Chicago Cubs minors recap: Cubs’ farm system still has talent
It’s been a productive couple of weeks for the Chicago Cubs as two of the most anticipated prospects have made their way to Wrigley Field. The hype has been measurable, the excitement has been palpable, and the results have been memorable. We will examine what could be next down the pipeline, South Bend goes dancing and our weekly round-up on this week’s The Call-up.
What’s next after Almora and Contreras
If it feels like every time a prospect gets called up and they produce, it’s because by and large they do. Wave after wave of players the past two seasons are making the improbable the norm in Chicago. Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, and Kyle Schwarber have all made their indelible mark on the Cubs.
More from Chicago Cubs Prospects
- Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
- MLB Pipeline ranks Pete Crow-Armstrong as Cubs top prospect
- Cubs Prospect Spotlight: Luis Devers continues to dominate
- Cubs: Alexander Canario wins Southern League Player of the Month
- Cubs: Hayden Wesneski already among team’s top prospects
Most teams develop their prospects and hope one or two will live up to the hype. In Chicago, it’s almost expected at this point.
So when the Cubs added Albert Almora Jr. and Willson Contreras to the mix, we shouldn’t have been shocked that the two immediately made their presence known. In limited duty so far, Almora has been a spark plug off the bench. He has shown maturity beyond his age and the contributions he has made both offensively and defensively have fans excited.
It took Willson Contreras one pitch to make the league google his name. You could see the intensity in his eyes as hit crushed his major league debut into the first few rows in right-center field.
The plan for Almora and Contreras will be similar to the one used with Schwarber a year ago. The Cubs want to take their time acclimating the young stars without burdening their development.
Both may see the minor leagues again this season but it won’t be for long. When Schwarber was sent down, he returned to the Majors already feeling like a big league ballplayer. The comfort zone was there. That allowed Schwarber to be himself and we saw the results. The Cubs hope this approach can work again.
Despite the influx of talent already in Chicago, what can we expect down the road?
Believe it or not, the Cubs still have a few highly touted pieces left in the farm system. We won’t know for sure how the remaining Cubs prospects will fit into the future. Logjams at some positions have already forced the Cubs to use players like Javier Baez and Kris Bryant in ways that we never considered before.
First baseman Dan Vogelbach is the poster child when it comes to tough luck. Through no fault of his own, Vogelbach has done pretty much everything you could ask for, but he still hasn’t gotten the call. A catastrophic injury to Anthony Rizzo and a slew of other injuries would be his only path to the show unless he is traded.
More from Chicago Cubs Prospects
- Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
- MLB Pipeline ranks Pete Crow-Armstrong as Cubs top prospect
- Cubs Prospect Spotlight: Luis Devers continues to dominate
- Cubs: Alexander Canario wins Southern League Player of the Month
- Cubs: Hayden Wesneski already among team’s top prospects
The same holds true for Jeimer Candelario, who broke out on the scene with an impressive spring training. After starting the year in double-A, the 25-year-old third baseman in hitting .316 in Triple-A. He may be on the short list come September, but for now, he will have to wait out the line in front of him.
Pitching may be the next move when the Cubs come calling. Top prospects like Pierce Johnson have been on the radar for some time now. The recent issues in the bullpen and the large lead in the division may allow the Cubs to showcase some of the younger talent without risking a playoff spot.
I would expect Johnson to be on the short list along with Double-A starter Duane Underwood Jr. and Cuban defector Gerardo Concepcion.
Concepcion, who defected from the Cuban national team while in Europe in 2011, has shown potential. The continued struggles of Clayton Richards and the steady climb of Concepcion could add up to a 2016 debut for the deceptive lefty.
Noteworthy
Congratulations to the South Bend Cubs out of the single-A Midwest league for clinching a playoff spot during the first half of the season.
Next: Cubs bench adds great depth
Minor League Round-up
Iowa Cubs (32-36) 2nd place in the Pacific Coast League American Northern Division
Last Week: (3-4), This Week: @Memphis Redbirds June 19th-20th, vs. Nashville Sounds June 21st-24th, @Oklahoma City Dodgers June 25th
Tennessee Smokies (28-42) Last place in the Southern League North Division
Last Week: (2-5), This Week: @Jackson Generals June 19th, All-Star Break June 20th-22nd, vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos June 23rd-25th
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (36-34) 2nd place in the Carolina League Southern Division
Last Week: (3-5), This Week: @Potomac Nationals June 19th, All-Star Break June 20th-22nd, vs. Carolina Mudcats June 23rd-25th
South Bend Cubs (41-28) 1st place in the Midwest League Eastern Division
Last Week: (3-4), This Week: vs. Lake County Captains June 19th, All-Star Break June 20th-22nd, @Dayton Dragons June 23rd-25th
Eugene Emeralds (2-1) 1st place in the Northwest League South Division
Last Week: (2-1), This Week: vs. Boise Hawks June 19th, @Hillsboro Hops June 20th-22nd, vs. Spokane Indians June 23rd-25th