The 2015 Carolina League Champions Myrtle Beach Pelicans were honored and received their rings at Sloan Park prior to Sunday’s Cactus League game between the Cubs and Mariners. The Pelicans won the 2015 Mills Cup Championship last season. And for many of last year’s Pelicans, it was their second championship in as many years. Mark Johnson led Low-A Kane County to the Midwest League Championship in 2014 and High-A Myrtle Beach to the Carolina League Championship last year. Johnson looks to … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/28/15
Position Analysis - Catcher Welcome to the first installment of a series that summarizes and projects how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis. Today, the CCO will look at a position that is moving toward being one of the strongest in the organization: Catcher. Catcher The Cubs have a bona fide star in 2014 first round draft pick Kyle Schwarber. The trouble comes as to where he fits right now at the position. The Cubs have veterans Miguel Montero and David Ross, so … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/09/15
After 830 games in which the Cubs system compiled a 444-386 record, the 2015 minor league regular season has ended for the Cubs’ affiliates. The Cubs had two teams, High-A Myrtle Beach and the AZL Cubs of the Rookie League, make the playoffs. The Cubs also had two players in the organization, Willson Contreras and Chesny Young, win batting championships. The Cubs’ affiliates had 20 All-Stars, 19 players or pitchers of the week, and Carlos Pimentel was named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the … [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 – 08/17/15
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...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/10/15
With the end of the season just weeks away, several of the Cubs’ affiliates are trending in the right direction. Iowa is four games out of first place as Felipe Paulino and Carlos Pimentel pitched back-to-back gems. Tennessee has a new version of the “Bash Brothers”, as Willson Contreras and Jeimer Candelario have slugged the Smokies to victory. As usual, pitching is the story in Myrtle Beach as Jeremy Null, Paul Blackburn, and Brad Markey all had good outings. James Norwood and Jake Stinnett … [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 – 07/29/15
It was a big Tuesday throughout the system for the affiliates. As of press time last night, the Cubs minor league players had nine home runs and recorded three shut outs. It was all the start to what appears to be a memorable week for everyone. In his first start Iowa, Clayton Richard recorded a shutout as did Ivan Pineyro for Tennessee and Jesus Arias in Venezuela. Jonathan Martinez also fired a gem for Myrtle Beach. Javier Baez was activated from the DL prior to Tuesday’s game and he hit … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/24/15
It was a rough middle of the week for the Cubs’ minor league affiliates. Several players kept producing at the plate and on the mound, but the overall win-loss record was not that good. The Cubs promoted first round pick OF/2B Ian Happ to South Bend. And Happ’s new teammate, Jeffrey Baez has not slowed down with the bat or on the bases. Donnie Dewees picked the right time to launch his first home run in pro ball, and it wasn’t a cheap shot. The ball traveled 404 feet. Chesny Young is … [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...]