The 2015 Carolina League Champions Myrtle Beach Pelicans were honored and received their rings at Sloan Park prior to Sunday’s Cactus League game between the Cubs and Mariners. The Pelicans won the 2015 Mills Cup Championship last season. And for many of last year’s Pelicans, it was their second championship in as many years. Mark Johnson led Low-A Kane County to the Midwest League Championship in 2014 and High-A Myrtle Beach to the Carolina League Championship last year. Johnson looks to … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/03/15
Pitching Analysis – Double-A Tennessee The CCO’s off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system continues today. After viewing the possible pitching staff for Triple-A, we now turn to where the first pitching prospects of the current front office reside, the staff for Double-A Tennessee. Double-A Starters and Relievers There has never been a question as to the ability of Pierce Johnson. The biggest concern has been if he can ever make through a season in one piece. The 24-year old has … [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 – 09/02/15
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 – 08/28/15
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...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/17/15
What is more exciting than a no-hitter? Four pitchers combining for a no-hitter as Preston Morrison, Kyle Twomey, Luis Hernandez, and Trey Masek turned the trick for Eugene on Sunday. Ian Happ is also making noise for South Bend as the first round draft pick banged out two home runs this weekend. Paul Blackburn and Brad Markey were mowing them down for Myrtle Beach, as was Ryan Williams for Tennessee. Iowa also got a great effort out of Carlos Pimentel, while Andri Rondon and Julian Aybar … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/14/15
With pennant races for the Cubs organization extending down throughout the minor leagues, the balls are now flying out of the park. Andrew Ely and Ian Rice went downtown for Eugene, while Matt Rose and Ian Happ came up big for South Bend. Jason Vosler continues to surprise with his power output for Myrtle Beach, and Jacob Rogers belted his first for Tennessee. And Arismendy Alcantara and Tommy La Stella each had big flies for Iowa. So bring your mitt and watch out for fly balls while … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/10/15
With the end of the season just weeks away, several of the Cubs’ affiliates are trending in the right direction. Iowa is four games out of first place as Felipe Paulino and Carlos Pimentel pitched back-to-back gems. Tennessee has a new version of the “Bash Brothers”, as Willson Contreras and Jeimer Candelario have slugged the Smokies to victory. As usual, pitching is the story in Myrtle Beach as Jeremy Null, Paul Blackburn, and Brad Markey all had good outings. James Norwood and Jake Stinnett … [Read more...]