Position Analysis – Double-A Pitchers The CCO’s off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system continues today. After viewing the possible pitching staff for Triple-A, we turn to where the first pitching prospects of the current front office mostly reside, the staff for Double-A Tennessee. Double-A Starters and Relievers While the Triple-A pitching staff will be a combination of prospects and fringe Major League players, Double-A will see a consolidation of pitching. Some of Tennessee’s … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2016 Carolina League Champions
Myrtle Beach Pelicans Win Second Straight Carolina League Championship Myrtle Beach defeats Lynchburg 5-3 to win the Mills Cup Championship Series Entering Wednesday night’s contest with the Lynchburg Hillcats with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series, things did not look good for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Starter Preston Morrison was not sharp, surrendering an earned run in the first inning and serving up a two-run homer in the third inning. The home run erased a lead for the … [Read more...]
Myrtle Beach Advances to Mills Cup Championship Series
Cubs High-A affiliate Myrtle Beach Pelicans wins Southern Division Championship Series and advances to Mills Cup Championship Series The Myrtle Beach Pelicans came from behind late to rally by the Salem Red Sox 2-1 and claim their third consecutive Southern Division Championship Series win Friday at LewisGale Field. Myrtle Beach (2-1) will advance to the Mills Cup Championship Series, where they will take on the Lynchburg Hillcats in a best-of-five series. Salem (1-2) led 1-0 in the top … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/09/16
Once again, pitching was in the spotlight for the Cubs’ minor league teams with excellent performances from Adbert Alzolay in South Bend to Ryan Williams for Iowa. Erick Leal and Tommy Thorpe had good outings for Myrtle Beach and Corey Black seems back in the groove for Tennessee. Come inside today’s Down on the Farm Report for all of the high and tight coverage. Low Class-A – South Bend Cubs (17-11) It was dominance by South Bend on Friday as they beat Beloit 6-1. Adbert Alzolay continues … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 02/29/16
Five Players to Watch: Low-A South Bend and High-A Myrtle Beach Last week, the CCO began the first of the series at looking beyond the Top 20 lists and exploring the other players in the Cubs organization that may have an impact on the Major League club. The Five Players series has identified many minor leaguers who have gone on to be considered top prospects and Major League players later, including Arismendy Alcantara, Jeffrey Baez, Trevor Clifton, Oscar De La Cruz, Marwin Gonzalez, Kyle … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/17/15
Pitching Analysis – Low-A South Bend The CCO’s off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system continues today. After reviewing the pitching staffs for Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee, and High-A Myrtle Beach, we now look at the pitching prospects from Low-A South Bend. Low-A Starters and Relievers With all of the high profile pitching prospects a level above or below him, it is easy for Trevor Clifton to get lost in the shuffle. The Tennessee high school player was the 12th round … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/07/15
Happy Labor Day! The traditional last day of the minor league season will see us back where we started as Eugene completed their season falling one game short of the playoffs despite the hot hitting of P.J. Higgins. Both Myrtle Beach and Tennessee are creating a buzz as Willson Contreras could take home a batting championship for the Smokies, while the Pelicans are going to the playoffs with their own hitting champ Chesny Young. South Bend will put their first season as a Cubs’ affiliate … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/28/15
The end of the week saw another affiliate move into first place, as Eugene used a dominant performance by Oscar De La Cruz to move into the top spot. Iowa continued to roll with the lightning and thunder of John Andreoli and Javier Baez, while Tennessee was able to grind away thanks to the bat of Willson Contreras. Myrtle Beach and the AZL Cubs had to dodge the raindrops, and South Bend just couldn’t put it together despite the effort of Tommy Thorpe. As the playoff races get tighter, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/21/15
The end of the week saw some highs and lows throughout the minor league system as first and second round picks Ian Happ and Donnie Dewees are heating up for South Bend and Eugene respectively. Chesny Young remains on top of the Carolina League in hitting as Myrtle Beach swept a doubleheader, and Jacob Hannemann is on a tear for Tennessee. Iowa remains on the West Coast, with John Andreoli running wild. And both the AZL Cubs and the DSL Cubs are fighting for playoff berths. All the details … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/14/15
With pennant races for the Cubs organization extending down throughout the minor leagues, the balls are now flying out of the park. Andrew Ely and Ian Rice went downtown for Eugene, while Matt Rose and Ian Happ came up big for South Bend. Jason Vosler continues to surprise with his power output for Myrtle Beach, and Jacob Rogers belted his first for Tennessee. And Arismendy Alcantara and Tommy La Stella each had big flies for Iowa. So bring your mitt and watch out for fly balls while … [Read more...]