The Cubs addition of LHP James Russell back to the organization and RHP Pierce Johnson being placed on the 7-day DL to start the season headlined several roster moves the front office made at the beginning of the minor league season. James Russell re-signed with the organization that drafted him. Russell inked a minor league deal and reported to the Cubs facility in Arizona. Russell joined the Iowa Cubs Monday in New Orleans for the first of a four game series. To make room on Iowa’s roster, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – South Bend Cubs Preview
Minor League Preview – Low-A South Bend Cubs The second installment of a series previewing the 2015 minor league season focuses on the South Bend Cubs. And 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 camp … [Read more...]
Cubs Have Built Catching Depth and News from Down on the Farm
The front office saw a major weakness in the farm system during the 2013 season and spent last year adding catching to the organization. And there is depth at the catching position behind the big league backstops and the well-known names in the organization. While there are questions if Kyle Schwarber, Victor Caratini and Mark Zagunis can stick behind the plate, the Cubs added the three catchers to the system last year. According to Tony Andracki the Cubs see the catching position turning … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/06/14
Position Analysis - Catcher The fifth installment of the off-season series to summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis focuses on a position that was once considered the weakest in the entire organization, but now holds much promise: Catcher. Catcher The organization looks like it is willing to take a step in trusting the back-up catcher position to Rafael Lopez next season. A 16th round selection in 2011, Lopez came to the Cubs as a slightly … [Read more...]
Cubs Notes from Down on the Farm – 08/30/14
Congratulations to the Daytona Cubs, who became the second minor league team to qualify for the playoffs by winning the second half Florida State League North Division Championship. It was a struggle to find consistency all season long for the D-Cubs, but they got a needed shot in the arm when the traded for OF Billy McKinney and promoted OF Jacob Hannemann and OF/C Kyle Schwarber. Hannemann has batted .248/.303/.355/.657 with two home runs, 12 RBI, and five stolen bases, solidifying the leadoff … [Read more...]
Cubs Notes from Down on the Farm – 08/16/14
CWe start this week with the somewhat surprising news of OF Junior Lake being optioned to Iowa, who has only 16 games left in their regular season. As Neil pointed out in the comments of a previous piece this should not be taken as poor roster management, but rather as a final notice for Lake. Although the Cubs may retain his last option by recalling him within 20 days, Lake is now on make-or-break status for the rest of his career. He can no longer simply rely on being “toolsy” to warrant … [Read more...]
Cubs Name Jorge Soler and Jen-Ho Tseng Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for July
The Cubs announced Tuesday OF Jorge Soler and RHP Jen-Ho Tseng are the organization’s Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for July. Tseng is the third straight starter from Kane County’s rotation to take home a Pitcher of the Month award, and the fourth time in as many months a Cougars’ player was recognized by the front office with the monthly honor. … [Read more...]
Cubs Notes from Down on the Farm – 08/02/14
The acquisition of catcher Victor Caratini may not signal the end to 2014 draft selections Kyle Schwarber and Mark Zagunis days as a backstop yet. Nothing will be determined for sure until both Schwarber and Zagunis have an off-season to work with minor league instructor Franklin Font and former catchers/minor league managers Mark Johnson, Buddy Bailey, and Brian Harper. But Caratini now joins a passel of catching prospects in the lower minors, including Will Remillard and Cael Brockmeyer at … [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...]