Position Analysis – Second Base The second installment of the off-season series to summarize and project how the Cubs minor league system looks on a position-by-position basis focuses on a position that has recently become one of the strongest in the organization: Second Base Second Base If there can be considered a good luck position to play, it would be second base for the Iowa Cubs. It was quite simple in 2014: play the position, earn a promotion to the big leagues. It began with … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/03/14
First place remains in the grasp in four of the Cubs’ eight minor league teams. It all started at the top as Iowa took four straight from Omaha thanks to the efforts of Kris Bryant, Manny Ramirez, Josh Vitters, and Brett Jackson. Tennessee received excellent pitching from Corey Black and Pierce Johnson with support from a resurgent Elliot Soto, Jae-Hoon Ha, and newcomer Kevin Brown. Daytona stumbled out of first despite the continued efforts of Albert Almora. Kane County maintained first … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – Rookie, Class-A Affiliates – 06/30/14
Winning is in the forefront to end this past week as the Cubs’ organization can boast of four first place teams. First place Kane County completed a three-game sweep of Beloit and are on a five game win streak thanks to exploits of Kyle Schwarber and Cael Brockmeyer. First place Daytona won three out of four and swept Lakeland with the hot hitting of Albert Almora and Dan Vogelbach. And finally, the AZL Cubs are tied for first place while seeing the professional debuts of many of the 2014 … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/26/14
Winning seems to be the key word across the minor leagues to start the week as Iowa received excellent pitching performances from Dallas Beeler and Tsuyoshi Wada, while Kris Bryant provided the muscle. Tennessee evened their season record thanks to the hot hitting of Stephen Bruno, Rubi Silva, and Christian Villanueva. Daytona moved into first place with the bats of Albert Almora and Dan Vogelbach coming to life. Meanwhile, Kane County keeps chugging along thanks to Jacob Hannemann and Kyle … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/23/14
It was all about the First Round Draft Picks as the week ended and the second half began for most of the minor league teams. The Kyle Schwarber-less Boise Hawks have struggled mightily since his promotion, while his new team, the Kane County Cougars, won three out of four as Schwarber hit his first Low-A home run. Last year’s number one pick Kris Bryant has scuffled in a few games but has belted three homers since his promotion. Meanwhile, teammates Javier Baez (2011 first round) had a four RBI … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/19/14
Home runs, promotions and All-Star Games highlighted the first part of the week in the Cubs’ system. Kyle Schwarber hit two homers and was bumped up a level following the game. While Kane County and Tennessee received mid-season breaks, two Smokies that participated in the Southern League All-Star Game received promotions. The D-Cubs broke out of their offensive funk Wednesday with two big flies that included a Grand Slam off the bat of Rock Shoulders after Rob Zastryzny was hung with a tough … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/16/14
The “big fly” played a prominent role to end the week in the minors. First Round pick Kyle Schwarber had two round-trippers for Boise and Justin Marra also went deep as the Hawks began their season. Kane County received homers from Yasiel Balaguert, Jordan Hankins, and Jacob Rogers as the Cougars finished the first half of their season. Taylor Davis was able to deliver a pinch-hit home run for Tennessee, while Javier Baez had a game-winner for Iowa. So look out in the bleachers, as they’re … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 03/10/14
Minor League Preview – Rookie and Short Season-A Ball Good Morning to everyone at the CCO! Today is the first of a three part installment previewing the 2014 minor league season. 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. … [Read more...]
Eight Cubs Make Scout.com’s List of the Top 100 Prospects
Kiley McDaniel, National Baseball Analyst for Scout.com, released his ranking of the top 100 prospects in the game. McDaniel is very high on Albert Almora and thinks he is the top prospect in the Cubs’ system McDaniel ranked Albert Almora as the eighth best prospect in the game. Kris Bryant (10), Javier Baez (13), C.J. Edwards (44), Jorge Soler (53), Dan Vogelbach (80), Pierce Johnson (85) and Arismendy Alcantara (88) made McDaniel’s list of the top prospects in the game. McDaniel defended … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/01/13
Position Analysis The CCO’s off-season series of articles to summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis continues today. Last week we took a look at third base and shortstop, today, the CCO looks at a position that has been one of the strongest in the system recently: Second Base. … [Read more...]