Minor League Musings

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Myrtle Beach will be easier for hitters this season:

 

[craig]

Wow, crazy move for Myrtle.  Will be interesting to see what impact that has.  

[Jason Ross]

Cubs breakout roster is out. Brandon Birdsell is on the roster, which I found interesting. 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-spring-breakout-2026-how-to-watch-schedule-roster-analysis-for-every-team/

[craig]

• Quote

  If you’re wondering how they came up with that list, it’s the MLB Pipeline top-30, plus 10 players selected by the Cubs to replace prospects who cannot otherwise participate (injured or on the 40-man and elect not to play). So it’s a good bet that any of the included non-top-30 guys will be participating, while I would generally not bet on the 40-man roster guys with a shot to make the big league roster to participate. We’ll find out more in a couple weeks, and then we get to watch.

  From Bleacher nation.  So, doesn't mean anything about Birdsell being miraculously ready to pitch.  

Edited March 5 by craig

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[allen6510w]

Thanks for the video.  It appears that Leonel was added to the Domestic Roster about a week ago.   Last year he spent a plurality of DSL games at 1B but also played SS and a little bit of 3B.  He had a solid ISO last year and didn't strike out very often.  Lanky and 6'2" - good to see that his swing looks good too. 

If he ends up at 1B this year, his competition could be sometimes catcher Ivan Cespedes and Josias Ramirez. 

With more prospects playing college ball, a shorter draft, and a tighter cap on the number of players on the Domestic Reserve List, I feel the competition level of the Rookie Leagues is at a low ebb.   On the flip side, the weakness of the league will encourage teams to start players such as Josiah Hartshorn in low-A, another league that is also weaker than in the past. 

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[Bertz]

 

[Post Count Padder]

48 minutes ago, Bertz said:

 

I really want him to succeed but it is not looking great.

[Jason Ross]

Big MiLB rule changes coming. Link here to FanGraphs article.

Things that specifically affect the Cubs' system include:

1. Starting Pitcher Reentry. In Arizona Complex League, Florida Complex League, and Dominican Summer League games, the starting pitcher will be permitted to re-enter a game after being removed, subject to the following restrictions:

• Only the starting pitcher may reenter the game after being removed.
• The removed starting pitcher may only reenter the game at the beginning of the inning following removal and may only reenter the game once.
• To be eligible for re-entry, the starting pitcher must throw at least 25 pitches in the inning during which he is removed.

2. Check Swing and ABS

International League. All games played in the International League will use the ABS Challenge system and follow the same rules that have been adopted at the Major League level for the 2026 season (i.e., each team will start the game with two challenges, successful challenges will be retained, teams will receive an extra challenge if they have no challenges remaining in extra innings, etc.). As noted in the section above, MLB will monitor gameplay and decide if changes to the ABS Challenge system will be tested later in the season. Players in the International League will not be permitted to challenge check-swings, but, beginning with the series that starts on May 5, 2026, umpires will be instructed to call swings/no-swings based on the 45-degree threshold described above. Prior to May 5th, umpires will call check-swings as they have in recent seasons.

 Positioning of Second Base. To encourage more action on the bases, in the International League second base will be placed entirely within the perimeter of the infield diamond during the second half. This change will decrease the distance between first base and second base, and the distance between second base and third base, by approximately 9”, i.e., double the change achieved by increasing the size of the bases from 15” inches to 18.” MLB will work with the groundskeepers in the International League to move second base prior to the start of the second half of the 2026 season.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Evan Aschenbeck, Jostin Florentino, Tyler Schlaffer and all Kevin Valdez are new names currently rehabbing.

Avitia, Birdsell, both Franklin brothers, Gordon, Gray and McCullough are still rehabbing from injuries last year.

 

[craig]

Boo.  

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[Post Count Padder]

Kohl Franklin will never be healthy again. Bummer.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

 

[JBears79]

On 3/20/2026 at 12:38 PM, Post Count Padder said:

Kohl Franklin will never be healthy again. Bummer.

