Pitching Analysis – Lower Minors Today, the CCO completes its off-season look at the Cubs’ minor league system. After reviewing the pitching staffs for Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee, High-A Myrtle Beach, and Low-A South Bend, it’s time for the pitching prospects in the lower minor leagues. Lower Minors Starters and Relievers Moving to the Short Season-A Eugene Emeralds for the 2015 season, Oscar De La Cruz became one of the most dominant pitchers in the Northwest League. The 20-year … [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 – 08/31/15
Put all that anticipation of September call-ups on hold as the Iowa Cubs are back in playoff contention with a weekend sweep thanks to John Andreoli, Javier Baez, and newcomer Emilio Bonifacio. Tennessee also is on a roll, wining five straight with fine pitching from Andres Santiago and Pierce Johnson. Eugene had a rough weekend but maintained their first place lead on the bat of Ian Rice and pitching of Carson Sands. Myrtle Beach won in walk-off fashion courtesy of Jason Vosler, and Jeffrey … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/24/15
Twenty-five games over .500! That’s the record of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans as they went home run happy over the weekend, with Ben Carhart leading the way. Iowa also caught the home run bug as five members left the yard this weekend, with a game-winner by Adron Chambers. Tennessee had to dodge the raindrops as Jacob Hannemann stayed on a roll, while South Bend salvaged a game with home runs from Charcer Burks and David Bote. With scores from the rookie league and the conclusion of the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/17/15
What is more exciting than a no-hitter? Four pitchers combining for a no-hitter as Preston Morrison, Kyle Twomey, Luis Hernandez, and Trey Masek turned the trick for Eugene on Sunday. Ian Happ is also making noise for South Bend as the first round draft pick banged out two home runs this weekend. Paul Blackburn and Brad Markey were mowing them down for Myrtle Beach, as was Ryan Williams for Tennessee. Iowa also got a great effort out of Carlos Pimentel, while Andri Rondon and Julian Aybar … [Read more...]
Four Pitchers, One No-Hitter for the Eugene Emeralds
For the first time since 1968 and for the fifth time in team history, the Eugene Emeralds have a no-hitter as Preston Morrison, Kyle Twomey, Luis Hernandez, and Trey Masek combined to keep the Everett Aqua Sox out of the hit column on Sunday in a 3-0 win. Facing the best offense in the Northwest League, Morrison was perfect through three innings, striking out four batters. Meanwhile, the Emeralds’ offense provided a little breathing room in the third inning after Kevonte Mitchell singled, … [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...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/10/15
With the end of the season just weeks away, several of the Cubs’ affiliates are trending in the right direction. Iowa is four games out of first place as Felipe Paulino and Carlos Pimentel pitched back-to-back gems. Tennessee has a new version of the “Bash Brothers”, as Willson Contreras and Jeimer Candelario have slugged the Smokies to victory. As usual, pitching is the story in Myrtle Beach as Jeremy Null, Paul Blackburn, and Brad Markey all had good outings. James Norwood and Jake Stinnett … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/31/15
Heroes came from unlikely sources as Myrtle Beach was spurred to victory by home runs from Trey Martin and Carlos Penalver, meanwhile Adbert Alzolay came out of the pen for Eugene to deliver a no-hit performance. Pitching was also in the forefront as excellent efforts were had by Tommy Thorpe of South Bend, Pierce Johnson and Rob Zastryzny of Tennessee, and Iowa’s Felipe Paulino. All the highlights in today’s Down on the Farm Report. Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds (20-22) It was … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/29/15
It was a big Tuesday throughout the system for the affiliates. As of press time last night, the Cubs minor league players had nine home runs and recorded three shut outs. It was all the start to what appears to be a memorable week for everyone. In his first start Iowa, Clayton Richard recorded a shutout as did Ivan Pineyro for Tennessee and Jesus Arias in Venezuela. Jonathan Martinez also fired a gem for Myrtle Beach. Javier Baez was activated from the DL prior to Tuesday’s game and he hit … [Read more...]