Position Analysis – First Base After examining the catching position throughout the organization, it’s time to move to the infield with the next report to summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position-by-position basis. Today, the CCO will look at a position that has a great deal of questions: First Base. First Base Over the past four seasons, Anthony Rizzo has started 615 of a possible 648 games at first base for the Chicago Cubs. Fans better hope that trend … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/12/16
The playoffs continued for the Cubs’ affiliates as two teams advanced to their league finals and one went home. Yeiler Peguero was instrumental in Eugene winning their divisional playoff and Game 1 of the Northwest League Championship. Meanwhile, David Bote remains unstoppable for Myrtle Beach, who evened their Mills Cup Championship Series. But the season is over for South Bend despite the efforts of Connor Myers and Tyler Alamo. As usual, the details are inside today’s Down on the Farm … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/09/16
Its playoff time for the Cubs affiliates as the early games produced mixed results. South Bend used home runs from Tyler Alamo and Matt Rose to even their series, while Myrtle Beach got some great pitching from Trevor Clifton in their opener. Robert Garcia also went deep, but it wasn’t enough for Eugene. To find out more, take a look at today’s Down on the Farm Report. Short Season Class-A – Eugene Emeralds Pitching for Eugene could not contain Hillsboro on Wednesday as the Emeralds lost … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/16/16
The two hottest teams in the Cubs’ minor league system are South Bend and the Myrtle Beach as the SB Cubs rode the hot bats of Tyler Alamo, Eloy Jimenez and Donnie Dewees to take two out of three. The Pelicans have won four straight as they were powered by Yasiel Balaguert and Gleyber Torres. Tennessee also won two out of three but with greater variance as Billy McKinney and Jeimer Candelario are awakening from their early season slumber. It was the usual suspects for Iowa on offense, but … [Read more...]
The CCO Talks Cubs Catching Prospects on South Bend Cubs Radio
On Wednesday, the CCO’s very own Tom U gave the final of a five-week series of interviews talking minor league prospects with South Bend Cubs play-by-play man Darin Pritchett and Rick Carter on WSBT in South Bend’s Sportsbeat program. This past Wednesday’s program addressed the catching prospects in the Cubs’ system as well as potential relief pitchers for the South Bend Cubs. Here are some excerpts from that interview. Darin Pritchett: Let’s talk about the catching position. I’m not sure … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/28/15
Position Analysis - Catcher Welcome to the first installment of a series that summarizes and projects how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis. Today, the CCO will look at a position that is moving toward being one of the strongest in the organization: Catcher. Catcher The Cubs have a bona fide star in 2014 first round draft pick Kyle Schwarber. The trouble comes as to where he fits right now at the position. The Cubs have veterans Miguel Montero and David Ross, so … [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 – 09/04/15
The week ended in extremes as Eugene held on to a first place lead with big pitching performances from Justin Steele and Oscar De La Cruz. South Bend’s reshuffled line-up produced a blow out win and a big game from Angelo Amendolare. Myrtle Beach and Tennessee are the home of two hitting leaders as Chesny Young and Willson Contreras look to take home their respective league’s batting crown. And Iowa fell out of playoff contention despite the efforts of Mike Baxter. So get the lowdown as … [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 – 08/21/15
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...]