Jason Ross

Yeah, sadly he's looked pretty rough so far (Paciolla). Was bad in CPX too. Hopefully it's a developmental thing and he's working his way through stuff. Cubs staff was apparently very high on him out of the draft

Sometimes I forget that I'm an uber prospect dork, but it almost makes it more fun for me. At least for me. Like, I kind of already know PCA and Caissie are going to rake and that someone like Josh Hudson is...uninteresting...but I'll be 100% tuning into Juan Bello's next go trying to figure out who this kid is and what he's got going on. In Myrtle there are so many more possibilities because anyone can break out, really. But that's just me. If you're not an uber dork, I totally understand why it's sometimes just easier/nicer/cleaner to follow the guys you're more confident in. With zero shade or shame there. Like I said, I know what I am is the niche haha

I don't think it's mediocre per-se, only that the lower levels are kind of...murky. If that makes sense. Like, Juan Bello is 20, out of the DSL, struck out 7 in over 3 innings in his Myrtle Beach debut. Is he a thing? He might be! But that performance probably went under the radar. Alfonsin Rosario, out of HS and a 6th round pick has been hitting some bombs down in Arizona in EXST, Jaxson Wiggins (2023 2nd rounder) just started throwing to live hitters and will likely make the lower levels by ~May-ish. Still have guys like Long/Kalmer/Trice in the lower levels, too, who could McGeary/Murray their way into late-round-relevance at the lower levels. The Cubs are in a bit of a transition period at the lower levels right now. I think we'll look back and find some new prospect to be excited about there...just right now we aren't fully certain who those guys are.

Hey! I get to watch a full baseball game! This is the second best news of this morning. Behind, obviously, waking up to find that the bullpen *didn't* blow a comfortable lead last night after I passed out.

Wisdom still has options. They may keep him in Triple-A. Cooper has played well and they'd likely lose him.

He went 3.1 IP Saturday. Threw just under 70 pitches. I'd assume they wanted 4+ days of rest after that many pitches early in the season. So maybe he'd be available to join the club tomorrow or Thursday and be used.

No one has been called up. Edwards and Thompson both threw today so neither are likely to be called up for a few days. Edwards struggled with control. This is likely the bullpen for the next handful of days.

Ah, Owen Caissie, traditional leadoff hitter.

Kohl Franklin promoted to Triple-A. I assume, mainly, because I gave him the 🔥 emoji.

Yeah, it's certainly not a great look. And you're right not our first implosion! But even after implosions, the Cubs offense will have a chance to get them back in it; like they did with Colorado. Why I think that we probably won't witness another historic implosion for a while. Those are just so few and far between. With that said, yeah, definitely not a great look. Predictable though. The rotation is down 2 of 5 starters, the BP down one of it's 3 or so best arms. weather delays taxed the bullpen even more, and players are still ramping up to full-season length. It's a tired bullpen, on top of a taxed bullpen depth wise. Hopefully a combination of warmer weather, health across the rotation, and some youth development-bullpen-infusion helps stabilize the pen sooner rather than later. But something concerning as well for the next month or so at the very least.

Oh yes. This is true. And so much fun. I really enjoy watching the team hit,

Cuas does have options. Part of the issue is that right now, there's no one on the 40-man to be called up other than Keegan Thompson. The issue with Thompson is the velo is down and he was shelled in Triple-A (I wouldn't be surprised if he's hurt). There could be a slot opened up if Merryweather moves to the 60-IL, but the "who" is a question that would need to be answered. CJ Edwards just got to Iowa and might not be ready. Then you're down to like Thomas Pannone who has 2.2 MLB IP since 2019 (when he had a 5.5+ xFIP) or Sam McWilliams who is 28 and logged zero MLB innings, missed all of 2023, was bad in 2022... Kind of rock and hard place with the injuries and the young players like Horton not ready for the MLB yet and it being well too early to make any sort of meaningful trade as I'm not sure anyone other than the literal worst of the worst are even considering giving up the plot on April 9th.

Yeah, I think a few things can be all true at once: 1. This was annoying, a game we should have won 2. There is probably a larger, big picture, bullpen issue here 3. This probably won't happen again and we were due for that kind of implosion. So while it's fair to question our bullpen, we probably won't be blowing these kinds of games moving forward.

