Position Analysis – High-A Pitchers The CCO’s off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system continues today. After viewing the possible pitching staff for Triple- and Double-A, we now look at the prospects for High-A. With a rotation that can go eight to nine deep, the pitching squad for Myrtle Beach in 2017 may turn out to be very special. High-A Starters and Relievers The 2015 draft provided several high-end pitching prospects. The foremost of these was eighth round pick Preston … [Read more...]
Myrtle Beach Pelicans Punch Ticket to Playoffs
Myrtle Beach Pelicans clinch playoff berth … Cubs High-A affiliate Myrtle Beach versus Red Sox in Southern Division Championship Series The Myrtle Beach Pelicans will have an opportunity to defend the team’s Carolina League Championship. High-A Myrtle Beach clinched a berth in the 2016 Carolina League Playoffs thanks to the Pelicans’ 2-1 victory over Carolina at Five County Stadium and Winston-Salem's 2-0 loss to Frederick at NYMEO Field at Harry Grove Stadium on Wednesday night. This … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/17/15
Pitching Analysis – Low-A South Bend The CCO’s off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system continues today. After reviewing the pitching staffs for Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee, and High-A Myrtle Beach, we now look at the pitching prospects from Low-A South Bend. Low-A Starters and Relievers With all of the high profile pitching prospects a level above or below him, it is easy for Trevor Clifton to get lost in the shuffle. The Tennessee high school player was the 12th round … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/07/15
Happy Labor Day! The traditional last day of the minor league season will see us back where we started as Eugene completed their season falling one game short of the playoffs despite the hot hitting of P.J. Higgins. Both Myrtle Beach and Tennessee are creating a buzz as Willson Contreras could take home a batting championship for the Smokies, while the Pelicans are going to the playoffs with their own hitting champ Chesny Young. South Bend will put their first season as a Cubs’ affiliate … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/31/15
Put all that anticipation of September call-ups on hold as the Iowa Cubs are back in playoff contention with a weekend sweep thanks to John Andreoli, Javier Baez, and newcomer Emilio Bonifacio. Tennessee also is on a roll, wining five straight with fine pitching from Andres Santiago and Pierce Johnson. Eugene had a rough weekend but maintained their first place lead on the bat of Ian Rice and pitching of Carson Sands. Myrtle Beach won in walk-off fashion courtesy of Jason Vosler, and Jeffrey … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/26/15
Another star is rising out west as Eloy Jimenez is turning his potential into production for Eugene. Meanwhile, South Bend got a gutty performance from Erick Leal, and Jen-Ho Tseng set a career high for Myrtle Beach. In Tennessee, Willson Contreras continues to be a rock in the line-up, and Javier Baez is still streaking in Iowa. All of the early week storylines play out today in Down on the Farm Report. Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (32-32) Due to technical difficulties, the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/24/15
Twenty-five games over .500! That’s the record of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans as they went home run happy over the weekend, with Ben Carhart leading the way. Iowa also caught the home run bug as five members left the yard this weekend, with a game-winner by Adron Chambers. Tennessee had to dodge the raindrops as Jacob Hannemann stayed on a roll, while South Bend salvaged a game with home runs from Charcer Burks and David Bote. With scores from the rookie league and the conclusion of the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/19/15
Rain and scheduling resulted in a diminished amount of action in the Cubs’ minor league system to start the week. Eugene was able to rally thanks to timely hitting from Alex Bautista, Adonis Paula, and Eloy Jimenez. Meanwhile, South Bend made some noise as Jeffrey Baez, Ian Happ and David Bote led them to victory. Tsuyoshi Wada had a quality start for the Iowa Cubs, while Danny Spingola and Chris Pieters were swinging hot bats for the AZL Cubs. While lacking in volume, today’s Down on … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/14/15
With pennant races for the Cubs organization extending down throughout the minor leagues, the balls are now flying out of the park. Andrew Ely and Ian Rice went downtown for Eugene, while Matt Rose and Ian Happ came up big for South Bend. Jason Vosler continues to surprise with his power output for Myrtle Beach, and Jacob Rogers belted his first for Tennessee. And Arismendy Alcantara and Tommy La Stella each had big flies for Iowa. So bring your mitt and watch out for fly balls while … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/10/15
With the end of the season just weeks away, several of the Cubs’ affiliates are trending in the right direction. Iowa is four games out of first place as Felipe Paulino and Carlos Pimentel pitched back-to-back gems. Tennessee has a new version of the “Bash Brothers”, as Willson Contreras and Jeimer Candelario have slugged the Smokies to victory. As usual, pitching is the story in Myrtle Beach as Jeremy Null, Paul Blackburn, and Brad Markey all had good outings. James Norwood and Jake Stinnett … [Read more...]