Minor League Preview – Rookie and Short Season-A Ball Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the first of a three part installment previewing the 2013 minor league season. A brief overall look at the system will precede the team summaries. We will be using a new format, discussing each level’s strengths, weaknesses, and things to look for this season. Please note that the previews are based on current roster assignments and anticipated Spring Training success. All assignments, both as … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/12/12
It was an abbreviated schedule to start the week, as everyone took Tuesday off for the Major League All-Star game. Wins were hard to come by, as Tennessee provided the thrills by coming from behind twice behind Greg Rohan, Logan Watkins, and closer Frank Batista. Iowa went off on a winning note due to the hot bats of Alfredo Amezaga, Dave Sappelt, and Josh Vitters. Daytona split a pair, with Arismendy Alcantara at the top of his game; while Boise and Peoria dropped two apiece. Along with … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/05/12
As Independence Day marks the traditional halfway point in the baseball season, the Cubs' affiliates are all hoping for a better second half, as the top five teams were able to only eek out three wins to start the week. Young players are taking some of the spotlight, as Dan Vogelbach and Tim Saunders are impressing in Mesa, while Jeimer Candelario keeps on hitting in Boise. Dustin Geiger remains a player to be reckoned with in Peoria, while Daytona has recently seen a burst from Elieser … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/21/12
The games to start this week were sparse, as All-Star breaks occurred in the Southern, Florida State, and Midwest Leagues. Boise managed their first win, with Jeimer Candelario and Dong-Yub Kim leading the way. Iowa remains inconsistent, but Josh Vitters is still hot. Along with summaries of the All-Star Games, and a recap of action in the Dominican Summer League, here is today's Down on the Farm Report. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/14/12
As the minor leagues hit the halfway point this week, improvement can be seen across the board for the organization. Peoria flirted with the .500 mark as their bullpen of Austin Reed, Felix Pena, Yao-Lin Wang, Sheldon McDonald, Luis Liria, and Hunter Cervenka did most of the heavy lifting. Ronald Torreyes' improvement has been a nice addition to the offense provided by Nelson Perez and Greg Rohan, as Daytona is 8-4 in June. Tennessee's Eric Jokisch may be on his way to becoming the best … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/07/12
While some are still coming down from draft day, there was still baseball taking place in the minor leagues. The Southern League announced their All-Stars, with James Adduci, Justin Bour, Frank Batista, and Kevin Rhoderick representing the Tennessee Smokies. The Dominican Summer League also opened play, with shortstop Luis Acosta putting on an offensive display. Meanwhile, John Andreoli, Arismendy Alcantara, Nelson Perez, and Rubi Silva are heating things up for Daytona. But pitching woes … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/02/12
Minor League Predictions Another year has passed, and once again I will step away from my reporter's role to the less comfortable one of predictor. As for last year's predictions, well... all I can say is that I'll probably never get rich in Las Vegas. The season ahead appears to be an exciting one for fans of the minor leagues. With successes at some of the lower levels last season, contending teams at all levels can be expected this season. So, pull up a chair, grab your cup of coffee, and … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/12/12
Minor League Preview - Rookie and Short-Season A-Ball Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the first of a three-part installment previewing the 2012 minor league season. With a Dominican Summer League team making the playoffs in 2011, a 2011 rookie team narrowly missing the playoffs, and the most celebrated draft class for the Cubs in recent memory; the 2012 rookie and Short Season-A teams figure to garner more attention than ever. Here's how both teams look for the up-coming season. … [Read more...]