I think the new rules are probably the biggest topic of the spring other than the inevitable injuries to players that shake up the plans for the entire season, and most of this has to do with the pitch clock. Of course there is also the World Baseball Classic, but as one game famously took like three hours to play …
Roster Check in Advance of Rule 5 and Free Agent Additions (If Any)
Most of the stuff I was tracking was in the previous post, but the official list is out with no DFAs (yet) since the Cubs had room: The Cubs will therefore roll the dice on the other Rule 5 eligible guys, but since most rosters are still stuffed to the gills, they’ll probably be okay for the most part. Now …
Matt Mervis & Luis Devers = Cubs Minor Leaguers of the Year
This is a well deserved honor for both players: Given the power potential shown by Matt Mervis (who shouldn’t be Rule 5 eligible until after 2023 I believe), it makes sense that he’s reaping all the accolades and will likely get an invite to spring training. By that time the roster crunch should be at least semi-sorted out after the …
OV “Daily” Facepalm 03-07-2014
Minor League Camp is open 4 squads were on the field yesterday, Iowa down to Kane County. Full rosters courtesy of the inimitable Arizona Phil. A few words: Due to numbers, some people are a fair bit higher than they will be when the season opens. This is because some of the fringe talent is still in major league camp, and …
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 …
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 …
Minor League Roundtable Part 2: Breakouts and Busts
Part 2 of our Roundtable series discussing all sorts of things relevant to the Cubs Minor League system. Let's get into it, shall we? Myles: Who do you guys think could breakout next year? I think there's a slam-dunk answer to breakout candidates, but I have a few I'd like to talk about. The one I'm most confident about is Shawon …
Star of Tomorrow: Cubs Minor League Recap 10/10/13
Mesa 8 v Salt River 1 Only Almora and Armando Rivero played. Albert Almora: 2-5, 2 R, 3B, 3 RBI Albert Almora grounds out, third baseman Jake Lamb to first baseman Andy Burns. Albert Almora flies out to left fielder Todd Glaesmann. Albert Almora singles on a ground ball to third baseman Jake Lamb. Albert Almora grounds into a double play, shortstop …
2013 Cubs Prospects In Review: Albert Almora
Albert Almora is a right-handed center fielder, and just finished his age 19 season. He stands 6'2-180. He came to the Cubs as the first round pick in the 2012 draft. Taken sixth overall, Almora signed for an overslot $3.9 million to pry him away from a commitment to the University of Miami. Soon thereafter, he was sent to the …
2013 Cubs Prospects In Review: Christian Villanueva
Christian Villanueva came to the Cubs in the Ryan Dempster deal at the 2012 trade deadline. A J2 signing by the rangers in 2008, Villanueva cuts a less than imposing figure, standing 5'11-160. His 2011 campaign hinted at the potential for surprising pop, however, as he ISO'd .186 for the Rangers' Low-A Hickory affiliate. Combined with his sterling glovework at third, Villanueva's …