NEWSLETTER
For years the hallmark of the Cubs’ farm system was power. Year after year the Cubs cranked out one young slugger after another. Along the way that crop of power hitting prospects not only produced several good players for the Cubs, they were also key parts of several important trades. On the whole, the Cubs’ focus on power paid off nicely.
But the last of that bunch was Eloy Jimenez, and now the farm system has a distinct lack of thunder.
Iowa ranks third from last in the Pacific Coast League in homers (25) and dead last in slugging percentage (.351). Myrtle Beach is next to last in the Carolina League in homers (24) and slugging (.348), and South Bend sits fifth from the bottom in homers (22) and fourth from last in slugging (.360).
Tennessee is somewhat of the aberration. The Smokies rank third in the Southern League in homers (36), but their slugging percentage (.366) is third from last.
There are some young hitters who could, in time, help turn this around – Jonathan Sierra, Nelson Velazquez, and Miguel Amaya to name three – but they have a long way to go and will not themselves reverse this trend.
As we head into the draft, I would not be surprised to see the Cubs put some effort into adding some power back to the farm system. I doubt they focus on power as singlemindedly as they have focused on pitching in recent years, but adding some sluggers to the system could help shorten the time before the Cubs again have a farm system that allows for some trades to help the Major League team.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Round Rock 5, Iowa 4
The Cubs took the lead in the top of the seventh, and lost it in the bottom.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee had the day off.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Lynchburg 8, Myrtle Beach 2
Hudson lost the strikezone in the second, and that was pretty much the game.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
South Bend 9, Lansing 1
Once again, Javier Assad pitched a very good game.
Other Notes
