Position Analysis – Third Base Fittingly, the fifth installment of the position analysis reports focuses on the hot corner. Today’s report takes an in depth look at a position which remains rich in talent: Third Base. Third Base The 2015 National League Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant followed up a successful first season in the majors with a year that has him in contention for the National League Most Valuable Player for 2016. However, Bryant also saw 69 games in the outfield as well as … [Read more...]
The CCO’s Top 20 Cubs Prospects – May Update
The end of the month two of the minor league season saw more comings and goings in the Cubs’ Top 20 Prospect list. Here then, is a list on how the current prospects rate. All stats and rankings are of Wednesday, June 1. 1) Willson Contreras, C Although there has been some slowing down by Willson Contreras this past month, his numbers are still of an elite prospect. A member of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, the 23-year old is currently hitting .337/.427/.574/1.001 with 12 doubles, two triples, … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs Rock and Other News and Notes
The Cubs resume play tonight in Milwaukee with the first of three against the Brewers at Miller Park. Kyle Hendricks makes the start in the first of a nine-game, three-city trip in nine days that includes a weekend series in San Francisco and concludes next Wednesday in St. Louis. This is a difficult road trip for a team that likes playing outside of Wrigley. The Cubs are 13-3 on the road this season, the top winning percentage in baseball. The Cubs enter play with the most wins (27) and … [Read more...]
Cubs Prospect INF Jason Vosler Earns Carolina League Player of the Week Honors
Jason Vosler named Carolina League Player of the Week Jason Vosler has made a lot of noise with his bat this season. Vosler has gotten off to a very good start and his performance this past week was recognized Monday by the Carolina League. Jason Vosler was named Carolina League Player of the Week (May 9-15). Vosler had an excellent week. The 22-year old infielder recorded multiple hits in four of the Pelicans’ six games and hit .391/.440/.739 for the week. Four of Vosler’s nine hits went … [Read more...]
The CCO’s Top 20 Cubs Prospects – April Update
As we come to the end of the first month of the minor league season, it is time to update the Cubs’ Top 20 Prospect list. Here then, is a list on how the current prospects rate. Take it as a snapshot in time rather than something carved in stone. All stats and rankings are of Wednesday, April 27. 1) Willson Contreras, C There has been no slowing down for Willson Contreras since Spring Training. Playing for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, the 23-year old is currently seventh in the league in … [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...]
Hendricks Rocky Third Time Through Lineup, Cubs Shut Out in Surprise – Rangers 5, Cubs 0
Spring Training Game Twenty-Two – Cubs 0, Rangers 5 WP – Derek Holland (3-1) LP – Kyle Hendricks (0-2) Save – None Kyle Hendricks was touched up the third time through the lineup Wednesday afternoon. Hendricks gave up two runs in the fifth inning while Joe Maddon’s travel team could not string together any hits as the Cubs lost to the Rangers on Wednesday afternoon in Surprise. Kyle Hendricks was sharp through four innings. Hendricks worked well with Tim Federowicz, found a rhythm in … [Read more...]
A Grimm Night for Cubs Bullpen in Goodyear – Indians 10, Cubs 5
Spring Training Game Nineteen – Cubs 5, Indians 10 WP – Corey Kluber (3-0) LP – Justin Grimm (0-1, BS 2) Save – None The Cubs took an early lead against Corey Kluber in front of a record crowd of 11,616 in Goodyear on a RBI single from Kris Bryant. Pierce Johnson pitched four innings of scoreless ball before the bullpen could not find the strike zone. The Indians scored nine runs off Justin Grimm and Neil Ramirez and handed the Cubs a spring loss late Saturday night. The Cubs had six … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 02/29/16
Five Players to Watch: Low-A South Bend and High-A Myrtle Beach Last week, the CCO began the first of the series at looking beyond the Top 20 lists and exploring the other players in the Cubs organization that may have an impact on the Major League club. The Five Players series has identified many minor leaguers who have gone on to be considered top prospects and Major League players later, including Arismendy Alcantara, Jeffrey Baez, Trevor Clifton, Oscar De La Cruz, Marwin Gonzalez, Kyle … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/22/15
Position Analysis – Third Base The position analysis series continues with a look at a position which is still rich in talent after the promotion of the potential National League Rookie of the Year: Third Base. Third Base After everything that has transpired with the Cubs this season, it is hard to believe that Rookie of the Year candidate Kris Bryant was the Opening Day third baseman for the Iowa Cubs. His stint lasted all of seven games before Bryant joined the big league team and set … [Read more...]