It was an abbreviated start to the week as many of the minor league teams were enjoying some time off during the All-Star break. The teams that were in play seemed to take it on the chin as Tennessee dropped a pair despite four RBI from Jae-Hoon Ha. Daytona had a 13-inning game on Monday with Albert Almora hitting for the cycle. Boise’s Mark Zagunis had his own cycle as the Hawks inched closer to first place. Meanwhile, Kane County had a rarity in losing two in a row as the Cougars said goodbye … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/14/14
Top of the heap is the best way to describe the Cubs’ farm system, with three teams in first place and three more in second place. Iowa slid to a half game back without stars Javier Baez and Kris Bryant, who were at the Futures Game. Tennessee used the muscle of Jorge Soler to retain their claim on first, while Daytona received homers from Billy McKinney and Chadd Krist to remain tied for first. Kane County continued to steamroll their way through the Midwest league thanks to Jeimer Candelario. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/10/14
Success is beginning to show itself from top to bottom in the system as Boise moved to within one game of first place and are poised to join Iowa, Tennessee, Daytona, Kane County, and the AZL Cubs as the other first place teams in the system. Outfielder Rashad Crawford is leading the way for the Hawks, while RHP Paul Blackburn continued his dominance for Kane County. Daytona continues to be led by Albert Almora, with Rock Shoulders beginning to heat up. Tennessee took a step back from all of … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/07/14
As the saying goes “You can’t tell the players without a scorecard.” There was plenty of movement in minor leagues to end the week, as there was the usual roster shuffling along with a big trade. Tennessee said hello to new prospect INF Addison Russell and welcomed back to OF Jorge Soler. Outfielder Billy McKinney met some new teammates in Daytona, while Chris Rusin and possibly more are leaving Iowa for the big leagues. Kris Bryant and Javier Baez continued hitting longballs and went yard in … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – Rookie, Class-A Affiliates – 06/30/14
Winning is in the forefront to end this past week as the Cubs’ organization can boast of four first place teams. First place Kane County completed a three-game sweep of Beloit and are on a five game win streak thanks to exploits of Kyle Schwarber and Cael Brockmeyer. First place Daytona won three out of four and swept Lakeland with the hot hitting of Albert Almora and Dan Vogelbach. And finally, the AZL Cubs are tied for first place while seeing the professional debuts of many of the 2014 … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/23/14
It was all about the First Round Draft Picks as the week ended and the second half began for most of the minor league teams. The Kyle Schwarber-less Boise Hawks have struggled mightily since his promotion, while his new team, the Kane County Cougars, won three out of four as Schwarber hit his first Low-A home run. Last year’s number one pick Kris Bryant has scuffled in a few games but has belted three homers since his promotion. Meanwhile, teammates Javier Baez (2011 first round) had a four RBI … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/19/14
Home runs, promotions and All-Star Games highlighted the first part of the week in the Cubs’ system. Kyle Schwarber hit two homers and was bumped up a level following the game. While Kane County and Tennessee received mid-season breaks, two Smokies that participated in the Southern League All-Star Game received promotions. The D-Cubs broke out of their offensive funk Wednesday with two big flies that included a Grand Slam off the bat of Rock Shoulders after Rob Zastryzny was hung with a tough … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/16/14
The “big fly” played a prominent role to end the week in the minors. First Round pick Kyle Schwarber had two round-trippers for Boise and Justin Marra also went deep as the Hawks began their season. Kane County received homers from Yasiel Balaguert, Jordan Hankins, and Jacob Rogers as the Cougars finished the first half of their season. Taylor Davis was able to deliver a pinch-hit home run for Tennessee, while Javier Baez had a game-winner for Iowa. So look out in the bleachers, as they’re … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/12/14
Big time comebacks were the news Sunday as both Tennessee and Iowa worked their way back from big deficits to prevail. The Smokies have some of the hottest bats in baseball as Kris Bryant, Stephen Bruno, Charles Cutler, Rafael Lopez, and Rubi Silva are all on a roll. The dramatics by Iowa and Tennessee overshadowed the fact that Kane County swept Burlington in a three-game set behind the pitching of Duane Underwood, Jen-Ho Tseng, and Paul Blackburn. Meanwhile, Daytona continued to slog … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/21/14
Pitching was on center stage as Kane County’s Daury Torrez flirted with a perfect game while teammate Duane Underwood allowed only an unearned run in his second start. Daytona’s tough-lock pitcher Felix Pena finally got some run support, but Ivan Pineyro could not say the same for Tennessee. C.J. Edwards picked up his first Double-A win, and Tsuyoshi Wada continued to impress in Iowa. All of this, and more in the Down on the Farm report. … [Read more...]