According to Baseball America, RHP Nick Struck and OF Reggie Golden were among the minor league players released prior to the end of Spring Training as the front office assembled the minor league rosters. Nick Struck was the Cubs’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2012 after posting a 14-10 record in 28 games, 26 starts, for Double-A Tennessee with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Struck struggled in the fall league and did not pitch well as a non-roster invitee to Major League Spring Training … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/17/14
Minor League Preview: Low-A Kane County and High-A Daytona Top o’ the Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the second of a three part installment previewing the 2014 minor league 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 training. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/31/13
Position Analysis The CCO’s off-season look at each position in the Cubs’ farm system continues today. The series of articles to summarize and project how the organization stacks up on a position by position basis has already examined all four infield positions, catcher, left field and centerfield. Up next is right field, a position that has some of the most interesting players in the system. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/19/13
Special Assignment – Kane County Cougars v. Peoria Chiefs I had the pleasure of being able to cover the final series of the season between the Kane County Cougars and Peoria Chiefs. I’d like to thank Shawn Touney, Director of Public Relations and the Kane County Cougars. I’d also like to mention reporter Mike Knapp of the Beacon News, who has been an excellent resource, a great baseball conversationalist, and was a welcoming presence in the press box, as well as Kevin Druley of the Kane County … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/02/13
Happy Labor Day to everyone from the CCO! As the minor league season entered its final weekend, both the Iowa Cubs and the AZL Cubs were eliminated in their desperate attempts to make the playoffs. Meanwhile in Tennessee and Daytona, both teams are preparing for post-season as the bats of Javier Baez and Dustin Geiger have stayed hot. Boise put themselves in a must-win situation for their final two games after being no-hit on Saturday. As for Kane County, the Cougars wrap up their season on … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/29/13
The final days of the minor league season are upon us, and Tennessee, behind a power surge from Javier Baez, has locked up a playoff spot in the Southern League. Daytona moved into the post-season in style after a combined No-Hitter on Tuesday locked up a division title. Boise moved into a first place tie with four games left to play, while the AZL Cubs are a game out of a playoff spot with one game left in the season. Along with a recap from your Dominican Summer League division champions, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/22/13
The minor league season is coming down to the wire as Tennessee had a winning streak snapped but reduced their magic number in the Southern League. Daytona continues to maintain a five game lead in the Florida State League with fourteen games left to play. Boise and the AZL Cubs are fighting for their playoff lives, as they are two and three games out of first place respectively. The DSL Cubs are clinging to a two game lead with four games on the schedule, while Iowa can only play out the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/19/13
The Cubs’ affiliates had a decent end of the week. Boise pulled to within a game of first place with help from Carlos Penalver. Kane County posted a couple of wins, while Iowa received an excellent spot start from Casey Coleman. Tennessee kept its grip on first place thanks to Javier Baez and two game winning home runs. Both Kris Bryant and Dan Vogelbach have settled in well and are contributing to Daytona’s playoff push. To see how it all went down, check out today’s Down on the Farm Report. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/15/13
It was moving day for many of the Cubs’ prospects, as Kris Bryant and Dan Vogelbach now call Daytona home. Reliever Armando Rivero is now in Tennessee, while nomadic lefty Jeffry Antigua has returned to Iowa. Cael Brockmeyer is back in Boise and Trevor Gretzky has made his way to Kane County. Meanwhile, Javier Baez just keeps on hitting and working counts in Tennessee. Baez is 18-for-43 with six doubles, one home run, 13 RBI, three walks and nine strikeouts in last 10 games … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/08/13
It has been another good week down on the farm. Eric Jokisch notched a no-hitter on Tuesday. Javier Baez stayed hot at the plate and Mike Olt went yard for the first time in an I-Cubs’ uniform. Kris Bryant ran his hitting streak to 10 games before Boise took a break for the All-Star game. And after a slow start, Bryant is hitting .292/.352/.583/.935 with five doubles and three home runs in 13 games. LHP Rob Zastryzny received a promotion and recently drafted Cael Brockmeyer was sent all the … [Read more...]