It was a week of comings and goings for Cubs’ prospects as Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Carlos Pimentel made his winter debut in the DWL. In Arizona, catcher Willson Contreras had to be shut down for the rest of the off-season with an injury. Pitching dominated the rest of the leagues as Ryan Buchter has emerged in Mexico. Fernando Cruz is proving invaluable in Puerto Rico, and Armando Rivero had his ups and downs in Venezuela. For the inside story, come inside today’s Down on … [Read more...]
Cubs Prospects Willson Contreras, Corey Black Named to AFL Fall Stars Roster
Two of the Cubs prospects participating in the Arizona Fall League were named to the East Division squad for the Fall Stars Game. C Willson Contreras and RHP Corey Black will represent the Cubs in the Fall Stars Game this Saturday. Willson Contreras has played in 11 games this fall. Contreras is hitting .302/.380/.605 with four doubles, three home runs and a .985 OPS. Contreras has six walks and seven strikeouts in 43 at bats. Corey Black is 1-0 in six relief appearances for the Solar … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/02/15
The Iowa Cubs take center stage for this week as outfielder Adron Chambers and pitcher Armando Rivero made their winter debuts in Venezuela. In Mexico, Christian Villanueva is still shredding LMP pitching while Ryan Buchter is emerging as a reliable closer. And in the Dominican Republic, Arismendy Alcantara remains consistent. In the Arizona Fall League, future I-Cubs Jeimer Candelario and Willson Contreras continue to be a wrecking crew, while pitching is still a concern. With all of the … [Read more...]
Jason McLeod Talks Cubs on Inside the Clubhouse
Jason McLeod, the Cubs Senior Vice President of Player Development and Amateur Scouting, joined Bruce Levine and Jordan Bernfield at the top of the final half hour of Saturday’s Inside the Clubhouse (670 The Score). Jason McLeod talked about Pierce Johnson, David Garner, Carl Edwards Jr., Duane Underwood Jr. and many of the young pitchers down on the farm, plus the importance of versatility and self-scouting. The Cubs Minor League Player of the Year, Willson Contreras, has created quite … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/26/15
With the Cubs’ 2015 season unfortunately in the rear view mirror, the focus now turns to warmer climes where baseball is still being played. Tennessee’s Willson Contreras and Jeimer Candelario remain among the league leaders in the Arizona Fall League. Myrtle Beach reliever David Garner has now joined the Smokies’ duo in putting up good numbers. Christian Villanueva continues to lead the Mexican Pacific League in home runs, and Bryant Flete is among the hitting leaders in the Venezuelan … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/19/15
Welcome to the CCO’s coverage of off-season baseball! In today’s edition we focus on third base and hot starts. Jeimer Candelario is so far taking the Arizona Fall League by storm, while Christian Villanueva has been hard to stop in the Mexican Pacific League. And down in Venezuela, infielder Bryant Flete has not only excelled at the plate, but has demonstrated his versatility. So welcome back to the world of the Solar Sox, the Navegantes, and those Yaquis as Down on the Farm brings you the … [Read more...]
Arizona Fall League Update and News from the Cubs Farm
The Arizona Fall League started Tuesday and the Cubs have eight prospects playing for the Mesa Solar Sox. RHP Corey Black, RHP David Garner, RHP Pierce Johnson, LHP Ron Zastryzny, C/1B Cael Brockmeyer, C Willson Contreras, 3B Jeimer Candelario and OF Mark Zagunis are spending the fall in Arizona with manager Mark Johnson. Mesa is 0-2 after two games with a night game on tap for Thursday. Pierce Johnson got the ball for the Solar Sox on Opening Day. Willson Contreras was behind the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/12/15
Meet the Mesa Solar Sox: Pitchers This is the second of two articles highlighting the players who will be taking part in the 2015 Arizona Fall League, which begins on Oct. 13. The first report focused on the position players and manager Mark Johnson. Today, the CCO will be looking at the pitchers the Cubs have assigned to the Mesa Solar Sox. Corey Black, RHP It will be a make or break performance for 24-year old Corey Black in the Arizona Fall League. Acquired from the New York Yankees at … [Read more...]
The CCO’s Cubs All-Prospect Team – Pitchers
The Cubs system is known for the position players up and down the organization at each affiliate. There is more pitching in the system than is recognized by most publications. Duane Underwood Jr., Carl Edwards Jr. and Pierce Johnson may headline the young arms in the organization while pitchers such as Ryan Williams, Jonathan Martinez, Oscar De La Cruz, Dylan Cease, Justin Steele and Carson Sands, just to name a few, took steps forward in their development. The second of the two-part … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the 2015 Carolina League Champions
Welcome your 2015 Carolina League Champion Myrtle Beach Pelicans! In their first year as a Cubs affiliate, Myrtle Beach ended up with the best regular season record at 81-57 and went through the playoff 5-1, sweeping the Wilmington Blue Rocks 3-0 in the title series to claim the Mills Cup. The deciding game three was not without its drama as the Pelicans had dominant pitching by Duane Underwood Jr. and clutch hitting from Pin-Chieh Chen and Victor Caratini. With all of the happy totals, … [Read more...]