Star Development, the Lessons of David Bote, Thanks Padres, and Other Bullets

We’ve been borrowing a gait trainer (this big rolling walker thing) to help The Littlest Girl explore her world and practice taking steps for a long time now, but today – finally – insurance came through and she got her OWN gait trainer delivered. The Wife just sent me video of her cruising around in her shiny new set of wheels and I’m over the moon right now.

  • David Bote has been many things this year, and I think you already know and appreciate most of them. But the one I’d like to point out right here is that he is a reminder of just how long it can take for the farm system development process to bear fruit. While there may be some draft picks and signings that demonstrate value within two or three years – either by way of promotion or trade – that isn’t necessarily the rule. Bote was an 18th round draft pick all the way back in this front office’s first draft with the Cubs in 2012. When we talk about “how they’ve done”, it’s important to remember that very long tail of farm development. And that isn’t just about the ages of guys who follow a typical development curve – Bote, who was drafted out of junior college – didn’t really establish himself as a legitimate prospect until some five years after he was drafted!
  • (Heck, the Cubs’ farm system pitcher of the month in July was a guy the Cubs acquired for Tony Campana five and a half years ago! And that guy – Erick Leal – is still only in High-A!)
  • The Padres didn’t use up all their offense on the Cubs, as they put up an 11-spot on the Brewers last night, helping grow the Cubs’ NL Central lead back to a much-more-comfortable 2.5 games. And I’m worried about Kato:
  • You probably know this to be true, anecdotally, but it’s fun to see Javy Baez’s development demonstrated in this way:
  • What’s especially interesting there is that Baez was a very whole-fields guy in 2015, but the power wasn’t there to the opposite field. Then he became very pull-inclined in 2016, started adjusting in 2017, and is now going the opposite way the most he has since that 2015 season. He still pulls the ball a lot, but it’s not like you’d want him to stop that completely – that’s where your easiest power is always going to be.
  • Speaking of Javy being awesome, this is unbelievable:
  • And I mean it is literally unbelievable, because it’s a joke picture I made, but a lotta folks thought the Cardinals were just being weird. Instead, the Cardinals were trolling the Cubs in response to their excellent trolling:
  • Raise your hand if you’re the MVP:
  • (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

  • Good job, Cubs fans:
  • Happy birthday, Rizzo:
  • Happy birthday to Anthony Rizzo! May he blow out all his candles, hit a lead off dinger, and then pitch a perfect 9th! #Cubs #EverybodyIn

    A post shared by Bleacher Nation (@bleachernation) on

  • I don’t know, man – someone’s getting in before Trubisky?
  • Coffee makers, computers, and slime are among the Deals of the Day Amazon today.
  • Nike and Under Armour gear is 25% off at the MLB Shop today, so get after that:
  • written by

    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

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2 – April 15, 2024

    Un-be-lievable. That game went from snooze-fest to nail-biter in a HURRY. And I don't think I'm too far off base saying the Cubs got pretty lucky in that one. Not only were they able to tie the game in the...

    NO WAY! Michael Busch Ties Cubs HR History with Yet ANOTHER Home Run

    Coming into tonight's game, Michael Busch had homered in four straight contests. The streak was notable enough for all the obvious reasons, but it was especially interesting because all four long balls came with two strikes and all four came...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Diamondbacks – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs are opening up a new series tonight in Arizona, and they'll do it without their ace, Justin Steele, their No. 3, Jameson Taillon, one of their top relievers, Julian Merryweather, and, their most important hitter....

    Oh, No! Seiya Suzuki to the IL with an Oblique Injury

    I hate Mondays. I hate the NL West. And I hate obliques. After losing their No. 3 starter before the season (Jameson Taillon), their ace on Opening Day (Justin Steele), and one of their best relievers a week ago (Julian...

    The West Coast is Almost Behind Us (But Not Yet!) – Cubs vs Diamondbacks Series Preview

    Cubs vs Diamondbacks — This West Coast nonsense is nearly at an end. Following this three-game road series against the Diamondbacks, the Cubs will head back home for four-straight games against the Marlins at Wrigley Field, followed by a schedule...

