When the Cubs selected Nico Hoerner with the 24th pick in the first round of this year’s draft, it was quite a surprise. Ranked in the 50s on most boards, the Cubs nevertheless selected the 6’1” shortstop from Stanford and signed him fairly quickly to a full slot first round value. That meant Cubs fans […]
Author: Todd Johnson
MiLB First Half Review – A Few Bright Lights Shine Through
The Cubs’ MiLB system in the first half was not all sunshine, puppy dogs, and rainbows. It was rough at times to watch as a fan, especially in April. Between the cold, the poor hitting, and uneven performances, very few prospects were excelling on the mound or at the plate. Six weeks doesn’t seem like […]
5 Things to Like About What the Cubs Did in the Draft
On Wednesday, the Cubs selected thirty more players to join their organization. The Cubs will be lucky if they can sign 20 of those 30. While the Cubs did not take a lot of high profile college guys, the process, in it’s totality, should strengthen the system. However, no immediate elite prospects were taken today. […]
Day Two Draft Analysis: Cubs Add Some Quality Prospects
The last two years of the MLB Draft saw the Cubs take pitchers with almost 75% of their picks. In 2018, the Cubs are taking a more balanced approach. On Monday night, the Cubs took a shortstop, two outfielders, and one pitcher. This year on day two, the Cubs took a balanced approach selecting four […]
Cubs’ Second-Round Picks Raise Some Eyebrows
Draft all the athletes. That is an easy adage to say… when you know who the athletes are. Last night in the second round, the Cubs took three players (two in the compensation round) that raised a lot of eyebrows. All three were slated to go somewhere between the third and fifth rounds. More than […]
Cubs Check the Boxes with Stanford SS Nico Hoerner at 24
Jason McLeod likes to check off boxes when evaluating draft prospects. Stanford shortstop Nico Hoerner checks off a lot of them. As a result, the Cubs took Hoerner with the 24th pick in the first round of the MLB Draft. Here’s what the Cubs think he’ll bring to the table: Strike Zone Management – Check. […]
The 2018 Draft Likely to Be a Bit Unpredictable for the Cubs
In four days, the Chicago Cubs will select 42 more players to join the organization. Not all will sign, but upwards of 25 or so will plant their John Hancock on a contract. With the Cubs picking at number 24 in the first round, they are going to be at the mercy of the draft and […]
Young Cubs: Nelson Velazquez Makes a Surprising Debut in South Bend
In covering the minor leagues, you can usually see a promotion coming. Sometimes it is an injury that creates an opening. At other times, a prospect’s performance is just too dominant for that level. However, there is the occasional surprise that usually happens at the beginning of the year. Last week, top-10 prospect Nelson Velasquez […]
Young Cubs: The Cubs’ MiLB System Had a Few Surprises in April
Don’t judge the Cubs’ MiLB system on its April won-loss record. Instead, it should always be about development. And for April, several players came up strong like we thought they would. Dakota Mekkes did not allow a run. Alex Lange flashed not one, but two types of curves. Austin Filiere and Jared Young both showed […]
Cubs Have a Latin Infusion Heading North: The Position Players
The hardest thing about evaluating talent from the Dominican Summer League teams is that there’s no one there to report on the happenings. Some get seen in spring training, extended spring training, and fall instructs but it is rare to hear a report or even see a picture. The easy thing to do would be to […]