Position Analysis – Double-A Pitchers The CCO’s off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system continues today. After viewing the possible pitching staff for Triple-A, we turn to where the first pitching prospects of the current front office mostly reside, the staff for Double-A Tennessee. Double-A Starters and Relievers While the Triple-A pitching staff will be a combination of prospects and fringe Major League players, Double-A will see a consolidation of pitching. Some of Tennessee’s … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/04/16
Pitching finally stepped forward as Carson Sands and Ryan Kellogg had good outings for South Bend, while Jake Stinnett and Jonathan Martinez got the job done for Myrtle Beach. Ryan Williams had batters creating divots in front of home plate for Iowa, and the bullpen of Gerardo Concepcion, David Garner and Corey Black shined for Tennessee. For more details, check out today’s Down on the Farm Report. Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (14-10) Back at home on Monday South Bend posted their … [Read more...]
Cubs Highlights from Down on the Farm
There were several individual performances Saturday that stood out in the Cubs’ system. Willson Contreras, Albert Almora Jr., Dan Vogelbach and John Andreoli paced the offense in Iowa’s first win of the season over Round Rock. Jeimer Candelario played first base for Double-A Tennessee. And Donnie Dewees reached base two more times. Here are some of the highlights from Saturday’s games and updates on several prospects a week and a half into the minor league season. • Willson Contreras … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – Minor League Predictions
Minor League Predictions Once again it is time for me to step out of my comfort zone and make some predictions. Every season, I wildly grope to try and make some prescient comments concerning the approximately 300 players that will don a uniform in the Cubs’ minor league system. The upcoming minor league season looks like to be very exciting, with teams expected to challenge for league honors at all levels. Whether some of those players make it to the big leagues will have a lot to do with … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/07/16
Five Players to Watch: Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa Two weeks ago, the CCO began the three-part series that looks beyond the Top 20 prospect lists and explores other players in the Cubs organization that may have an impact on the Major League club. 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, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/10/15
Pitching Analysis – High-A Myrtle Beach After reviewing the pitching staffs for Triple-A Iowa and Double-A Tennessee, we now look at the prospects for High-A. With a rotation that goes eight deep, the pitching squad for Myrtle Beach in 2015 may be the best class ever produced by the Chicago Cubs. High-A Starters and Relievers Considered to be among the Cubs’ best pitching prospects, Duane Underwood Jr. was the Opening Day starter for the Pelicans. Turning 21 years old in the middle of last … [Read more...]
Cubs Prospects Performed Well in the Arizona Fall League
The 2015 Arizona Fall League wrapped up play Saturday when the Scottsdale Scorpions beat the Surprise Saguaros 6-4 to win the Arizona Fall League Championship, the third league title for Scottsdale and first since 2010. Jeimer Candelario had a sensational fall in Arizona and was nominated for Most Valuable Player, an award Kris Bryant won two years ago. The White Sox’s Adam Engel was named MVP and the Brewers’ Yadiel Rivera won the AFL’s Sportsmanship Award. Three Cubs’ prospects were … [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 Prospect Pierce Johnson Shines in Arizona Fall League Outing
RHP Pierce Johnson is considered one of the top pitching prospects in the Cubs’ system. Johnson is spending the fall in Arizona making up innings he missed during the regular season. And it had been a rough go in the Arizona Fall League for Johnson prior to last Thursday. Pierce Johnson completed five shutout innings in a 1-0 loss to the Peoria Javelinas. Johnson allowed five hits, all singles, issued one walk and struck out four. Johnson made 64 pitches, 46 for strikes, in what was by far … [Read more...]
Cubs Prospect Jeimer Candelario Continues to Impress in the Arizona Fall League
Jeimer Candelario was rather impressive last weekend during the Arizona Fall League’s Fall Stars Game, in the field and at the plate, and he’s kept hitting this week in regular season AFL action. Candelario put together a good season with High-A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennessee and one of the top prospects in the Cubs’ system has improved his stock in the Arizona Fall League. Candelario collected three hits in five at bats Monday that included a home run and two runs scored. Tuesday, … [Read more...]