The Cubs made another deal to acquire a reliever Friday. The Cubs traded minor league infielder Frandy Delarosa to the Texas Rangers for right-handed reliever Spencer Patton. With the addition of Patton, the Cubs’ 40-man roster stands at 33 players. Spencer Patton turns 28 years old in February and is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. Patton has appeared in 36 games, all in relief, over the past two seasons for the Rangers. Patton was 1-1 in 27 games this past season with a 9.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/15/15
Position Analysis - Shortstop Even with three shortstops on the Major League roster there is still a lot of talent at the position throughout the organization. Next up in the position analysis series is a look at the other shortstops in the Cubs system. Shortstop There was a changing of the guard at the Major League level, and former All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro was moved to second base in order to shore up the defense. In his place, rookie Addison Russell displayed Gold Glove ability. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/05/15
Position Analysis – Second Base Next up in the position analysis is second base, a position that became a little tarnished, but still holds a lot of potential. Second Base Problems developed at second base for the Major League level almost before the season began after Javier Baez could not secure a roster spot in the spring, and was sent to Triple-A. Shortly after the season began, off-season acquisition Tommy La Stella went down with an injury. After a couple of weeks, the parent club made … [Read more...]
Cubs 2015 Instructional League Roster
Baseball America posted the Cubs roster for the upcoming Instructional League that begins on Sept. 21. And the roster features several of the organization’s top prospects as well as recent International free agent signings. RHP Dylan Cease, LHP Carson Sands, LHP Justin Steele, LHP Bryan Hudson and RHP Oscar De La Cruz are among the pitchers that will participate in fall instructs. Dylan Cease, 19, appeared in 11 games and made eight starts for the AZL Cubs less than a year after undergoing … [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 – 08/21/15
The end of the week saw some highs and lows throughout the minor league system as first and second round picks Ian Happ and Donnie Dewees are heating up for South Bend and Eugene respectively. Chesny Young remains on top of the Carolina League in hitting as Myrtle Beach swept a doubleheader, and Jacob Hannemann is on a tear for Tennessee. Iowa remains on the West Coast, with John Andreoli running wild. And both the AZL Cubs and the DSL Cubs are fighting for playoff berths. All the details … [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 – 08/17/15
What is more exciting than a no-hitter? Four pitchers combining for a no-hitter as Preston Morrison, Kyle Twomey, Luis Hernandez, and Trey Masek turned the trick for Eugene on Sunday. Ian Happ is also making noise for South Bend as the first round draft pick banged out two home runs this weekend. Paul Blackburn and Brad Markey were mowing them down for Myrtle Beach, as was Ryan Williams for Tennessee. Iowa also got a great effort out of Carlos Pimentel, while Andri Rondon and Julian Aybar … [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 – 08/12/15
When you’re hot, you’re hot and several of the prospects are on fire. While Albert Almora Jr. of Tennessee and South Bend’s Jeffrey Baez are high profile players scalding the ball, don’t forget Carlos Sepulveda and Robert Garcia with the AZL Cubs, along with Edgar Rondon of the DSL Cubs. But it wasn’t the batters alone that were hot streak. Ryan Williams continues to sizzle for Tennessee, and Jonathan Martinez flirted with a no-no for Myrtle Beach. Meanwhile, Kyle Twomey and Preston Morrison … [Read more...]