Mike Olt, Minor League Playoff Hero and Other Bullets

Sep 05, 2014

Hopefully I’ll see some of you at today’s game. I’ll be the guy in the right field bleachers, down by the wall, wearing a blue BN shirt and blue/yellow shoes, oggling Jorge Soler.

It sounds like Mike Olt will be back with the Cubs as soon as today, likely starting at first base in place of injured Anthony Rizzo. He helped the Kane County Cougars sweep the first two games of their opening playoff round in the Midwest League (he homered twice, doubled, and singled, in just two games), and Tom Haudricourt reported that the Brewers were unhappy about it. I certainly understand that you wouldn’t want your minor leaguers booted from the playoffs on the strength of a big league (or AAA) player knocking around Low-A pitchers, but it was just an unfortunate necessity. Olt was legitimately dealing with a hamstring issue, and the Cubs needed to give him at least a couple minor league games to get his timing back and to make sure he was really ready to go before putting him in big league games. Since there are only playoff games going on in the minors, this was going to happen wherever he went – and it so happens that Kane County is an hour west of Chicago. Sorry, Brewers, but this is the way it had to be. You’ll note that Olt was removed from the game after four at bats, despite the game being tied in the late innings.

Cubs scout Louie Eljaua knew Jorge Soler was special the first time he saw the Cuban teenager (Cubs.com).

A great read from Derek Thompson at The Atlantic on what’s really killing offense in baseball: the low strike. Thanks to camera evaluation of umpires, they’ve started calling lower strikes in the last 10 years (seriously, the increase is really striking), and we know that lower pitchers are both harder to drive and easier to miss. I wouldn’t quite hang my hat entirely on the low strike – defensive shifts, increased pitcher specialization, better drug testing, etc. all came together at the same time – but it’s a very, very interesting piece of the puzzle. Want to see more offense return to the game? Move the bottom of the zone up slightly. That’d be the argument, anyway.

The Cubs are pledging additional money to youth softball and baseball programs in Chicago.

The Cubs have a potentially historically large cluster of elite young talent arriving at the same time according to FanGraphs … but how will that play out?

The Diamondbacks finally did something that was a long time coming: they fired GM Kevin Towers. From blundered moves to dangerous, silly baseball attitudes, Towers wasn’t going to last once Tony LaRussa was brought in, essentially, to be his new boss. So, there’s one new GM job available, and there will probably be others (though Pat Gillick says Ruben Amaro will, unbelievably, remain the GM of the Phillies). Some of the Cubs’ front office brain trust – AGM Shiraz Rehman and Pro Scouting Director Joe Bohringer, for examples – came from Arizona, for what it’s worth.

Dylan Heuer’s pictorial thank you to Manny Ramirez at AAA Iowa.

META: Twitter is very seriously considering a filtered feed – i.e., doing something the way Facebook decides for you which things it will show you – which strikes me as the basest form of insanity. The unfiltered, real-time, constant feed of Twitter is the very thing that makes Twitter Twitter. Even if they make this change and leave the “option” for folks to have an unfiltered feed, it could still kill Twitter, as all new users will be defaulted into the BS filtered option, and some old users won’t take the affirmative step to go back to the unfiltered feed when they are, presumably, switched. If half of the users aren’t seeing everything, the message-makers see the platform as far less fun/useful/interesting. And when you lose your message-makers in favor of catering to more meatballs, you become old news. I’m sure Twitter sees the dollar signs in this move, and maybe it’ll be best for them financially. But for folks who use Twitter as a real-time consumption and interaction device – which … that’s everybody, isn’t it? – this could be the start of some ugly changes.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Moves: Wisdom and Taillon Are Back, Wesneski and Mastrobuoni Are Out

Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Tonight’s Cubs-Marlins Game Has Been Postponed

The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Paul Skenes Could Make His MLB Debut Any Day (But Probably Won’t), Red-Hot Orioles, Houck’s Maddux, More

If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Back to Wrigley: Cubs vs Marlins – Series Preview

Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Taillon Coming Back, Busch’s Integrity and Success, Bad News for the White Sox, Wicks, Hendricks, and Other Cubs Bullets

As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 18, 2024: Caissie, Alcántara Go Yard, South Bend and Myrtle Beach Smoked, More

Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cody Bellinger Sticking With Scott Boras

Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

You’ll Be Even More Impressed with Hayden Wesneski, When You Hear What it Took to Get Him to Arizona

Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Offseason Cubs Target Robert Stephenson Now Out for the Year

Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Rays Closer Pete Fairbanks With a Wonderful and Brutally Honest Line About His Performance

Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for...

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Nick Foligno Calls Out Blackhawks Teammates, Says Changes Are Needed

The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

Tab Bamford

Apr 19, 2024

NBA Playoffs Odds - Mavs vs. Clippers 1st Round

NBA

2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Mavs vs Clippers Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...

Brian Twining

Apr 19, 2024

NBA

2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Pacers vs Bucks Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...

Brian Twining

Apr 18, 2024

How to Watch

Pirates vs. Red Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Friday at 6:40 PM ET, Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) take on Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) at PNC Park.Find out how to watch the Pittsburgh-Boston matchup below.When is Pirates vs. Red Sox and...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

How to Watch

Padres vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (11-10) host George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) at 9:40 PM ET on Friday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for the San...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

How to Watch

Giants vs. Diamondbacks: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Blake Snell will take the ball for the San Francisco Giants (8-11) when they host starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:15 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

How to Watch

Dodgers vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In a series opener on Friday, Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9) face Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (10-8), with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.Keep reading to find out how to...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

On Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET, a three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting Detroit Tigers will begin.Twins vs. Tigers Series Info Tigers @ Twins Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET Twins Starting Pitcher:...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

A three-game series featuring the St. Louis Cardinals and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers will begin on Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET.Cardinals vs. Brewers Series Info Brewers @ Cardinals Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET Cardinals Starting...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

The Baltimore Orioles will be on the road, opening a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET.Royals vs. Orioles Series Info Orioles @ Royals Time: Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Mike Olt, Minor League Playoff Hero and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular