Down on the Farm: 2014 Minor League Baseball begins today

Mar 3, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop

(70) throws to first base for the out against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

What’s going on fellow Chicago Cubs fans? Welcome to my first ever “Down on the Farm” post. Now what I’ll be doing for the entire 2014 season is giving you updates on roster moves, awards and anything else related to any of the Cubs’ five Minor League affiliates.

We’ve seen a handful of prospects get some Cactus League action including top prospect Javier Baez, who absolutely tore the cover off the ball not only in games, but in batting practice as well.

The Cubs have one of the most promising farm systems in the entire league, having a handful of the leagues top 100 prospects.

Those who were unable to make the Opening Day roster for the Cubs in 2014 will take the field for the first time in 2014 as the Minor League season kicks off today. For fans and players alike, it’s very exciting to have baseball at every level back – we can only hope to have great seasons across the board.

Now let’s get this show on the road and begin with a game preview, followed by the official rosters for each Minor League team, shall we?

Iowa Cubs

Today the Iowa Cubs (0-0) will take on the Memphis Redbirds (0-0) in Iowa’s home opener. First pitch for tonight’s game is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. central time.

Taking the mound for the Cubs today is right handed starting pitcher Chris Rusin. Rusin (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was unable to crack the starting rotation for the big league club as he was outdueled by Carlos Villanueva. He’ll look to climb his way back to the top, in hopes of being called back up to the big leagues and rejoining the rotation for Rick Renteria.

Starting opposite of Rusin will be right handed pitcher Boone Whiting. Whiting (0-0, 0.00 ERA), finished last season with a 8-7 record and 3.83 ERA between the Springfield Cardinals and Memphis Redbirds.

Now here’s a look at the starting lineup for your 2014 Iowa Cubs:

Note: The starting lineup for the Memphis Cardinals for tonight’s opening series against the Iowa Cubs was unavailable.

Here’s a look at the Cubs’ 2014 roster.

Managers: Marty Pevey, Brian Harper, Bruce Walton.

Pitchers: Casey Coleman, Marcus Hatley, Kyle Hendricks, Eric Jokisch, Marcos Mateo, Yoanner Negrin, Blake Parker, Neil Ramirez, Carlos Pimentel, Zac Rosscup, Chris Rusin, Jonathan Sanchez, Tsuyoshi Wada.

Catchers: Luis Flores, Eli Whiteside.

Infielders: Arismendy Alcantara, Lars Anderson, Javier Baez, Edgar Gonzalez, Chris Valaika, Christian Villanueva, Logan Watkins.

Outfielders: Chris Coghlan, Brett Jackson, Matt Szczur, Josh Vitters.

Double-A: Tennessee Smokies. The Smokies will open up the 2014 campaign on the road as they travel to take on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

Taking the mound today for the Smokies will be right-handed Korean pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee. Rhee (0-0, 0.00 ERA) finished the 2013 season with a 6-1 record and 2.90 ERA between the Arizona League Cubs, Boise Hawks and Tennessee Smokies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

He recorded 43 strikeouts through 71 1/3 innings pitched in 2013.

Starting for the Blue Wahoos is veteran right-handed pitcher Mat Latos. Latos (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the Cincinnati Reds not that long ago, a move that’s retroactive to March 21st. He finished the 2013 campaign with a 14-7 mark and posted a decent 3.16 ERA through 210 2/3 innings of work.

Latos will likely get another rehab start but this time with Cincinnati’s Triple-A affiliate in  the immediate future.

Tonight’s lineups for the Smokies and the Blue Wahoos were unavailable.

Here’s a look at the 2014  Smokies roster:

Managers: Buddy Bailey, Desi Wilson, Storm Davis, Leonel Perez

Pitchers: Corey Black, Lendy Castillo, Hunter Cervenka, C.J. Edwards, P.J. Francescon, Matt Loosen, Jeff Lorick, Ivan Pineyro, Dae-Eun Rhee, Armando Rivero, Ryan Searle, Tony Zych.

Catchers: Charles Cutler, Taylor Davis, Rafael Lopez.

Infielders: Stephen Bruno, Kris Bryant, Wes Darvill, Dustin Geiger, Jonathan Nota, Jeudy Valdez.

Outfielders: John Andreoli, Zeke DeVoss, Anthony Giansanti, Rubi Silva, Jorge Soler.

Class-A Kane County Cougars

The Cougars will travel to Davenport, Iowa to take on the defending Midwest League champions, the Quad Cities River Bandits. Tonight’s game is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. CT.

Taking the mound for the Cougars is right-hander Paul Blackburn. Blackburn (0-0, 0.00 ERA) spent the 2013 season with the Boise Hawks and finished with a record of 2-3, a 3.33 ERA with 46 innings of work under his belt.

This is his third year in Chicago’s farm system.

Starting opposite of Blackburn will be right-handed pitcher Andrew Thurman. Thurman (0-0, 0.00 ERA) picked up five starts through 12 appearances with the Tri-City ValleyCats, posting a 3.86 ERA and a 4-2 record through 39 2/3 innings last year.

Starting lineups for both the Kane County Cougars and the Quad Cities River Bandits are unavailable.

Here’s a look at the Cougars’ 2014 roster.

 Managers: Mark Johnson, Tom Beyers, David Rosario, Chris Gutierrez.

Pitchers: Justin Amlung, Jose Arias, Paul Blackburn, Tyler Bremer, Gerardo Concepcion, Nathan Dorris, Scott Frazier, Zack Godley, Juan Paniagua, James Pugliese, Tyler Skulina, Daury Torrez, Jen-Ho Tseng.

Catchers: Cael Brockmeyer, Ben Carhart, Will Remillard.

Infielders: David Bote, Daniel Canela, Jordan Hankins, Danny Lockhart, Carlos Penalver, Jacob Rogers.

Outfielders: Yasiel Balaguert, Shawon Dunston, Jake Hannemann, Trey Martin.

Short-Season Boise Hawks

Due to this club being a short-season affiliate, play for the Hawks won’t begin until June 13. They’ll square off against the Tri-City ValleyCats in a five-game home series.

Here’s a look at the 2014 Boise Hawks (NOTE: More players will be added soon):

Managers: Gary Van Tol, Bill Buckner, Brian Lawrence.

Pitchers: Corbin Hoffner, Trey Lang, Dillon Maples, Jasvir Rakkar, Duane Underwood, Michael Wagner, Sam Wilson.

Catchers: Justin Marra.

Infielders: Zak Blair, Jesse Hodges, Rony Rodriguez.

Outfielders: Jeffrey Baez, Kevin Encarnacion.