As the regular season in the Caribbean and Mexico begin to wind down, and the holidays approach, this week saw minimal participation of players from the organization. That's not to say things haven't been interesting. Carlos Zambrano and his Caribes de Anzoategui teammates flirted with greatness on Wednesday, while reliever Kyle Smit was on top of his game in his debut for Indios de Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican League. Marco Carrillo and Austin Bibens-Dirkx continued to baffle hitters, while … [Read more...]
Day Two of Camp ‘Q’ … Silva Staked His Claim and Other Cubs Notes
The second day of camp got a little spicy after Carlos Silva staked his claim on one of the final two spots in the rotation. Silva is competing for the fourth and fifth spots in Mike Quade's rotation with Randy Wells, Braden Looper, Todd Wellemeyer, Casey Coleman, James Russell and Andrew Cashner. According to multiple reports from Bruce Levine, the Cubs would like for Andrew Cashner and James Russell to fill those spots, but Carlos Silva has other plans. Silva said he's one of the Cubs' five … [Read more...]
From the Wire … Cubs Acquire Robert Coello from the Red Sox
According to multiple reports, the Cubs acquired right-handed pitcher Robert Coello from the Red Sox for minor league infielder Tony Thomas. Coello was added to the Cubs 40-man roster, which now stands at 39 players. Updated 7:07pm C.T. - According to a report from the Tribune, the Red Sox designated Coello for assignment prior to trading him to the Cubs. Coello was drafted as a catcher. … [Read more...]
The CCO’s Top 15 Cubs Prospects Revisited
In November the CCO published a list of the top 15 prospects in the Cubs' system. With the two trades last month, the Cubs minor league system took on a different look. With pitchers and catchers reporting to Fitch Park in just three days, it is time to revisit the CCO's list of the top prospects down on the farm. … [Read more...]
Baseball America’s Top Cubs Prospects 2005 – 2010
Baseball America is viewed as the leader in ranking prospects and minor league systems. While publications like Baseball Prospectus have garnered a lot more respect in recent years, Baseball America remains the industry leader. A good ranking by Baseball America can increase a player's value overnight and that alone can be worth it's weight in gold ... or at least on the trade market. A well-stocked Minor League system with high praise from Baseball America can end up being the difference in … [Read more...]
The Garza Trade – A Minor League Perspective
I'm taking some time out from preparing the Down on the Farm report in order to offer some observations on the recent eight-player trade. Please keep in mind that these are just observations ... from a Minor League perspective. … [Read more...]
Cubs 2010 Organizational All-Stars
This off-season MiLB.com has been honoring players at each position who had the best season in their respective organization, regardless of age or prospect status. MiLB.com released their list of the Cubs organizational All-Stars and a couple of the players on the Cubs' list lost their prospect status a few years ago ... and two of them are no longer with the organization. The Cubs' system had a good year and continued to show improvement across the board. From the development of talent to … [Read more...]
Two Cubs’ Farmhands to Keep an Eye on in 2011
The Cubs have a lot of depth throughout the system in the middle infield. From players such as Tony Thomas, Ryan Flaherty, Wes Darvill, Junior Lake, Logan Watkins, Marwin Gonzalez, D.J. LeMahieu and Hak-Ju Lee, the Cubs have big athletic middle infielders that project as big league ball players coming through the system ... and two of those players could be on the verge of separating themselves from the group. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict D.J. LeMahieu and Hak-Ju Lee will have … [Read more...]
Minor League Ball’s Top Cubs Prospects
The CCO's look at the Cubs' farm system continues with Minor League Ball's ranking of the Cubs' top prospects. Minor League Ball recently published their preliminary list of the top prospects in the Cubs system. John Sickels pointed out that the grades are subject to change. Like Baseball Prospectus, Sickels feels the Cubs system lacks elite talent but has a lot of players that have a good chance of having successful Major League careers. Brett Jackson heads the list once again, with Trey … [Read more...]
Baseball Prospectus Top 20 Cubs Prospects
Baseball Prospectus recently published their list of the top prospects in the Cubs system. Kevin Goldstein said the Cubs system doesn't really have any impact talent but has a lot of depth. According to Goldstein, "While the Cubs' system is a deep one that will produce plenty of big league talents, the team still needs to look outside of the organization for the kind of impact talent to turn their fortunes around." No doubt the Cubs system has improved over the past two years, but many agree … [Read more...]