NEWSLETTER
As you probably saw yesterday, the rosters for the Arizona Fall League have been announced and the Cubs are sending a pretty good group. In brief, that group looks like this.
Eloy Jimenez: Dominated the Midwest League and is the best prospect in the system. The Cubs are challenging him here; this is probably a sign they think he can be fast tracked next season (at least to some degree).
Ian Happ: The bat should do well, but there are serious questions about his glove that the AFL will not answer. I think this is as much about getting reps on defense as it is challenging his bat against some consistently tough pitching.
Victor Caratini: Underrated at the plate as well as behind it, I wouldn’t be surprised if he puts up the best offensive numbers of the Cubs’ three hitters in the AFL.
Duane Underwood: He lost so much time to injuries that he just needs innings. I suspect he will start, but honestly that could go either way. I also would not be surprised if he struggles early. The AFL is not always kind to pitchers who are a little rusty when play begins (Rob Zastryzny posted a 5.19 ERA last season, for example).
Stephen Perakslis: Probably the biggest surprise on the list. He’s a minor league reliever who has posted good, not great, numbers in Tennessee and Iowa this year. This may a chance for him to show whether or not he should be protected from the Rule 5 Draft in December.
James Farris: Farris has been quietly impressive this season, and probably overlooked way too often. He should be a mid-2017 bullpen candidate for the Cubs. Extra innings here might help make that outcome more likely. A strong showing here will probably move him onto some organizational top prospect lists this winter.
Ryan McNeil: I think you’re going to like what you see from this guy. He throws in the mid-90s, consistently throws trikes, and looks like a guy who could be in the Cubs bullpen late next year. I think this assignment is to get him an extra dozen or so innings, and a look before the Rule 5 Draft, for which he’s eligible.
Speaking of pitching, be sure to take a look at the starting pitching lines for the games in the Cubs’ system yesterday. The farm system had a very nice game from nearly all the starters.[adinserter block=”1″][adinserter block=”10″]
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 10, Nashville 1
The Cubs had all kinds of offense in this one.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee 8, Birmingham 7
The Smokies also had no problems scoring runs.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Lynchburg 3, Myrtle Beach 0
The final score masked an excellent game for the Pelicans’ starter.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
West Michigan 3, South Bend 1
It has now been a week since the Cubs scored more than twice in a game.
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Eugene 3, Tri-City 2 in twelve innings
Eugene has won six in a row.
Other Notes
