The Cubs made several roster moves in the minor leagues Thursday, the most notable was the promotion of OF Billy McKinney to Double-A Tennessee. Billy McKinney more than earned the move from High-A Myrtle Beach to Double-A Tennessee. The 20-year old outfielder was recently named the Carolina League Player of the Week after a sensational nine-game stretch. Between May 4-10, McKinney was 13-for-30 with four doubles, two triples, a home run, nine runs scored, 12 RBI, eight walks and two … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – Myrtle Beach Pelicans Preview
Minor League Preview – High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans The third installment of a series previewing the 2015 minor league season focuses on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. 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. Click here for the Cubs’ minor league … [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 – 08/11/14
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 – 08/04/14
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...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/28/14
Heroes came in all shapes and sizes to end the week as Iowa witnessed the thundering bat of Javier Baez, while Tennessee’s Addison Russell put on his own power show. Russell’s teammate Taylor Davis had a five RBI night, and Daytona remained on a roll thanks to the muscle of Dan Vogelbach. In Kane County, Shawon Dunston Jr. appears to be thriving in the leadoff role, while new faces Charcer Burks and Bryant Flete are hot for Boise. So if you like your baseball with a little pop, see what’s … [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 Down on the Farm Report – 07/21/14
Bombs Away! The Cubs’ minor league system went on a spat of home run hitting as 16 players hit a total of 20 homers over 20 minor league games. Iowa received “big flies” form Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Chris Valaika, Logan Watkins, and Eli Whiteside. Addison Russell, Jorge Soler, and Christian Villanueva went deep for Tennessee, while Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber, Rock Shoulders, and Dan Vogelbach left the park for Daytona. Kane County got homers from Cael Brockmeyer, Jeimer Candelario, and … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/14/14
Top of the heap is the best way to describe the Cubs’ farm system, with three teams in first place and three more in second place. Iowa slid to a half game back without stars Javier Baez and Kris Bryant, who were at the Futures Game. Tennessee used the muscle of Jorge Soler to retain their claim on first, while Daytona received homers from Billy McKinney and Chadd Krist to remain tied for first. Kane County continued to steamroll their way through the Midwest league thanks to Jeimer Candelario. … [Read more...]