The Cubs made several roster moves in the minor leagues Thursday, the most notable was the promotion of OF Billy McKinney to Double-A Tennessee. Billy McKinney more than earned the move from High-A Myrtle Beach to Double-A Tennessee. The 20-year old outfielder was recently named the Carolina League Player of the Week after a sensational nine-game stretch. Between May 4-10, McKinney was 13-for-30 with four doubles, two triples, a home run, nine runs scored, 12 RBI, eight walks and two … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – Tennessee Smokies Preview
Minor League Preview – Double-A Tennessee Smokies The fourth installment of a series previewing the 2015 minor league season focuses on the Tennessee Smokies. 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. Click here for the Cubs' minor league camp rosters. Double-A – Tennessee Smokies Tennessee has been one of the … [Read more...]
Cubs 2015 Spring Training Preview: First Base
With several spots up for grabs and a lot of young players on the cusp of the majors, first base is one of the spots with no competition going into Spring Training. However, a lot does ride on the player who will man it all year so let’s take a look at what we can expect this spring. After a rough first full season, Anthony Rizzo had a lot of critics going into last year. Those critics were silenced as Rizzo broke out and posted a line of .286/.386/.527 with 28 doubles, 32 home runs, 78 RBI, … [Read more...]
Cubs Notes from Down on the Farm – 01/07/15
A player that is performing under the radar that may have some impact on the Cubs’ Major League roster is Jonathan Herrera. Signed to a minor league contract this off-season, the 30- year old infielder is a six year Major League veteran, playing with Colorado and Boston. A switch-hitter, Herrera has a career batting average of .263. But more importantly, Herrera has a .324 career on-base percentage, something that the front office wants to improve on. In the field, Herrera is more than … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/31/14
Position Analysis – Third Base The fourth installment of the off-season series to summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis focuses on at a position which will probably be the most anticipated by Cubs’ fans for 2015: Third Base. Third Base Probably even more anticipated than the coming of infielder Javier Baez last season will be when everybody’s All-Everything Kris Bryant makes his first appearance as a member of the Chicago Cubs at some point in … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/10/14
Position Analysis – First Base A series of reports over the off-season will summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis. Today, the CCO looks at a position that was once a strength in the organization but now has some questions: First Base. First Base For the second straight season, the Cubs decided against having a prospect at Triple-A when they left Justin Bour unprotected, and he was selected in the Rule 5 draft. In his place, the Cubs used … [Read more...]
Cubs Prospects Interview with Tennessee Smokies Broadcaster Mick Gillispie
The biggest jump for a young player is from High-A to Double-A and Mick Gillispie has seen several of the prospects in the Cubs system make the successful transition to the higher level of minor league ball. Mick Gillispie has been the voice of the Tennessee Smokies since 2007 and has called Cubs Spring Training games with Len Kasper on Cubs.com since 2011. Mick not only saw the first half of Kris Bryant’s tremendous season but the addition Addison Russell to the organization and the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on Farm Report – 09/02/14
An 829-game minor league regular season ended Monday with three teams from the Cubs’ system making the playoffs: The Daytona Cubs, the Kane County Cougars, and the Boise Hawks. It took the final days of the season before Daytona and Boise could lay claim to the post-season, thanks to the efforts of hot-hitting shortstops Marco Hernandez and Gleyber Torres. Kane County had the best record in the minor leagues as the Cougars received excellent pitching performances in the final days from Tyler … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/28/14
It’s getting down to the nitty-gritty as Boise is still fighting for a playoff spot while welcoming its newest addition, shortstop Gleyber Torres. Daytona’s magic number is down to one as the red-hot Bijan Rademacher has carried the D-Cubs of late. Tennessee remains in the hunt with a crucial weekend series on the horizon. The Smokies will be looking for Addison Russell to come back from injury to lead them to the post-season. Meanwhile, Kane County tied a franchise record for wins behind the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/18/14
The playoffs are looming in the minors and both Daytona and Tennessee moved into first place over the weekend. Iowa slipped into second as they continued to lose players to the Major League team. Kane County continued to find new and interesting ways to win games, while Boise looks like it is ready to go on a roll. There are too many details to do an introduction any justice, so you need to open today’s Down on the Farm Report to read how the players and teams performed. … [Read more...]