As we paused this past Thursday to give thanks, the winter leagues saw many comings and goings. However, to answer some concerns of the Cubs Faithful, several pitchers stepped up their games. Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Marco Carrillo, and Jay Jackson were perfect in their starts, while Blake Parker and Oswaldo Martinez continue to mow them down in relief. Meanwhile, infielder Junior Lake had a memorable season debut in the Dominican Republic. To see where some of the prospects are now turning up, … [Read more...]
The Cubs First Interview Is In the Books … and Other News and Notes
Team Epstein completed their first formal interview on Friday for the Cubs managerial position ... current Phillies' bench coach, Pete Mackanin. Mackanin said he enjoyed the interview and described it as "thorough and a little exhausting." According to multiple reports, Mackanin said the interview was comprehensive and Team Epstein did not let him up for air ... they just kept pounding questions at him. Mackanin added that the interview process was similar to the one he went through in Boston … [Read more...]
Rambling While Wondering About the Future
It's Friday, it is time to ramble, and I have enlisted the help of fellow Cubs fan Ben Miraski this week. I thought I could bring some more views to the ramblings edition. Plus, he is not nearly as optimistic as I am. And this column needs some balance every now and again. So, let's get to it. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/18/11
A Daytona pitcher almost tosses a no-no, the Tennessee hitters keep on saying yes-yes, while Iowa fans say Oh, No! And the Cubs top prospect ran his hitting streak to ten games. All in this week's Down on the Farm Report. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/15/09
Here is your end of the week update from our Young Cubs. There was some interesting movement in the transaction log this week. Brandon Guyer couldn't hit his weight at Tennessee so he got sent down to Daytona while Todd Blackford was throwing so poorly in Tennessee that I was surprised that Daytona was as far as he was demoted. Doug Deeds getting demoted to Tennessee was a little surprising, but I think it was more of a numbers situation than anything else; Jake Fox returned this week to … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/14/09
Here is your mid-week update for our Young Cubs. Please check out Iowa's box scores from Tuesday and Wednesday. They scored 33 runs in their last two games...and Jake Fox is back and on a tear. Everything went as planned for Carlos Zambrano on Wednesday. His bullpen session went well and he will make a start for the Daytona Cubs this weekend. Don't forget that you can check out my site at www.youngcubsworld.com for daily updates of the big performers. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/11/09
Here is your end of the week update from the Cubs' Minor League System. The weather cooperated for most of the week and the teams were able to get in most of their scheduled games. With the exception of Daytona, all of the teams are right in the hunt for first place with the Smokies actually tied for a share of the lead in their division. There were a couple of noteworthy injuries over the weekend...one for the I-Cubs and a scary collision in the outfield at Daytona Beach between Tyler Colvin … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/07/09
Here is your mid-week update for our Young Cubs. Two number one picks have really started to heat up for their respective teams. Josh Vitters for the Chiefs and Tyler Colvin at Daytona. Don't forget that you can check out my site at www.youngcubsworld.com for daily updates of the big performers. … [Read more...]
Minor League Report – 06/02/08
The CCO's Minor League Report returns from a long break on the Monday before the 2008 Draft. The Cubs have the 19th pick in the first round on Thursday and the 41st pick as compensation from the Brewers for signing Jason Kendall in the off-season. ESPN is predicting the Cubs will take Alex Meyer, 6'7" right-handed pitcher from Indiana and John Sickels thinks the Cubs will select right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole from California and with the 41st pick first baseman, David Cooper. The draft gets … [Read more...]