Minor League Preview – Rookie and Short Season A Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the first installment previewing the 2016 minor league season. A brief overall look at the system will precede the team summaries. 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. Overview The pipeline to the majors was a … [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 – 08/26/15
Another star is rising out west as Eloy Jimenez is turning his potential into production for Eugene. Meanwhile, South Bend got a gutty performance from Erick Leal, and Jen-Ho Tseng set a career high for Myrtle Beach. In Tennessee, Willson Contreras continues to be a rock in the line-up, and Javier Baez is still streaking in Iowa. All of the early week storylines play out today in Down on the Farm Report. Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (32-32) Due to technical difficulties, 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 – 08/03/15
With Javier Baez back in the line-up, things are now clicking for the Iowa Cubs as a healthy John Andreoli has also been a big boost to the offense during a four game winning streak. Tennessee drew the spotlight with rehabbing Major Leaguers Tommy La Stella and Miguel Montero, but Jeimer Candelario stole some of their thunder. The Myrtle Beach offense has not been able to match the dominating pitching of Paul Blackburn, Brad Markey and Tyler Ihrig. A red-hot Jeffrey Baez has been carrying … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/31/15
Heroes came from unlikely sources as Myrtle Beach was spurred to victory by home runs from Trey Martin and Carlos Penalver, meanwhile Adbert Alzolay came out of the pen for Eugene to deliver a no-hit performance. Pitching was also in the forefront as excellent efforts were had by Tommy Thorpe of South Bend, Pierce Johnson and Rob Zastryzny of Tennessee, and Iowa’s Felipe Paulino. All the highlights in today’s Down on the Farm Report. Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (20-22) It was … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/27/15
It was a pretty good start to the week for some pitchers from the 2014 draft class. Lefty Tommy Thorpe is not thriving in the rotation for South Bend, while Brad Markey was blowing hitters away for Myrtle Beach. Austyn Willis also had a good outing for the AZL Cubs, and Ryan Williams kept rolling for Tennessee. Iowa squandered a good effort from Jeffry Antigua, and relievers Adbert Alzolay, Trey Masek, and Jae-Hoon Ha were all effective for Eugene. Back from a week of R & R, the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/20/15
Gleyber Torres and Jeffrey Baez continued to pound the baseball for South Bend while Rashad Crawford also heated up at the plate. Myrtle Beach ran their winning streak to six games. Chesny Young set a Carolina League record. Young has reached base safely in 38 straight games. Tennessee received a rare bad outing from Ryan Williams and dropped three games. It was Home Run Derby time at Principal Park as the Iowa Cubs completed a home sweep of the Memphis Redbirds for the first time since … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/17/15
After taking a break for the Major League All-Star game, all of the Cubs’ affiliates look refreshed as there were both big pitching performances and excellent offensive displays to end the week. Eugene was a base hit machine thanks to Ian Happ and Eloy Jimenez, while Yasiel Balaguert and David Bote went deep for South Bend. Tsuyoshi Wada looked sharp for Iowa, but Myrtle Beach got the best of both worlds. The Pelicans’ Jen-Ho Tseng and Jonathan Martinez were in top form while Kevin Brown, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/15/15
It was an abbreviated schedule to start the week due to the Midsummer Classic. Pitching once again was the big news as youngster Junior Marte tossed five innings of no-hit ball for the DSL Cubs. Zach Hedges dominated with seven strikeouts for South Bend, and Paul Blackburn returned from the disabled list with three shutout innings. Meanwhile in Arizona, rehabbing pitchers Trey McNutt and Erling Moreno made some progress. With news from both Eugene and Tennessee, today’s Down on the Farm … [Read more...]