The winter leagues had a sparse week as we head into the holiday season. With a breakout performance by Ian Happ, Mesa was able to claim the Arizona Fall League Championship. James Farris was also vital for the Solar Sox down the stretch. Meanwhile, Corey Black and Yasiel Balaguert were top performers in the Roberto Clemente League. With the long and short of it, take a look inside today’s Down on the Farm Report. Arizona Fall League The start of the final week of the season started … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: Awards for Bryzzo and Epstein, Roster Moves, A Championship and Rumors
The awards just kept coming for the Cubs as Kris Bryant received the NL MVP. Anthony Rizzo took home more hardware. And Theo Epstein collected his second Executive of the Year Award. Kris Bryant has a new commercial and says this is only the beginning for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs added four players to the 40-man roster and claimed a left-handed reliever off waivers from the Mariners. The Mesa Solar Sox ended their championship drought in the AFL with help from Ian Happ. And what … [Read more...]
Mesa Solar Sox Wins Arizona Fall League Championship
Mesa beats Surprise 6-1 for first AFL Championship since 2003, Ian Happ goes 4-for-4 with a pair of home runs in victory The Mesa Solar Sox and Surprise Saguaros squared off in the Arizona Fall League Championship Game on Saturday afternoon at Scottsdale Stadium. Mesa jumped out to an early lead on a three-run homer from Brian Anderson (Marlins) and never looked back. Ian Happ (Cubs) hit a pair of homers for Mesa’s other three runs and put the game in the hands of the pitching staff. The … [Read more...]
Mesa Solar Sox Playing for Arizona Fall League Championship
Ian Happ, Eloy Jimenez in starting lineup for Solar Sox in Arizona Fall League Championship Game The Mesa Solar Sox take on the Surprise Saguaros at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday afternoon (2:00pm CST) for the Arizona Fall League Championship. The game will be carried live on MLB Network and MLB.com. The Solar Sox won the East Division title on the final day of the AFL regular season. Mesa was 16-15-1 on the fall. The Solar Sox feature prospects from the Cubs, Indians, Marlins, A’s and … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/14/16
Relief pitching took center stage this past week in the winter leagues as Corey Black has thrust his name back into the spotlight with two saves in the Roberto Clemente League. Greyfer Eregua and Armando Rivero were also successful in Venezuela, while Ryan McNeil, Stephen Perakslis, and James Farris all had good weeks in the Arizona Fall League. Along with action from the Dominican Winter League, the Down on the Farm Report is ready to close with a flourish. Arizona Fall League In a close … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/07/16
While the celebrations for The World Series Champions continued in Chicago, James Farris and Eloy Jimenez were representing the Cubs in the Arizona League’s Fall Stars game. Juan Perez was steady in the Dominican Republic. Yasiel Balaguert provided production in Puerto Rico. And in Venezuela, Gerardo Concepcion and Greyfer Eregua turned in good pitching performances. And remember in all the joy Cubs fans: Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow. The Down on the Farm Report brings tomorrow into … [Read more...]
Eloy Jimenez, James Farris Make Arizona Fall League All-Star Team
OF Eloy Jimenez, RHP James Farris are All-Stars in the Arizona Fall League … 2B/OF Ian Happ on ballot to be voted into the Fall Stars Game Rosters for the upcoming AFL Fall Stars Game were released Monday and the East squad includes two Cubs prospects and the opportunity for a third to participate in the game. OF Eloy Jimenez and RHP James Farris were named to the East team, which also includes SS Gleyber Torres, for Saturday’s game. Jimenez and Torres are teammates once again. Fans can … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/31/16
Happy Halloween! With the start of the Roberto Clemente League in Puerto Rico, all of the Caribbean leagues are now in play, as Yasiel Balaguert lit it up for Carolina. Relief pitchers Greyfer Eregua and James Farris are emerging in Venezuela and the Arizona Fall League, with Juan Perez off to a good start in the Dominican Republic. With more scores and highlights, come inside today’s Down on the Farm Report. Arizona Fall League Mesa was quick out of the box last Monday in beating Surprise … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/24/16
While the Cubs were busy beating the Dodgers in the NLCS and earning the National League Pennant, the rest of the system remained hard at work. The Dominican Winter League opened with Stephen Fife pitching a gem. Bryant Flete remained hot for Zulia in the Venezuela, and Christian Villanueva put on quite a show in Mexico. Meanwhile in Arizona, pitchers Ryan McNeil and James Farris continued to impress. But the big story was the return to action of Kyle Schwarber. All the details are inside … [Read more...]
Kyle Schwarber Added to Mesa Solar Sox Roster
Kyle Schwarber has been added to the Mesa Solar Sox’s roster in the Arizona Fall League The Cubs made a surprise addition to the Mesa Solar Sox’s roster. Kyle Schwarber will play in the Arizona Fall League. MLB Pipeline announced Saturday that Schwarber has been added to the Solar Sox’s roster as a taxi squad player. Schwarber has been traveling with the Cubs during the postseason while he continued his rehab from season-ending surgery in April to repair torn ligaments in his knee. … [Read more...]