This tough stretch for the Cubs will be the start of something greater

It’s been a tough stretch for the Chicago Cubs lately. After sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers, they’ve now dropped five straight, and been shut out in two of those losses. But I feel the need to remind those in Cubs Nation to not panic. This was expected.

As the Cubs started making the call-ups of their young talent, it was preached from front office down to the field, there will be ups and downs. Most of the rookie Cubs have experienced them already. Arismendy Alcantara, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler all got off to scorching starts. All have leveled off. That in no way is indicative that the starts were just a flash in the pan. Pitchers have adjusted. Now it’s their turn.

Tsuyoshi Wada and Kyle Hendricks continue to impress on the mound, and they weren’t necessarily two that we had high on the radar to be talking about as key pieces, but they are quickly turning into just that. And even with these names, we’ve also got a glimpse at a handful of players that could fit in to utility roles. Depth is key, and the Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo injuries have highlighted that.

And the Cubs are prepared. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, along with Jason McLeod, have assembled one of the brightest, deepest farm systems in baseball. The Cubs have only scratched the surface in call-ups this year. There’s much more behind this wave, and they aren’t done building.

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Kris Bryant, Albert Almora, Addison Russell, Billy McKinney, C.J. Edwards, Kyle Schwarber. Get my point? These are just some of the talented players waiting for their opportunity.

The Cubs farm system tallied countless MiLB award winners this year. Kris Bryant leading the way as USA Today and Baseball America Minor League player of the year. Players of the week, pitchers of the week, players of the month. I could go on and on. This organization has been loading up for a full on assault of baseball. The ‘Loveable Losers’ is a tag the Cubs are ready to be done with.

So I know as a fan it’s tough to bear some of these late season losses. I’m right there with you. But the winds of change are blowing, and the wind at Wrigley can be strong. Good things are ahead in 2015.