Position Analysis – Double-A Pitchers The CCO’s off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system continues today. After viewing the possible pitching staff for Triple-A, we turn to where the first pitching prospects of the current front office mostly reside, the staff for Double-A Tennessee. Double-A Starters and Relievers While the Triple-A pitching staff will be a combination of prospects and fringe Major League players, Double-A will see a consolidation of pitching. Some of Tennessee’s … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/02/16
As we head into the final weekend of the minor league regular season, the Cubs affiliates were still able to excite. Eugene looked to add to their record season on the pitching of Dylan Cease and Manuel Rondon. South Bend also got some great pitching from Jose Paulino, as did Myrtle Beach with both Preston Morrison and Jeremy Null. But the biggest news had to be Chesny Young, who went 7-for-9 to surge ahead in the race for the Southern League batting crown. With all of the details, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/08/16
Sweeps are always nice to have, and identical score make them even more special as Myrtle Beach used the pitching of Erick Leal and Jeremy Null to turn the trick. South Bend had another comeback as the pitching of Pedro Araujo gave them the opportunity. Iowa survived a couple thanks to Dan Vogelbach and Matt Murton, while Tennessee continued to flounder despite good relief work from Starling Peralta and Jose Rosario. Along with highlights for the Dominican Summer League, here is today’s … [Read more...]
Cubs Top Prospect Watch – 05/24/16
Cubs Top Prospect Watch The readers have tripled their pleasure this week as they nominated three wild card entries to the Watch. Here then, is how the top prospects have fared: Willson Contreras (C) - .328/.423/.496/.920, nine doubles, a triple, four home runs, 21 RBI, two stolen bases (Iowa Cubs) Ian Happ (2B/OF) – .273/.380/.435/.815, nine doubles, two triples, four home runs, 24 RBI, six stolen bases (Myrtle Beach Pelicans) Eloy Jimenez (OF) – .338/.376/.583/.913, 12 … [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 – 12/10/15
Pitching Analysis – High-A Myrtle Beach After reviewing the pitching staffs for Triple-A Iowa and Double-A Tennessee, we now look at the prospects for High-A. With a rotation that goes eight deep, the pitching squad for Myrtle Beach in 2015 may be the best class ever produced by the Chicago Cubs. High-A Starters and Relievers Considered to be among the Cubs’ best pitching prospects, Duane Underwood Jr. was the Opening Day starter for the Pelicans. Turning 21 years old in the middle of last … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/07/15
Happy Labor Day! The traditional last day of the minor league season will see us back where we started as Eugene completed their season falling one game short of the playoffs despite the hot hitting of P.J. Higgins. Both Myrtle Beach and Tennessee are creating a buzz as Willson Contreras could take home a batting championship for the Smokies, while the Pelicans are going to the playoffs with their own hitting champ Chesny Young. South Bend will put their first season as a Cubs’ affiliate … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/31/15
Put all that anticipation of September call-ups on hold as the Iowa Cubs are back in playoff contention with a weekend sweep thanks to John Andreoli, Javier Baez, and newcomer Emilio Bonifacio. Tennessee also is on a roll, wining five straight with fine pitching from Andres Santiago and Pierce Johnson. Eugene had a rough weekend but maintained their first place lead on the bat of Ian Rice and pitching of Carson Sands. Myrtle Beach won in walk-off fashion courtesy of Jason Vosler, and Jeffrey … [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 – 08/17/15
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...]