Minor League Preview - Double-A Tennessee Smokies and Triple-A Iowa Cubs Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! This is the last of a three part installment previewing the 2012 minor league season. With players from the defending Florida State Champion Daytona Cubs and Southern League runner-up Tennessee Smokies, the top two squads in the Cubs' system look to compete for championships this season. Here's how the Tennessee Smokies and Iowa Cubs look for 2012. … [Read more...]
Cubs Played Two … and Lost Two – Cubs 2, Diamondbacks 12 – Cubs 5, Rockies 7
Spring Game Twelve - Cubs (SS) 2, Diamondbacks 12 WP - Ian Kennedy (1-2) LP - Ryan Dempster (1-1) Save - None Spring Game Thirteen - Cubs (SS) 5, Rockies 7 WP - Christian Friedrich (1-0) LP - Alberto Cabrera (0-1) Save - Rex Brothers (1) There were positives from both Cubs losses Thursday in the Cactus League but all in all it was a rough day for the Chicago Cubs ... and as the spring cliché goes, they got their work in. In Mesa, Ryan Dempster had a rough outing before Kerry Wood and Jeff … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 02/06/12
Winter League Wrap-up This year's Winter Leagues saw an increase in the number of players from the organization, but an overall decrease in participation. While 33 players that were affiliated with the Cubs' system for all or part of the off-season were part of winter baseball, 19 ended up playing less than ten games with their temporary clubs. Movement played a prominent role as fans said goodbye to Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Andrew Cashner, Robert Coello, Marwin Gonzalez and Carlos Zambrano while … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 01/30/12
Congratulations to both the Yaquis de Obregon and the Indios de Mayaguez for securing spots in the Caribbean World Series. In Mexico, Obregon rode the bat of Alfredo Amezaga and the pitching of Marco Carrillo, while Kyle Smit did his best to help the Indians claim the crown in Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela are still looking to award a championship. For a recap of this week's contests, along with news from the Australian Baseball League, check out this week's Down … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 01/23/12
As we near the Caribbean World Series, Obregon continued its drive to defend their title with the help of Marco Carrillo, Oswaldo Martinez, and Alfredo Amezaga. Kyle Smit may have pitched the game of his life as Mayaguez inched closer to the series, while Juan Apodaca and former Cubs' farmhand Austin Bibens-Dirkx tried to keep Zulia's hopes afloat. In Australia, the Brisbane Bandits made a desperate last minute push for the playoffs with Ryan Searle leading the way. To find out how your … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 01/16/12
As the playoff season winds down, Caribbean Champion Obregon continued to make a push toward defending their crown, thanks to Oswaldo Martinez and a new member of the Cubs' family, Alfredo Amezaga. Kyle Smit advanced to the finals in Puerto Rico, while the struggles continue for Austin Bibens-Dirkx in Venezuela. And, upon further review, Nelson Perez wasn't needed by Escogido in the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Ryan Searle gave his native Australia a rare treat as he and his Brisbane … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 01/09/12
With the Puerto Rico Baseball League concluding their regular season this past Wednesday, the winter leagues enter the playoffs to determine the participants in the Caribbean World Series. Pitching dominated the past week, as pitchers Marco Carrillo and Austin Bibens-Dirkx tried to lead their respective teams further. Meanwhile Kyle Smit helped his team move on, while Ryan Searle baffled batters "down under". For more on these and other performances, take a look at this week's Down on the Farm … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 01/02/12
¡Feliz Año Nuevo a todos en la CCO! As an old year ended and a new one begins, the regular season came to an end for most of the winter leagues while the playoff season started for others. With teams fighting to keep playing in the post-season, several players raised their level of performance. Pitchers Marco Carrillo and Oswaldo Martinez did their best to keep their team in the hunt, as did Kyle Smit. Bryan LaHair kept thundering away, and another debut was made by pitcher Ryan Searle. To see … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/26/11
Good morning and a Happy Holidays to all at the CCO! As the end of the year approaches, so does the end of the regular season in the winter leagues. The Dominican league concluded last Wednesday, with a special playoff on Thursday. Mexico and Venezuela will finish on Friday, while Puerto Rico won't be over until January 4. This past week, Bryan LaHair possibly strengthened his grip on the parent club's first base position, while Austin Bibens-Dirkx remained on his march toward a new contract. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/19/11
As the regular season in the Caribbean and Mexico begin to wind down, and the holidays approach, this week saw minimal participation of players from the organization. That's not to say things haven't been interesting. Carlos Zambrano and his Caribes de Anzoategui teammates flirted with greatness on Wednesday, while reliever Kyle Smit was on top of his game in his debut for Indios de Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican League. Marco Carrillo and Austin Bibens-Dirkx continued to baffle hitters, while … [Read more...]