According to Baseball America, RHP Nick Struck and OF Reggie Golden were among the minor league players released prior to the end of Spring Training as the front office assembled the minor league rosters. Nick Struck was the Cubs’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2012 after posting a 14-10 record in 28 games, 26 starts, for Double-A Tennessee with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Struck struggled in the fall league and did not pitch well as a non-roster invitee to Major League Spring Training … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/17/14
Minor League Preview: Low-A Kane County and High-A Daytona Top o’ the Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the second of a three part installment previewing the 2014 minor league season. 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. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/31/13
Position Analysis The CCO’s off-season look at each position in the Cubs’ farm system continues today. The series of articles to summarize and project how the organization stacks up on a position by position basis has already examined all four infield positions, catcher, left field and centerfield. Up next is right field, a position that has some of the most interesting players in the system. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/19/13
Special Assignment – Kane County Cougars v. Peoria Chiefs I had the pleasure of being able to cover the final series of the season between the Kane County Cougars and Peoria Chiefs. I’d like to thank Shawn Touney, Director of Public Relations and the Kane County Cougars. I’d also like to mention reporter Mike Knapp of the Beacon News, who has been an excellent resource, a great baseball conversationalist, and was a welcoming presence in the press box, as well as Kevin Druley of the Kane County … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/05/13
The Daytona Cubs are the FSL North Champions and are Florida State League Championship Series bound after Wednesday’s 4-0 victory over the Dunedin Blue Jays. The D-Cubs swept the best of three series behind excellent pitching. After Corey Black dominated in game one, C.J. Edwards struck out eight batters over five no-hit innings on Wednesday. Ryan Searle closed out the two-hit shutout with four scoreless frames. C.J. Edwards picked up his first win in the Cubs organization. Kris Bryant … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/02/13
Happy Labor Day to everyone from the CCO! As the minor league season entered its final weekend, both the Iowa Cubs and the AZL Cubs were eliminated in their desperate attempts to make the playoffs. Meanwhile in Tennessee and Daytona, both teams are preparing for post-season as the bats of Javier Baez and Dustin Geiger have stayed hot. Boise put themselves in a must-win situation for their final two games after being no-hit on Saturday. As for Kane County, the Cougars wrap up their season on … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/29/13
The final days of the minor league season are upon us, and Tennessee, behind a power surge from Javier Baez, has locked up a playoff spot in the Southern League. Daytona moved into the post-season in style after a combined No-Hitter on Tuesday locked up a division title. Boise moved into a first place tie with four games left to play, while the AZL Cubs are a game out of a playoff spot with one game left in the season. Along with a recap from your Dominican Summer League division champions, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/26/13
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/26/13 The intensity has ramped up as we move into the final week of the minor league regular season. Tennessee moved closer to clinching a playoff spot as Javier Baez continued to wreak havoc in the Southern League. Daytona looked like an unstoppable force once the weather let up and Kris Bryant was unleashed. Kevin Encarnacion and Justin Marra have helped move Boise into a first place tie, while Kane County and Iowa also experienced some successes. For … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/22/13
The minor league season is coming down to the wire as Tennessee had a winning streak snapped but reduced their magic number in the Southern League. Daytona continues to maintain a five game lead in the Florida State League with fourteen games left to play. Boise and the AZL Cubs are fighting for their playoff lives, as they are two and three games out of first place respectively. The DSL Cubs are clinging to a two game lead with four games on the schedule, while Iowa can only play out the … [Read more...]
Who’s Behind the Dish?
The recent injury to Cubs’ catcher Dioner Navarro exposed a critical gap in the Cubs’ minor league system, the lack of quality catching prospects. Team president Theo Epstein said that three players have been targeted to convert to catcher to improve the system’s overall depth. But which players have the front office targeted? … [Read more...]