There was very little about today's Cubs game versus the Angels that was worth talking about, but there was a seedling of hope burrowed in the manure of this game. After the "starters" were mostly pulled in the 5th inning or so, we got to see Albert Almora, Jorge Soler, Arismendy Alcantara, Javier Baez, and Kris Bryant all on the field …
BP’s top 10 Cubs prospects + consensus Top 14 prospects
The BP list came out, and it's a great read. Here it is, but a sub is required. I recommend getting a subscription; it really is great work. I won't share any of the bits besides the Top 10 list: 1. Baez 2. Bryant 3. Almora 4. Soler 5. Edwards 6. Alcantara 7. Johnson 8. Vogelbach 9. Villanueva 10. Candelario …
Javier Baez and projections
It's the season of projections and they're all starting to come out or already have. About ten days ago I was looking at Javier Baez's page on Fangraphs and saw that Oliver projected him to have a .336 wOBA (109 wRC+) and 4.2 fWAR. Of course, about 15 runs of that was defense and from what we know, Baez isn't …
Daytona Cubs named Baseball America’s 2013 Minor League Team of the Year
In what seems to me to be a fairly unsurprising choice, Baseball America named the Daytona Cubs as 2013's Minor League Team of the Year. The article is free here, and absolutely worth a read. The important part: The season included special moments such as shortstop Javier Baez’s four home run effort on June 10 against Fort Myers. Matt Loosen …
Cubs shopping Castro for pitching?
Matthew Cerrone of Metsblog is reporting that the Cubs are looking for pitching in a Starlin Castro trade, 'according to people familiar with the organization'. With Javier Baez breathing down his neck much more quickly than expected and the equally fast-moving Kris Bryant blocking Baez from moving to 3b, the Cubs might have to make up their mind sooner than they planned …
Do Arizona Fall League (AFL) Stats Mean Anything?
Be sure to enter the OV Free Agent Contest. It ends when the World Series ends. The Cubs, along with all the other teams, have several well known prospects playing in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) right now. They're about 10 games into their season and we've been recapping those games here. There are a lot of issues to consider …
Stars of Tomorrow: 10/24/13
Scottsdale 4 v Mesa 7 Jorge Soler: 3-4, R, 2 RBI, SO Jorge Soler singles on a ground ball to left fielder Robby Hefflinger. Brian Goodwin scores. Devon Travis scores. C. Cron to 2nd. Jorge Soler singles on a line drive to left fielder Robby Hefflinger. Tyler Collins to 2nd. Jorge Soler singles on a ground ball to left fielder …
Stars of Tomorrow: Cubs Minor League Recap 10/22/13
Kris Bryant now leads the league in avg, HR, and RBI. Triple Crown! Kris Bryant: 2-4, RBI, 2 SO Kris Bryant singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder Tyler Naquin. Brian Goodwin scores. Tyler Collins to 2nd. Kris Bryant called out on strikes. Kris Bryant singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Jason Rogers. Albert Almora …
Kris Bryant, Man: Cubs Minor League Recap 10/21/13
Only 2 Cubs played. Kris Bryant is a good baseball player. Kris Bryant: 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SO Henry Urrutia grounds into a double play, third baseman Kris Bryant to first baseman C. J. Cron. Garin Cecchini out at 3rd. Kris Bryant walks. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Kris Bryant walks. Kris Bryant doubles (3) on a sharp ground …
Mike Olt wants to win the 3rd base job
Mike Olt was acquired in July, along with CJ Edwards, Justin Grimm and a player to be named later (Neil Ramirez), for Matt Garza. Olt was having a horrible season and there were vision concerns at the time of the trade. I seem to recall it being better or even all fixed at the time of the trade, but then …