May 20, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of a British Airways 777 jet as it flies over the main scoreboard during the first inning between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

By now you’ve probably grown tired of the whole Ian Stewart Twitter drama, as has most of the general population. Good news: This post isn’t about that! For the sake of not leaving anyone out, though, I will summarize what two Cubs minor leaguers have been doing on the Internet.

It all began almost a year ago when Iowa Cubs OF Dave Sappelt started complaining about not being called up to the major league club after the Reed Johnson trade. Sappelt, an undersized right-handed hitter who hits LHP well, fit the description of Johnson’s job – a fourth outfielder who can pinch hit – but that wasn’t the case. The front office decided to leave Sappelt in Iowa and he was infuriated. The man took to Twitter (@SappySappelt6) to subliminally let out his frustrations, often offending Des Moines, IA residents. The same happened when he was demoted this season, with his final comment being “back to the trenches”.

And then there was Stewart. What can be said about the struggling 3B that hasn’t already been repeated a thousand times? Fact of the matter is that you don’t bite the hand that feeds you – and much less on the Internet.

But once again, this post isn’t about that. I’m here to tell you that the new (well, semi-new now) regime of Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, and Jason McLeod are doing the best they can to avoid this stuff from happening with their players by teaching them the Cubs Way.

Now I know what you’re thinking: “The Cubs Way? What, how to blow leads and leave runners in scoring position?” No. The Cubs Way is a complex idea that was brought into the organization when Thoyer (Isn’t that a cool combination?) took over. The sixth tool – makeup – is highly valued by this organization. Players with good makeup, like 2012 first round draft pick OF Albert Almora, are more likely to keep it together when struggling. There is no room to be unprofessional in professional baseball. Period.

But the Cubs weren’t satisfied by simply being told by scouts that Almora was an exemplary kid. They sent him, and the majority of new additions to the system (Including OF Jorge Soler), to their complex in Arizona for a few weeks after signing to teach them to be professionals and represent the organization well.

I expect the same to be done this year’s number 2 overall pick 3B Kris Bryant. I have a strong feeling that Bryant will probably play some games for the Mesa Cubs (Even though he is way more advanced) simply to learn about the organization and how to handle things such as the press and mass coverage.

And if you didn’t know, Bryant is no slouch in the makeup department himself. The tall righty was named Baseball America’s college player of the year for the 2013 season – and it wasn’t only for his historic 31-homerun season. “Bryant’s total package—not just his top-of-the-charts power—makes him the kind of player that San Diego coach Rich Hill said “comes along once in a coach’s career.”” I highly suggest you read the rest of that article. It made me fall even deeper in love with Bryant.

So if you’re worried about future displays of unprofessionalism, don’t; It is a wonderful strategy that will only help avoid Stewart-esque meltdowns in the future and help the Cubs put the best product – both physically and mentally – on the field.

May 6, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Ryan Sweeney before the game against the Texas Rangers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Dolis will take Kameron Loe’s spot in the bullpen, with the 6 foot 8 inch Loe being designated for assignment to make room on the 40 man roster for Ryan Sweeney. Loe was a waiver wire pick up from the Mariners on the eve of tax day last month after giving up eight runs in four games for a 10.80 ERA with Seattle. The tall righty was slightly better once he put on the Cubs pinstripes, contributing three scoreless innings in his first three outings before slipping back to his old ways in his final four appearances.

Loe leaves with a 5.40 ERA in Cubs blue and Dale Sveum hopes that number 50 will clear waivers so that the North Siders can stash him away in Triple A to work on his mechanics. Sweeney was a minor league signing after the Red Sox let him go at the end of March. The lefty bat had been destroying Triple A pitching, hitting .337 with six long balls and several extra base hits to go with his 16 RBI in just a month’s worth of games.

It should be no surprise to Cub fans to see Dave Sappelt being sent back down to the minors to make room in the outfield depth chart for Sweeney, but the fact that the argument for selecting Sappelt over Brian Bogusevic was stated as right handed versus left handed makes it interesting to see the left handed Sweeney get the nod. Then again, the only right handed hitting option in AAA is Darnell McDonald.

It will be interesting to see how manager Sveum will get Sweeney some playing time and at bats. The outfielder is capable of playing all three spots in front of the ivy, but he would not figure to take away starts from David DeJesus or Nate Schierholtz. Sweeney will likely see his at bats as a pinch hitter and as a left handed option to spell veteran Alfonso Soriano in left field. Sappelt had options remaining, so he will take Sweeney’s place in the Triple A outfield cast.

But one area that has been a bright spot for the slugging lefty has been leading the team in home runs. He maintained that honor on Friday evening, hitting not one but a pair of two run homers to supply all of the offense for the visitors in Miami. What is even more promising is that both came against a left handed pitcher.

Apr 26, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

After hitting 15 long balls in 87 games for the Cubs last year, Rizzo has eight in 22 games so far. He is on pace for 58 homers and 132 RBI while having a Carlos Pena like batting average. A more realistic goal would be to fall in the 25 to 30 HR range with 90 plus RBI (basically projecting out a season’s worth of stats from his 2012 numbers), while also working to get his average and OBP up to more respectable numbers. Both the fans and team have to remember that the youngster still has yet to play a full season in a year. If we can live with having Pena at first for one season, certainly we can put up with the growing pains of a 23 year old with high upside.

Lost in the shadows of Rizzo’s multi homer game was the 2 for 4 effort from Dave Sappelt. In fact the Cubs center fielder was along for the ride on both of the blasts by the Cubs first baseman. Sappelt’s evening at the plate is worth noting because this writer was ready to pull the plug on the 0 for Sappelt lead off man experiment against left handed starting pitchers so far this season. If Sappelt starts to take off this season, Friday’s game will be looked back on as the night he turned things around.

The Cubs starting center fielder was not the only under achiever that surprised in game two of the Marlins series. Scott Feldman had a solid outing, scattering seven hits and two walks just enough to hold the home team to two runs over six plus innings. The former Ranger flashed signs of improvement in his last appearance, and on Friday night he took it a step further to earn his first win of the season and first W as a Cub.

Other highlights included the Cubs bullpen shutting the door on the Marlins to preserve the win and a 3 for 3 night at the dish for Darwin Barney. The relief corps effort was capped off with a save by Kevin Gregg and the Cubs Gold Glove second baseman is starting to get his timing back in the batter’s box after recently returning from a DL stint. The Cubs won back to back games for the first time in 2013 and look to extend that to a three game winning streak on Saturday night, again in Miami.