baseball. Joe Maddon’s … [Read more...]
First-Year Player Draft Update: Cubs Sign RHP Bailey Clark, RHP Dakota Mekkes
The Cubs have signed two more draft picks, according to Jim Callis. The Cubs agreed to terms with fifth round pick RHP Bailey Clark and 10th round pick RHP Dakota Mekkes. The deadline for teams to sign 2016 draft picks is July 15. The Cubs have reportedly signed seven of the team’s first eight selections (Rounds 3-10) in this year’s draft. According to Jim Callis, the Cubs signed RHP Bailey Clark to an over-slot deal of $450,000. The Cubs slot allotment for the fifth round pick this year … [Read more...]
Cubs Select Seven Pitchers and a Catcher on Second Day of 2016 Draft
Cubs select seven college pitchers and a catcher on second day of 2016 Draft The Cubs spent the second day of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft selecting one college pitcher after the other. The Cubs made eight picks Friday, seven were college pitchers and the lone position player is a left-handed catcher. The Cubs executed a plan and while it might not have the razzle dazzle of Jason McLeod’s previous drafts, the front office selected big, hard throwing college pitchers that project as … [Read more...]