    Andrew McCutchen is an Extremely Elite Person

    As NL Central dwellers, we've long known two things about Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen: (1) he's pretty darn good at baseball, and (2) he's an even better person. The latest example of both comes by way of his 300th...

    More Fun with Michael Busch’s Historic Home Run Streak

    It's still way too early to make definitive statements on the surprise offseason trade that netted the Cubs Michael Busch and Yency Almonte from the Dodgers in exchange for pitching prospect Jackson Ferris and outfield prospect Zyhir Hope. I look...

    Hector Neris Has Had a Brutal Start to the Year – But What Can the Cubs Do?

    Even if there weren't concerns about his velocity-drop coming into the season, anybody would've projected regression for Hector Neris in 2024. The Cubs primary set-up man (and big offseason free agent relief signing) had a 1.71 ERA for the Astros...

    Former Cubs Pitcher Ken Holtzman Has Passed Away

    Although he pitched before my time, I always think of two things when I hear the name Ken Holtzman: very good lefty, two no-hitters. Indeed, Holtzman was one of the most successful starting pitchers in Cubs history, and recorded two...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 15, 2024: Weekend Wrap

    Catch up on all of the action from the Cubs minor league affiliates over the weekend in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | April 14, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs (9-6) Iowa starter Sam McWilliams allowed seven runs on...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Mets vs. Pirates: Live Stream or on TV

    The New York Mets (8-8), with Jose Quintana on the hill, host the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-6) who will hand the ball to Jared Jones, at 7:10 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to...

    Mariners vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Mitch Haniger and the Seattle Mariners (6-10) host Spencer Steer and the Cincinnati Reds (9-6) at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Seattle-Cincinnati matchup below.When is Mariners vs. Reds and when does it...

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

    The Arizona Diamondbacks (8-8), led by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., host Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs (9-6) at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the Arizona-Chicago matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs....

    How to Watch Cardinals vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

    On Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (7-9) take on Shea Langeliers and the Oakland Athletics (7-9) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.See how to watch the St. Louis-Oakland matchup below.When is Cardinals vs. Athletics and...

    Bruins vs. Senators Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

    The Boston Bruins are moderate favorites (-218) at home against the Ottawa Senators (+180) on Tuesday at 7:00 PM ET.Bruins vs. Senators Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Bruins (-218)Underdog: Senators (+180)Total: 6Best Bruins vs. Senators Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1"]How to Watch Bruins...

    Flyers vs. Capitals Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

    The Philadelphia Flyers are -135 on the moneyline versus the Washington Capitals (+114) on Tuesday, with this matchup taking place at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.Flyers vs. Capitals Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Flyers (-135)Underdog: Capitals (+114)Total: 5.5Best Flyers vs. Capitals Promo...

    Red Wings vs. Canadiens Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

    The sportsbooks fancy the visiting Detroit Red Wings (-162) over the Montreal Canadiens (+136) when they face off on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:00 PM ET.Red Wings vs. Canadiens Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Red Wings (-162)Underdog: Canadiens (+136)Total: 6.5Best Red Wings...

    NO WAY! Michael Busch Ties Cubs HR History with Yet ANOTHER Home Run

    Coming into tonight's game, Michael Busch had homered in four straight contests. The streak was notable enough for all the obvious reasons, but it was especially interesting because all four long balls came with two strikes and all four came...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2 – April 15, 2024

    Un-be-lievable. That game went from snooze-fest to nail-biter in a HURRY. And I don't think I'm too far off base saying the Cubs got pretty lucky in that one. Not only were they able to tie the game in the...

    How to Watch Phillies vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    Trea Turner and the Philadelphia Phillies (9-8) host Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (4-13) on Tuesday, with first pitch at 6:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Philadelphia-Colorado matchup below.When is Phillies vs. Rockies and...

    more cubs news