The top two middle infield prospects in the Cubs system had big days at the plate Sunday. Javier Baez and Addison Russell both launched home runs, but it might have been the two walks Baez took Sunday that were more impressive than his two-home run performance. Javier Baez went 2-for-3 in Sunday’s loss in Omaha with two home runs and two walks. Baez struck out looking in his final at bat and did not think the called third strike was in the zone. Baez collected homers No. 22 and No. 23 and … [Read more...]
Javier Baez Expected to See More Time at Second Base
Javier Baez made the first start of his pro career Thursday night at second base, a move that many thought would happen shortly after the season began. Due to struggles at the plate, the Cubs did not expose Baez to second base, in game action, until Thursday. Baez was rather impressive at second base while launching his 15th longball of the season (2-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI). Iowa’s skipper, Marty Pevey, addressed Baez’s play at second base following the game and the … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Manny Makes Iowa Debut and Alcantara Just Keeps on Hitting
Manny Ramirez made his Iowa Cubs debut Thursday night in Colorado Springs. Ramirez started the second game of the doubleheader in left field and hit sixth in the lineup behind Kris Bryant. Ramirez now wears No. 44 and reached on an error by the shortstop in his first at bat with Josh Vitters scoring on the play. Ramirez went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Marty Pevey, Iowa’s manager, talked to Manny Ramirez prior to Thursday’s games and reiterated to Ramirez that he is a coach first and a … [Read more...]
Cubs Promote Kyle Schwarber to Kane County and News from Down on the Farm
The Cubs announced Tuesday night that Kyle Schwarber had been promoted to the Kane County Cougars. The Cubs first round draft pick hit the cover off the baseball in a short time in the Northwest League. Schwarber officially signed with the Cubs on June 11. Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-4 with a double and two home runs Tuesday afternoon in what turned out to be his last game with the Boise Hawks. Schwarber played in five games for the Hawks and it will be interesting to see how he handles … [Read more...]
Arrieta’s Rehab Moved to Daytona, Baez Could Return Sunday and Other Cubs News
Happy Easter The Cubs announced Saturday that Jake Arrieta will make his next, and hopefully last, rehab start with the D-Cubs in Clearwater on Monday and not with the I-Cubs as previously reported. Monday forecast in Des Moines did not look favorable, so Arrieta will put on a D-Cubs jersey and face the Threshers (Philadelphia Phillies) in Clearwater’s park. Jake Arrieta threw 82 pitches over 5 2/3 innings in his last rehab start on Wednesday and would like to stretch his pitch count up to … [Read more...]
Arrieta Closing In On Joining Cubs Rotation and Other News and Rumors
According to a report from the Tribune, Jake Arrieta could be close to joining the Cubs’ rotation. Arrieta was scheduled to make his third rehab start on Tuesday but rain cancelled the Smokies game and Arrieta’s start was pushed to Wednesday. Arrieta told Mark Gonzales he would like to make one more rehab outing after Wednesday in order to build his pitch count and work deeper in a game before being activated from the disabled list. Jake Arrieta threw 66 pitches over 3 2/3 innings his last … [Read more...]
Javier Baez Placed on 7-Day Disabled List
The Iowa Cubs placed Javier Baez on the 7-day disabled list on Sunday morning with a left ankle sprain. Baez was dealing with a sore back prior to injuring himself taking grounders during infield practice prior to Friday’s game in Memphis. According to multiple reports, Javier Baez turned his ankle. … [Read more...]
Baez Bashes Despite Sore Back, Arrieta Rehabs for a Second Time and Cubs News and Notes
Javier Baez hit a two-run home run on Thursday then told the Des Moines Register after the game that he is "dealing with some minor backs issues." Baez said Marty Pevey was going to keep him out of the lineup but he "insisted on playing." Baez said the soreness in his back is from "is big swing." Baez added "that it’s happened before" and described the soreness as "nothing major, just a little uncomfortable." After a slow start to the season, an ejection and a dugout altercation with Eli … [Read more...]
Iowa Cubs Release Opening Day Roster
The Iowa Cubs released their Opening Day roster following Wednesday's on field workout. The I-Cubs open the 2014 season on Thursday night against the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals) at Principal Park. I-Cubs' skipper Marty Pevey announced Wednesday that Chris Rusin would get the ball on Opening Day. Iowa will garner a lot of attention this season, especially early in the year. Iowa's infield will feature Javier Baez, Arismendy Alcantara and Christian Villanueva. Jason McLeod … [Read more...]
Cubs Working on the Big League Roster, Focus on the Minors and Other News and Rumors
Weekend Update It could be a very busy 72 hours throughout the game leading up to Christmas, especially if the Rakuten Eagles finally make a decision, one way or the other, to post Masahiro Tanaka. Players prefer to know where they will be playing prior to the holidays and there are several free agents still unsigned for next season. The last high-dollar, long-contract, free-agent position player of the off-season came off the board on Saturday when Shin-Soo Choo agreed to a seven-year, $130 … [Read more...]