There were several moves involving Cubs’ minor league players announced Monday. RHP Trey McNutt signed a minor league contract with the Padres. The Cubs released OF Kevin Encarnacion, LHP Carlos A. Rodriguez, 3B Carlos Jimenez and OF Kevin Brown. And INF Wes Darvill signed with a new team. Trey McNutt was the Cubs top pitching prospect just four years ago. McNutt was one of the top five prospects in the system in consecutive years (2011, 2012) before injuries derailed his career. McNutt … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/29/15
Position Analysis – Left Field The position analysis series moves from the infield to the outfield, first up one of the corner spots. Today, the CCO takes a look at a position that has a lot of promise: Left Field. Left Field It was a mixed bag for the Cubs in left field at the Major League level as they used Chris Coghlan, Chris Denorfia, and Junior Lake at the position until they finally decided to bring up 2014 first round draft pick Kyle Schwarber and played him there. The 2016 season … [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 – 09/04/15
The week ended in extremes as Eugene held on to a first place lead with big pitching performances from Justin Steele and Oscar De La Cruz. South Bend’s reshuffled line-up produced a blow out win and a big game from Angelo Amendolare. Myrtle Beach and Tennessee are the home of two hitting leaders as Chesny Young and Willson Contreras look to take home their respective league’s batting crown. And Iowa fell out of playoff contention despite the efforts of Mike Baxter. So get the lowdown as … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/02/15
The week started with a very hot South Bend team as Jeffrey Baez was Grand and Rashad Crawford also went deep. Tennessee experienced highs and lows with Bijan Rademacher leading the way. Iowa played marathon baseball as Emilio Bonifacio ran wild, while Myrtle Beach ended on a sour note despite the efforts of Tyler Skulina. And our congratulations on a fine season to the AZL Cubs. The devil is in the details, which are in today’s Down on the Farm Report. Short Season Class-A – Eugene … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/31/15
Put all that anticipation of September call-ups on hold as the Iowa Cubs are back in playoff contention with a weekend sweep thanks to John Andreoli, Javier Baez, and newcomer Emilio Bonifacio. Tennessee also is on a roll, wining five straight with fine pitching from Andres Santiago and Pierce Johnson. Eugene had a rough weekend but maintained their first place lead on the bat of Ian Rice and pitching of Carson Sands. Myrtle Beach won in walk-off fashion courtesy of Jason Vosler, and Jeffrey … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/28/15
The end of the week saw another affiliate move into first place, as Eugene used a dominant performance by Oscar De La Cruz to move into the top spot. Iowa continued to roll with the lightning and thunder of John Andreoli and Javier Baez, while Tennessee was able to grind away thanks to the bat of Willson Contreras. Myrtle Beach and the AZL Cubs had to dodge the raindrops, and South Bend just couldn’t put it together despite the effort of Tommy Thorpe. As the playoff races get tighter, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/26/15
Another star is rising out west as Eloy Jimenez is turning his potential into production for Eugene. Meanwhile, South Bend got a gutty performance from Erick Leal, and Jen-Ho Tseng set a career high for Myrtle Beach. In Tennessee, Willson Contreras continues to be a rock in the line-up, and Javier Baez is still streaking in Iowa. All of the early week storylines play out today in Down on the Farm Report. Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (32-32) Due to technical difficulties, the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/24/15
Twenty-five games over .500! That’s the record of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans as they went home run happy over the weekend, with Ben Carhart leading the way. Iowa also caught the home run bug as five members left the yard this weekend, with a game-winner by Adron Chambers. Tennessee had to dodge the raindrops as Jacob Hannemann stayed on a roll, while South Bend salvaged a game with home runs from Charcer Burks and David Bote. With scores from the rookie league and the conclusion of the … [Read more...]