Position Analysis – Left Field The sixth installment of the off-season series to summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position-by-position basis focuses on left field. Left Field With the parent club seemingly set in the outfield having veterans Chris Coghlan, Justin Ruggiano, and Ryan Sweeney joining Arismendy Alcantara and Jorge Soler, it looks as though Junior Lake will be crowded out. Lake’s hold on the big leagues seems even more tenuous with the organization’s … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 02/18/13
Five Players to Watch: Rookie and Short Season-A Ball This is the first in a series of articles highlighting some of the players not noted on off-season prospect lists. The players are listed in alphabetical order, and as they are presently listed on official rosters. Inclusion in this list does not necessarily reflect where each player will start the season. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 01/14/13
The ups and downs that are part of a baseball season blew their way through the winter league playoffs this past week. Esmailin Caridad pitched well as his team lost a series. Luis Valbuena’s good games didn’t seem to coincide with his team’s victories while Junior Lake, Nelson Perez and the rest of the Estrellas de Oriente just couldn’t get untracked. Meanwhile, starting pitching continued to shine with good efforts by Alberto Cabrera and Ryan Searle. … [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 – 06/07/12
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...]