Minor League Musings

[Post Count Padder]

But I thought Hearn was gonna be a star

[Jason Ross]

Just now, Post Count Padder said:

But I thought Hearn was gonna be a star

I hate being that guy...but this was also my first thought on this list. 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

It was all of our reactions when we saw the list.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[Neuby]

Killan will latch on with the Brewers and be a predominate bullpen piece. 

[Post Count Padder]

11 hours ago, Neuby said:

Killan will latch on with the Brewers and be a predominate bullpen piece. 

He probably won't but I will be mad if some other team gets him back to form from a couple years ago and the Brewers being that team.

[Post Count Padder]

MLBTR put out a list of minor league free agents and man there are some "guys" (former top prospects, guys I forgot were around, etc):

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/players-electing-minor-league-free-agency.html

As for us:

Quote

Cubs: Yency Almonte, Zach Pop, Caleb Kilian, Austin Gomber, Forrest Wall, Billy Hamilton, Joe Ross, Tommy Romero, Antonio Santos, Tom Cosgrove, Dixon Machado, Nicky Lopez, Carlos Perez

 

[Bertz]

6 minutes ago, Post Count Padder said:

MLBTR put out a list of minor league free agents and man there are some "guys" (former top prospects, guys I forgot were around, etc):

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/players-electing-minor-league-free-agency.html

As for us:

 

I would totally give Jeimer Candelario a spot.  Eguy Rosario and Juan Yepez probably make some sense too?

And of course too many pitchers to count.

[craig]

17 hours ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

 

That's kinda awesome, actually!  Wow.  Heh heh, obviously being a good jumper doesn't make a guy a good hitter.  But man, would it be nice if we had some draft pick who ended up being a really premier hitter with serious power besides.  

[CaliforniaRaisin]

18 hours ago, craig said:

That's kinda awesome, actually!  Wow.  Heh heh, obviously being a good jumper doesn't make a guy a good hitter.  But man, would it be nice if we had some draft pick who ended up being a really premier hitter with serious power besides.  

No, but a good jumper indicates strong legs which helps for power.

[Tim]

38 minutes ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

No, but a good jumper indicates strong legs which helps for power.

Also positive athleticism for defense

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Was 91-93 as a senior at St John’s last season.

[Bertz]

This is random but it's something I've been meaning to check on for a while and never got around to it before nos.

These are the league ERAs for each of the Cubs' affiliates.  These do NOT account for ballpark, which is worth noting because for instance MB is more pitcher friendly than the league as a whole.

Carolina League (Myrtle Beach): 3.99

Midwest League (South Bend): 4.10

Southern League (Knoxville): 3.69

International League (Iowa): 4.67 (!!!)

MLB: 4.16

I think these are helpful benchmarks to keep on hand, especially for Iowa.  Things are so out of whack in the IL that someone with an ERA around 4 at AAA might actually be a worthwhile callup.  I know for me that is taking a lot of getting used to.

[Neuby]

I wish the fall league was a longer season. 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[Neuby]

PCA-USA

Long-Tawian

Shaw-USA?

Anyone else as possible additions to WBC rosters?

[Bertz]

6 minutes ago, Neuby said:

PCA-USA

Long-Tawian

Shaw-USA?

Anyone else as possible additions to WBC rosters?

Suzuki and Shota for Japan

Caissie for Canada

Amaya for Panama

Assad for Mexico

Ballesteros and Palencia for Venezuela

Hoerner probably ought to start at 2B for the US

[CubinNY]

Did Aliendo leave the Cubs for FA?

Edited November 30, 2025 by CubinNY

[Bertz]

Me to Cristian Hernandez apparently 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

One Breakout Hitting Prospect For Every Team Hiding Behind Ordinary Stat Lines: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/one-breakout-hitting-prospect-for-every-team-hiding-behind-ordinary-stat-lines/

[Post Count Padder]

Bummer he didn't pan out

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Bryan Smith is now a correspondent at BA:

He wrote about Kaleb Wing this month.