Minor League Preview – Low-A South Bend Cubs The second installment of a series previewing the 2015 minor league season focuses on the South Bend Cubs. And 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. Click here for the Cubs’ minor league camp … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/26/14
Position Analysis – Low-A South Bend Pitching Staff The CCO’s off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system continues today. After viewing the possible pitching staff for Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee, and High-A Myrtle Beach, we now look at the prospects for Low-A South Bend. Low-A South Bend Starters and Relievers A third wave of pitching prospects is getting set to arrive at another new affiliate, the South Bend Cubs. Heading off the rotation should be the Cubs’ second round … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/18/14
Position Analysis – High-A Myrtle Beach Pitching Staff The CCO’s off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system continues today. After viewing the possible pitching staff for Triple-A Iowa and Double-A Tennessee, we now look at the pitching prospects for High-A Myrtle Beach. High-A Myrtle Beach Starters and Relievers A rotation that may go eight deep and a staff containing the remnants of the Florida State League runners-up and members of the Midwest League Champions, the pitching squad for … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on Farm Report – 09/02/14
An 829-game minor league regular season ended Monday with three teams from the Cubs’ system making the playoffs: The Daytona Cubs, the Kane County Cougars, and the Boise Hawks. It took the final days of the season before Daytona and Boise could lay claim to the post-season, thanks to the efforts of hot-hitting shortstops Marco Hernandez and Gleyber Torres. Kane County had the best record in the minor leagues as the Cougars received excellent pitching performances in the final days from Tyler … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/25/14
With one week to go in the minor league season, streaking is what seems to be the trend in the Cubs’ system. Kane County was winners of 13 straight thanks to excellent pitching from Jonathan Martinez, Tyler Ihrig, and Ben Wells. Both Daytona and Kyle Schwarber went on a five game roll, with the first round pick belting six home runs over that span. Boise won three in a row, including the debut of second round pick Jake Stinnett. Meanwhile, Iowa has been going in the opposite direction, losing … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/21/14
Bombs Away! The Cubs’ minor league system went on a spat of home run hitting as 16 players hit a total of 20 homers over 20 minor league games. Iowa received “big flies” form Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Chris Valaika, Logan Watkins, and Eli Whiteside. Addison Russell, Jorge Soler, and Christian Villanueva went deep for Tennessee, while Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber, Rock Shoulders, and Dan Vogelbach left the park for Daytona. Kane County got homers from Cael Brockmeyer, Jeimer Candelario, and … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/14/14
Top of the heap is the best way to describe the Cubs’ farm system, with three teams in first place and three more in second place. Iowa slid to a half game back without stars Javier Baez and Kris Bryant, who were at the Futures Game. Tennessee used the muscle of Jorge Soler to retain their claim on first, while Daytona received homers from Billy McKinney and Chadd Krist to remain tied for first. Kane County continued to steamroll their way through the Midwest league thanks to Jeimer Candelario. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/10/14
Success is beginning to show itself from top to bottom in the system as Boise moved to within one game of first place and are poised to join Iowa, Tennessee, Daytona, Kane County, and the AZL Cubs as the other first place teams in the system. Outfielder Rashad Crawford is leading the way for the Hawks, while RHP Paul Blackburn continued his dominance for Kane County. Daytona continues to be led by Albert Almora, with Rock Shoulders beginning to heat up. Tennessee took a step back from all of … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/07/14
As the saying goes “You can’t tell the players without a scorecard.” There was plenty of movement in minor leagues to end the week, as there was the usual roster shuffling along with a big trade. Tennessee said hello to new prospect INF Addison Russell and welcomed back to OF Jorge Soler. Outfielder Billy McKinney met some new teammates in Daytona, while Chris Rusin and possibly more are leaving Iowa for the big leagues. Kris Bryant and Javier Baez continued hitting longballs and went yard in … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – Rookie, Class-A Affiliates – 06/30/14
Winning is in the forefront to end this past week as the Cubs’ organization can boast of four first place teams. First place Kane County completed a three-game sweep of Beloit and are on a five game win streak thanks to exploits of Kyle Schwarber and Cael Brockmeyer. First place Daytona won three out of four and swept Lakeland with the hot hitting of Albert Almora and Dan Vogelbach. And finally, the AZL Cubs are tied for first place while seeing the professional debuts of many of the 2014 … [Read more...]