It was a rather active Rule 5 Draft to close out Baseball’s Winter Meetings on Thursday morning. The Cubs lost a lefty reliever in Andrew McKirahan to the Marlins and two players in the Triple-A phase of the draft while selecting one. The Cubs selected INF Taylor Featherston from the Rockies in the Major League phase of the draft and traded him to the Angels for cash in a pre-arranged deal. The 25-year old infielder hit .260/.322/.439 at Double-A Tulsa last year. Featherston will have a … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/10/14
Position Analysis – First Base A series of reports over the off-season will summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis. Today, the CCO looks at a position that was once a strength in the organization but now has some questions: First Base. First Base For the second straight season, the Cubs decided against having a prospect at Triple-A when they left Justin Bour unprotected, and he was selected in the Rule 5 draft. In his place, the Cubs used … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on Farm Report – 09/02/14
An 829-game minor league regular season ended Monday with three teams from the Cubs’ system making the playoffs: The Daytona Cubs, the Kane County Cougars, and the Boise Hawks. It took the final days of the season before Daytona and Boise could lay claim to the post-season, thanks to the efforts of hot-hitting shortstops Marco Hernandez and Gleyber Torres. Kane County had the best record in the minor leagues as the Cougars received excellent pitching performances in the final days from Tyler … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/25/14
With one week to go in the minor league season, streaking is what seems to be the trend in the Cubs’ system. Kane County was winners of 13 straight thanks to excellent pitching from Jonathan Martinez, Tyler Ihrig, and Ben Wells. Both Daytona and Kyle Schwarber went on a five game roll, with the first round pick belting six home runs over that span. Boise won three in a row, including the debut of second round pick Jake Stinnett. Meanwhile, Iowa has been going in the opposite direction, losing … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/18/14
The playoffs are looming in the minors and both Daytona and Tennessee moved into first place over the weekend. Iowa slipped into second as they continued to lose players to the Major League team. Kane County continued to find new and interesting ways to win games, while Boise looks like it is ready to go on a roll. There are too many details to do an introduction any justice, so you need to open today’s Down on the Farm Report to read how the players and teams performed. … [Read more...]
Rock Shoulders Named FSL Offensive Player of the Week and Cubs News from Down on the Farm
Rock Shoulders was named the Florida State League Offensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon. The Daytona first baseman, outfielder, designated hitter is having a good second half and he became the first D-Cubs player to take home a weekly honor this season. Shoulders was 6-for-14 in five games with a double, three home runs and 10 walks this past week. For the season, Rock Shoulders is hitting .229/.346/.414 with 16 doubles, 12 home runs and a .761 OPS. In the second half (33 games), … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/11/14
It appeared as if many of the minor league teams want to get as much baseball in as they can with the season drawing to a close, as doubleheaders and extra innings dotted the landscape. One of the hottest players in the system is Daytona’s Rock Shoulders, who was 6-for-13 with three home runs over the weekend. Iowa is experiencing a power surge, with Kris Bryant, Mike Olt, Manny Ramirez, Jorge Soler and Elliot Soto all with home runs. Shawon Dunston Jr. continues to be an excellent table-setter … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Lights, Camera, Baez and Other Cubs Notes
The Cubs return to the corner of Clark and Addison to open a seven-game homestand Friday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Cubs played good ball in Los Angeles and Denver and posted a 4-2 record in the six games. And on the 26th Anniversary of the lights being turned on at Wrigley Field, all eyes will be on Javier Baez when he makes his debut Friday afternoon at the old ballyard. Javier Baez created quite the buzz in three games at Coors Field. Baez launched the three home runs and is … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/07/14
Iowa moved back into first place behind two excellent pitching performances from Eric Jokisch and Dan Straily and the big bats of Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler and Mike Olt. Tennessee picked up two wins with Addison Russell staying hot at the plate and Felix Pena delivering a shutout performance. Kane County just keeps putting wins on the board. Shawon Dunston Jr. and Chesny Young led the Cougars offense while Paul Blackburn and Jen-Ho Tseng had good outings. Daytona posted a win while struggling … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/04/14
The final month of the minor league season started out on a good note for couple of the Cubs’ affiliates and many of the prospects in the system. C.J. Edwards returned to the Smokies rotation while the newest additions to the system, Victor Caratini and Jonathan Martinez had good debuts with the Cougars and helped their new team win a game. Pierce Johnson took a no-hitter into the sixth inning Sunday before it was broken up by the Reds top pitching prospect, Robert Stephenson. And speaking … [Read more...]