Minor League Preview – Rookie and Short Season-A Ball Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the first installment of a series previewing the 2015 minor league season. A brief overall look at the system will precede the team summaries. 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. Overview After three seasons, … [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 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...]
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...]
Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler and Addison Russell Hammered Homers Friday Night in the Cubs System
Home run mania continued in the Cubs’ system Friday night. Six of the Cubs minor leaguers went yard. Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler, Josh Vitters and Eli Whiteside rocked the Marlins’ young arms in New Orleans. Addison Russell smacked a solo homer at Smokies Park while Roney Alcala hit his first homer of the season in Arizona. And Mike Olt, a day after hitting his first home run with Iowa, collected a RBI double in four trips to the plate. Olt is 14-for-41 with five doubles, a home run, seven RBI, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/31/14
The reshuffling that happens at this time of the season in the minors had an effect throughout the system as several teams struggled. Rehabbing players Josh Conway and Danny Lockhart had excellent performances for Boise. Kane County lost three straight despite good pitching from Duane Underwood, Daury Torrez, and Jen-Ho Tseng. Daytona had a six-game winning streak that included a walk-off homer from Kyle Schwarber and Jacob Hannemann’s first Florida State League home run. Tennessee scuffled a … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/24/14
It was “Promotion Day” Wednesday as several prospects received word that they would be moving up a level. There was some activity leading up to the day, as RHP Juan Carlos Paniagua was promoted to Daytona, while RHP Ben Wells went to Kane County and RHP Dillon Maples reported to Boise. That set in motion “outfielder roulette” as Jorge Soler moved up to Iowa, Albert Almora to Tennessee, Jacob Hannemann to Daytona, and Jeffrey Baez to Kane County. Meanwhile, RHP Kyle Hendricks and LHP Tsuyoshi … [Read more...]
Cubs Notes from Down on the Farm – 06/28/14
The Cubs scored a rarity Friday night as all five of their top minor league teams, and six of the total of eight, won. Three of the wins were in blowout fashion as Iowa pummeled Colorado Springs 16-3, Boise smashed Hillsboro 11-1, and the DSL Cubs topped the Phillies 10-2. The system also won the close ones as Tennessee edged Jackson 6-5, Daytona prevailed 1-0 in a pitcher’s duel, and Kane County outlasted Beloit 3-2 in ten innings. It took three seasons, but it appears that the organization … [Read more...]
Cubs Notes from Down on the Farm – 06/21/14
Tonight is opening night for the AZL Cubs, heralding the beginning of a new class of players on their journey through the minor league system. Among the players to watch are catcher Tyler Alamo, corner infielder Roney Alcala, infielder Gleyber Torres, outfielder Eloy Jimenez, and pitchers Frailin Figueroa and Jefferson Mejia. As the 2014 draft choices are signed and filter into camp, they will provide further intrigue into what appears to be a very strong roster. The signings from this year’s … [Read more...]