With Opening Day for the minor league teams on Thursday, the Cubs have just about finalized the Opening Day rosters for the top four teams in the system … Iowa Cubs, Tennessee Smokies, Daytona Cubs, and Kane County Cougars. And with setting the rosters, several players throughout the organization have been released. Hayden Simpson, Dontrelle Willis and Michael Brenly made headlines for obvious reasons over the weekend when they were released, but several other minor league players were also … [Read more...]
Hayden Simpson and Dontrelle Willis Among Minor Leaguers Released by the Cubs
As Opening Day approaches for minor league baseball, the Cubs have released several players from the system, including 2010 first round pick Hayden Simpson. According to reports, the Cubs released Simpson, along with C Michael Brenly, RHP Brett Wallach, knuckleballer Joe Zeller, LHP Casey Harman and LHP Dontrelle Willis. The Cubs released RHP Ryan Hartman and RHP Su-Min Jung earlier this spring. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/18/13
Minor League Preview: Low-A Kane County and High-A Daytona Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the second of a three part installment previewing the 2013 minor league season. We will be discussing each level’s strengths, weaknesses, and things to look for this season. Please note that the previews are based on current roster assignments and anticipated Spring Training success. All assignments, both as to position and level, are subject to change pending the completion of Spring … [Read more...]
A Look at the Infield in the Cubs System
The infield outlook appears muddy down on the farm. With the conclusion of the Arizona Fall League and the Hot Stove League kicking into high gear, the Cubs appear to have more questions than answers concerning the infield throughout the system. While management grapples with the question of 'Who's on Third?' for the parent club, a series of conflicting statements on a number of prospects has somewhat clouded the picture in the minor league system. Then add in the two-cents from the prospect … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/20/12
Things continue to look good from the ground up in the minor league system and Iowa surprised by winning three out of four to end the week as Dave Sappelt appears to have his eye on the big league club in September. Boise has stayed in the lead in the second half of the season thanks to Rock Shoulders, Stephen Bruno and Albert Almora joining an already impressive list of hitters in Gioskar Amaya, Jeimer Candelario, Dan Vogelbach, and Willson Contreras. Speaking of promising hitters, Jorge … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/13/12
The spotlight moved to the lower levels of the Cubs minor league at the end of the week, as most of the affiliates were on the uptick. Boise put together a four-game winning streak thanks to Dan Vogelbach's five home runs and outfielder Izaac Garsez. Jorge Soler moved from the rookie league to Peoria and was a big hit, literally, with a grand slam. Excellent pitching efforts by Nick Struck and Dae-Eun Rhee were backed by the offense of Jae-Hoon Ha for Tennessee, while struggling remained the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/30/12
The team results were not what the managers wanted to see but several prospects in the Cubs' system had a good end of the week and for some the solid play carried over into the weekend. The Smokies had a rough end to their nine-game road trip. Jae-Hoon Ha was injured during Thursday's game in Jacksonville and will be out for 7-14 days with a concussion. On the positive side, Matt Szczur replaced Ha on the Smokies roster, made his Double-A debut Friday and notched his first Double-A single on … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/19/12
You can't tell the players without a scorecard, as a number of player movements have changed the faces of some of the lower minor league teams. Boise has seen outfielder Bijan Rademacher move to Peoria, and have Northwest League player-of-the Week Trey Martin more than replace his offense. Rademacher will try to help improve the Chiefs' firepower, as Javier Baez was voted Midwest League player-of-the Week. Tim Saunders was moved all the way to Daytona from the Rookie League. The D-Cubs won two … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/16/12
It's not a good time to be a relief pitcher in the organization, as the bullpens at all levels cost their teams a chance to win to end the week. That doesn't mean that the hitters have stopped hitting, as Trey Martin has emerged for Boise while Peoria has a new hero in Chadd Krist. Teammate Javier Baez is now tied for the team lead in home runs, and Daytona's Rubi Silva is scorching hot. Pitching was the key in Tennessee, as Nick Struck recorded his organization leading tenth win, Eric Jokisch … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/05/12
As Independence Day marks the traditional halfway point in the baseball season, the Cubs' affiliates are all hoping for a better second half, as the top five teams were able to only eek out three wins to start the week. Young players are taking some of the spotlight, as Dan Vogelbach and Tim Saunders are impressing in Mesa, while Jeimer Candelario keeps on hitting in Boise. Dustin Geiger remains a player to be reckoned with in Peoria, while Daytona has recently seen a burst from Elieser … [Read more...]