Are we sure its not just them moving him to the 60 day because hes not completely recovered from last season yet or is it a new injury?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

1 hour ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

 

 

Damn, wish there was vid of this.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

55 minutes ago, JBears79 said:

Are we sure its not just them moving him to the 60 day because hes not completely recovered from last season yet or is it a new injury?

Yep, pretty sure you're right.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[craig]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7144516/2026/03/25/chicago-cubs-breakout-prospects-2026/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=212065&source=dailyemail
For pay.  Sharma lists 5 "breakout" candidates, and doesn't include Conrad given the injuries.  "What other young players could join Crow-Armstrong as key pieces to future winning Cubs teams? ..... But for now, here are five Cubs prospects who could break out in 2026."
The 5:  Wiggins, Ramirez, Rojas, Hartshorn, and..... Arriel Armas.

Armas the most surprising inclusion.  Some notes:

Ramirez:  "But the Cubs believe the power will come. It showed up in the spring, but it’s dangerous to take too much away from those results. The Cubs have adjusted Ramírez’s posture at the plate, which they believe will help him catch the ball out in front and lift it in the air a little more."  "Even if he doesn’t develop power, many believe this is a major-leaguer who can help with a great glove and contact skills." 

Armas, I'll copy the whole bit:  "A deep cut in the system who deserves a mention because many within the organization have sung his praises. The defense is already up to snuff with Armas. Pitchers and coaches rave about him as well. He frames, has a strong arm, knows the scouting reports, understands how to handle a staff and seems very advanced in many areas defensively.  On offense, he’s incredibly strong. He’s been on the ground a lot, pushing too much in his swing. But they believe he has the skills to get to at least average on offense. The Cubs believe he’s a hidden gem who not enough people are talking about."

• Pipeline has him at #20, and also loves his defense.  For his offense, they have "Armas ...has a sound right-handed stroke and a decent approach, but he struggles against changeups and is hapless against breaking balls. He showed some aptitude for launching balls to his pull side in 2025, but he doesn't barrel enough to provide more than 8-10 homers per season."

Hartshorn:  "If one were to take a quick poll of Cubs executives and coaches across the organization as to who will end up on top 100 lists that already isn’t on them, Hartshorn would likely be the name heard most....  A thickly built player with deceptively great athleticism, Hartshorn just looks like he belongs when he steps in the box. A switch-hitter who can play all over the outfield — though he’ll be given a lot of time in center to start — he has an advanced approach at the plate and has quickly proven to be a very knowledgeable hitter who has all the physical traits teams look for."

 

[Bertz]

Armas is legit.  He was IIRC called the best defensive catcher in the country in that draft.  The fact that he's showing even a little life with the bat is huge.  Like it's probably not a star profile but no reason he can't be Yan Gomes or something thereabouts.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

How good are we talking? Like Patrick Bailey level?

[craig]

2 hours ago, Bertz said:

Armas is legit.  He was IIRC called the best defensive catcher in the country in that draft.  The fact that he's showing even a little life with the bat is huge.  Like it's probably not a star profile but no reason he can't be Yan Gomes or something thereabouts.

Not to belabor, but Gomes hit 137 big-league HR and had a career OPS of .706, BA .246.  That's in the major leagues, not awful.  Armas had .673 OPS and .234 BA in A-ball.  So more overwhelmed by A-ball pitching than Gomes in the majors.  Whole lot of improving to promote three levels to the majors and have his bat be playably antiawful.  Hope it happens.  Not saying it can't; but most guys who are anti-awful enough to play in the majors were comfortably above average in A ball.  

Edited March 25 by craig

[craig]

It would be kinda awesome if Amaya, Moises, Ayers, and Armas all worked out, though.  Being internally well-stocked at catcher, for depth as well as starters, would be super awesome.