The ending of another year means the closing of the regular season for the winter leagues. The Dominican Winter League has already begun round-robin play as Manny Ramirez, Frank Batista, Junior Lake, Jeffry Antigua, Jeimer Candelario, and Carlos Pimentel have all made the playoffs. Game winning home runs were the story in Venezuela as both Luis Valbuena and Willson Contreras delivered this past week. Meanwhile Christian Villanueva keeps leaving the park in Mexico while Javier Baez has cooled … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/22/14
It was a busy week leading into the holidays in the winter leagues as most of the Cubs’ prospects currently on rosters saw playing time. It continued to be basehits or strikeouts for Javier Baez as he had a big night Friday in Puerto Rico. Third base prospect Jeimer Candelario made his winter debut for Este in the Dominican Winter League. And Christian Villanueva is among the league leaders in home runs in the Mexican Pacific League, while Yoanner Negrin was dominant in Venezuela. So put … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/08/14
The home run was the big story of week nine in the winter leagues. Manny Ramirez hit number five for Cibaenas, while Arismendy Alcantara drilled his third homer of the winter for Licey in the Dominican League. Christian Villanueva hit a Grand Slam for Obregon in the Mexican League, and Luis Valbuena went deep in Venezuela. With all the scores plus All-Star games in the RCPBL and VWL, see what’s inside today’s Down on the Farm Report. Dominican Winter League Aguilas Cibaenas Cibaenas … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/01/14
The eighth week of the winter season saw the debut of Ivan Pineyro and a scare for Arismendy Alcantara in the Dominican League. Christian Villanueva experienced new positions in the Mexican Pacific League, and John Andreoli held onto the league lead in stolen bases in Puerto Rico. Over in Venezuela, Willson Contreras continued to swing a hot bat and Joseph Ortiz kept refining his game in hopes of landing a bullpen spot this coming season. All this, along with the weekly Manny Ramirez … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/24/14
Cubs’ prospects are contributing to some exciting races in the winter leagues. Cibaenas and Oriente are locked in a struggle for first in the Dominican Winter League with Frank Batista and Manny Ramirez squaring off against Junior Lake and Marcos Mateo. In the Mexican Pacific League, Obregon won the first half title with help from the emerging offense of Christian Villanueva. Meanwhile in the Venezuelan Winter League, Aragua is trying to make some noise as Willson Contreras keeps on … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/17/14
The sun has set on another Arizona Fall League, with C.J. Edwards and Bijan Rademacher putting the exclamation points on their fine performances before the final out. In the Dominican Republic, Manny Ramirez is on a hot streak and Frank Batista continues to impress. While in Puerto Rico, John Andreoli is starting to round into form. Christian Villanueva is figuring larger in his team’s plans in the Mexican Pacific League, and relievers Joseph Ortiz and Loiger Padron remain steady in … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/10/14
Consistency was the key word for week five of winter baseball as many of the Cubs prospects struggled to find the meaning. Two who demonstrated no difficulties were C.J. Edwards and Bijan Rademacher as both remained impressive in the Arizona Fall League. Also welcomed back was Ivan Pineyro, who looked good after having to sit with an arm injury. In the Caribbean, Frank Batista continues to be a pleasant surprise while minor league veterans Jonathan Mota and Marcos Mateo have performed well. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/03/14
Four weeks after the first winter leagues began, we now have all leagues in play with the opening of the Roberto Clemente League and the Australian Baseball League this past week. With new leagues, more Cubs’ prospects started making appearances on rosters such as Javier Baez, Neil Ramirez, John Andreoli, and Jonathan Mota in Puerto Rico while Marco Hernandez popped up in the Dominican Republic. In the Arizona Fall League, Bijan Rademacher continues to make a name for himself while C.J. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/27/14
As winter baseball enters its third week, there were more debuts for Cubs’ prospects. Frank Batista was an instant smash in a starter’s role, as he and fellow pitcher Starling Peralta joined the Dominican Winter League. Christian Villanueva was eased into the Mexican Pacific League, while reliever Alberto Diaz made his first appearance in the Venezuelan Winter League. Continuing to tear things up are Bijan Rademacher and Willson Contreras, as Dan Vogelbach and Jacob Hannemann saw some signs … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/20/14
Good morning! Week two of winter baseball saw the opening of the Dominican Winter League and the re-emergence of familiar veterans Manny Ramirez and Junior Lake, among others. Meanwhile in the Venezuelan Winter League, reliever Loiger Padron remains perfect while swingman Eduardo Figueroa had his ups and downs. As for the Arizona Fall League, Bijan Rademacher continues to impress and starters C.J. Edwards and Ivan Pineyro had good outings. For more details, check out this week’s Down on … [Read more...]