Position Analysis – High-A Pitchers The CCO’s off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system continues today. After viewing the possible pitching staff for Triple- and Double-A, we now look at the prospects for High-A. With a rotation that can go eight to nine deep, the pitching squad for Myrtle Beach in 2017 may turn out to be very special. High-A Starters and Relievers The 2015 draft provided several high-end pitching prospects. The foremost of these was eighth round pick Preston … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/21/16
The winter leagues had a sparse week as we head into the holiday season. With a breakout performance by Ian Happ, Mesa was able to claim the Arizona Fall League Championship. James Farris was also vital for the Solar Sox down the stretch. Meanwhile, Corey Black and Yasiel Balaguert were top performers in the Roberto Clemente League. With the long and short of it, take a look inside today’s Down on the Farm Report. Arizona Fall League The start of the final week of the season started … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/14/16
Relief pitching took center stage this past week in the winter leagues as Corey Black has thrust his name back into the spotlight with two saves in the Roberto Clemente League. Greyfer Eregua and Armando Rivero were also successful in Venezuela, while Ryan McNeil, Stephen Perakslis, and James Farris all had good weeks in the Arizona Fall League. Along with action from the Dominican Winter League, the Down on the Farm Report is ready to close with a flourish. Arizona Fall League In a close … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/07/16
While the celebrations for The World Series Champions continued in Chicago, James Farris and Eloy Jimenez were representing the Cubs in the Arizona League’s Fall Stars game. Juan Perez was steady in the Dominican Republic. Yasiel Balaguert provided production in Puerto Rico. And in Venezuela, Gerardo Concepcion and Greyfer Eregua turned in good pitching performances. And remember in all the joy Cubs fans: Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow. The Down on the Farm Report brings tomorrow into … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/31/16
Happy Halloween! With the start of the Roberto Clemente League in Puerto Rico, all of the Caribbean leagues are now in play, as Yasiel Balaguert lit it up for Carolina. Relief pitchers Greyfer Eregua and James Farris are emerging in Venezuela and the Arizona Fall League, with Juan Perez off to a good start in the Dominican Republic. With more scores and highlights, come inside today’s Down on the Farm Report. Arizona Fall League Mesa was quick out of the box last Monday in beating Surprise … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/24/16
While the Cubs were busy beating the Dodgers in the NLCS and earning the National League Pennant, the rest of the system remained hard at work. The Dominican Winter League opened with Stephen Fife pitching a gem. Bryant Flete remained hot for Zulia in the Venezuela, and Christian Villanueva put on quite a show in Mexico. Meanwhile in Arizona, pitchers Ryan McNeil and James Farris continued to impress. But the big story was the return to action of Kyle Schwarber. All the details are inside … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/14/16
It’s time again to start baseball’s second season as the Arizona Fall League is underway with strong performances by Stephen Perakslis and James Farris. They have also been playing in Venezuela, with Bryant Flete dominating the action. The Mexican Pacific League also got started this week, marking the return of Christian Villanueva. So once again, join us in the world of the Tiburones, Criollos, Estrellas, and those Yaquis as Down on the Farm Report ventures to the Caribbean. Arizona Fall … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/18/16
Entering the third week of the minor league season, all four Cub affiliates are struggling in some fashion. South Bend has the best record at 5-5, thanks to the efforts of outfielder Donnie Dewees and reliever Greyfer Eregua. Myrtle Beach snapped a four game losing streak on the hot bats of Jason Vosler and Rashad Crawford. Meanwhile, Bijan Rademacher and Willson Contreras were still the hitting stars for Tennessee and Iowa respectively. To see how your favorites have performed, take a look … [Read more...]
Cubs Highlights from Down on the Farm
There were several individual performances Saturday that stood out in the Cubs’ system. Willson Contreras, Albert Almora Jr., Dan Vogelbach and John Andreoli paced the offense in Iowa’s first win of the season over Round Rock. Jeimer Candelario played first base for Double-A Tennessee. And Donnie Dewees reached base two more times. Here are some of the highlights from Saturday’s games and updates on several prospects a week and a half into the minor league season. • Willson Contreras … [Read more...]
The CCO Talks Cubs Catching Prospects on South Bend Cubs Radio
On Wednesday, the CCO’s very own Tom U gave the final of a five-week series of interviews talking minor league prospects with South Bend Cubs play-by-play man Darin Pritchett and Rick Carter on WSBT in South Bend’s Sportsbeat program. This past Wednesday’s program addressed the catching prospects in the Cubs’ system as well as potential relief pitchers for the South Bend Cubs. Here are some excerpts from that interview. Darin Pritchett: Let’s talk about the catching position. I’m not sure … [Read more...]