The Cubs lost one player in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, right-handed pitcher Marcos Mateo. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Mateo in the Major League phase of the draft. Mateo has a real chance to stick with the Diamondbacks now that he is healthy. Former Cubs manager Mike Quade left Marcos Mateo in too long for a relief appearance back in 2011 and Mateo was never the same. Mateo missed all of the 2012 season and a majority of the 2013 season recovering from an elbow injury. The Cubs acquired … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/02/13
The end of November is the traditional half way point of the winter leagues and Hermosillo was crowned first half champion of the Mexican Pacific League. Both Junior Lake and Rubi Silva continue to be the hitting stories, while Carlos Pimentel, Yoanner Negrin, and Frank Del Valle all had good outings on the mound. For more details, take a look inside this week’s report. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/25/13
This time of the off-season is filled with hellos and goodbyes. And so it is time to say goodbye to OF Dave Sappelt and RHP Yeiper Castillo, and hello to OF Casper Wells, IF Jeudy Valdez, and RHP’s Paolo Espino and Carlos Pimentel. Both Espino and Pimentel fared well as new members of the organization this past week, as did RHP Yoanner Negrin and OF’s Junior Lake and Rubi Silva. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/18/13
Arizona Fall League MVP Kris Bryant and the Mesa Solar Sox could not seal the deal as they lost in the championship on Saturday. Meanwhile, winter baseball is heating up as reliever Marcus Hatley is on a roll in Mexico and Junior Lake remains hot in the Dominican Republic. The Cubs also added two more to winter rosters as Luis Valbuena and Walter Ibarra began their seasons. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/11/13
The Cubs’ prospects all seem to experience the highs and lows that are part of a baseball season this past week. However, Rubi Silva seems to be his team’s only offensive threat in Puerto Rico, while Junior Lake had an outstanding effort on Thursday. To read all of the highlights, including Arizona Fall League action, take a look inside today’s Down on the Farm Report. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/04/13
With the beginning of the Australian Baseball League on Thursday and the Roberto Clemente League in Puerto Rico in Friday, all leagues are now in play for the winter. Top young stars such as Junior Lake and Rubi Silva made their winter debuts, while Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler and Albert Almora participated in the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game. Plus, Javier Baez was added to the Leones roster of the Roberto Clemente League. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/28/13
The Mesa Solar Sox fell back to earth a bit this past week. But that doesn’t mean that Kris Bryant has cooled off. Bryant continues to dominate in the desert. Outfielder Jorge Soler has also heated up, while Wes Darvill continues to be steady. In the Caribbean, several prospects made their season debuts, including Frank Batista, Jeimer Candelario, Willson Contreras, and Hector Rondon. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/21/13
There were endings and new beginnings this past week. The Mesa Solar Sox said goodbye to their unbeaten streak, while the Fall Instructional League ended. Meanwhile, play began for many Cubs prospects in the Dominican Winter League. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/17/13
Position Analysis The CCO’s off-season look at each position in the Cubs’ system continues today. The series of articles to summarize and project how the organization stacks up on a position by position basis has already looked at the infield and catcher, next up is the outfield starting with left field. … [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...]