With all of the excitement of the homer opener, the sweep of the Rockies and taking two of three from the Dodgers, it would be entirely understandable if you missed that this weekend was also the first weekend of a full Cubs minor-league slate. How did the young Cubs fare? Image courtesy of © Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Iowa Cubs (4-2) Opening up their home schedule against the Toledo Mud Hens, the Iowa Cubs took four of six to start their time in Iowa off right. While they didn't blow the barn doors off of the Tiger's Triple-A affiliate, they did win some close affairs and avenged an opening series loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers. 🔥Pete Crow-Armstrong: 112 wRC+, 16.7 K%, 5.6 BB%, 1 HR, 2 2b, 2 3b: Yep, that's how you start a season off the right way. With improved K% numbers and a .265 ISO, the electric centerfielder is showing that improvement on the plate approach side of things is underway, and the power isn't lost with it. The only "not so great" thing to come out of the first bit of the season for PCA: he was strangely pulled in the game on Sunday in between innings. Without a clear injury or place on the Cubs MLB organization, this is worth a slight monitor. 🔥Owen Caissie: 141 wRC+, 36.1 K, 16.7 BB%, 3 2b: The K% isn't great, but considering his age, the adjustment at the new level, and already facing a few tough lefties, this is a pretty good start for the outfielder. He's walking well, and he's hitting lefties better than righties to start the season. Probably needs some cleanups, and there will be bumps in the road...but all-in-all a solid first week and change. 🔥Cam Sanders: 3.00 ERA, 4.38 xFIP, 29.6 K%, 18.5 BB%: Okay, okay, okay...hear me out. Yes, the walk rate is sucky, but it's better than it's been. He's had a handful of solid outings so far, and while we can never expect Cam to be a massive strike thrower, the amount of stuff he has is good enough that he just needs to be not the "worst at throwing strikes in Triple-A" like he was last year. Still a lot of work to be done here, but with a 36.8% K% on the year against RHH...there could be a role for him in the bullpen sometime this summer if he can continue to slightly improve his walk rates. 🥶BJ Murray: 25 wRC+. 40 K%, 14.3 BB%, 1 2b: It just wasn't a great start for the switch-hitting third baseman. That's okay! Kid is at a new level, and if this game were easy, I'd be hitting .300 and getting paid myself. No cause for panic, let's let him get adjusted. Tennessee Smokies (2-1) Like all of the rest of the Cubs MiLB affiliates other than Iowa, Tennessee only had a three-game set, taking two of three against the Rocket City Trash Pandas punctuated by a 7-0 shutout on Saturday. Cade Horton has yet to make a start, and the team goes on the road to play the Chattanooga Lookouts next week for their first trip away from home. 🔥Kohl Franklin: 4IP, 4 K, 0 BB, 0 ER, 0 R: Every time I feel like I'm out, he drags me right back in. In a big "make it or break it year" for the right-hander, Franklin came out firing, going 12 up, 12 down with 4 punchouts. Kohl has always had every tool in the bag but has always struggled to put it all together. One four-inning outing isn't enough to make me a full believer again, but it's the right way to start. 🔥Matt Shaw: 277 wRC+, 22.2 K%, 22.2 BB%, 1 HR: Literally couldn't come up with a better weekend for the 2023 first-round selection. Shaw, transitioning to third base, absolutely looked like a world-beater. With limited run in Double-A, Shaw has put up 9 extra-base hits in just his first 80 plate appearances. If he keeps this up, he'll be in Iowa shortly. 🔥Michael Arias: 2 IP, 2 K, 1 BB, 0 ER, 0 R: Announced before the minor league season got underway, the recent Rule-V addition to the 40-man roster, Arias showed what kind of potential he has in this role. Arias struggled at the tail end of the 2023 season in South Bend with walks, so only one walk in his first two innings is a good initial look. Arias has the kind of stuff that could rocket him through the system as a right-handed-hitter-neutralizer out of the pen. 🥶Jameson Taillon: 2.2 IP, 4 K, 1 BB, 4 R, 3 ER: Working his way back from injury, Sunday just wasn't Taillon's best result. That's not to say we should be worried, just that he got touched up a bit. Remember, this is his spring training as much as it is his rehab, so these kinds of things don't necessarily mean much. Taillon is on pace to meet back up with the Cubs shortly, perhaps with their upcoming series in Phoenix. 🥶Moises Ballesteros: 46 wRC+, 12.5 K%, 12.5 BB%: Not a great first weekend for Big Mo in Tennessee. Ballesteros is just 20 and is learning a new level, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him get off to a bit of a cold start. He struggled in his first 22 plate appearances at the end of last year. Much like everyone, it's best not to get too high or low on any of these kids through April. On the positive, he made a nice play in the field! South Bend Cubs (1-2) Not the greatest opening weekend for the South Bend Cubs, who dropped two of three against the Quad Cities River Bandits. After grabbing a 3-1 win in their opening, the Cubs dropped their next two, getting shut out on Sunday. They travel back to South Bend for their home opener this week against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 🔥Drew Gray: 3 IP, 6K, 3 BB, 0 R, 0 ER: Getting the opening day nod, the former IMG graduate Drew Gray had a day to remember. Striking out six of the possible nine outs, Gray flashed why he's been considered a breakout candidate. With the Cubs dealing Jackson Ferris for Michael Busch in the offseason, Drew Gray has become one of the top lefties in the system. The walks need to be cleaned up a bit, but great first go! 🤷‍♂️Jefferson Rojas: 127 wRC+, 40 K%, 13.3 BB%, 1 HR: I'm giving him the push here. On one hand, he's had a few K's and the slash line isn't special. On the other hand, he's freaking 18 and hitting home runs in high-A. Neutral weekend all in and all, but that he's already flashing power at this level is a good sign. 🥶Koen Moreno: 2.2 IP, 1 K, 2 BB, 3 R, 3 ER: Not great, Bob. The former fourth-round pick in 2020 has struggled mightily at times and his promotion to High-A did not go great in his first showing. Hopefully, it's a speed bump and Moreno can find some of that pre-draft magic that got him a scholarship offer to UCLA. Myrtle Beach Pelicans (1-2) And opening series of highs and lows with a 9-2 win on Saturday sandwiched by blowout losses on Friday (3-10) and Sunday (2-10). Myrtle Beach will move to Columbia next week to take on the Columbia Fireflies in what hopefully amounts to a better series for the Pelicans. 🔥Juan Bello: 3.1 IP, 7 K, 3 BB, 0 R, 0 ER: A wonderful debut for the 20-year-old pitcher. Striking out seven over just a tad more than three innings was a statement. Bello has only been stateside for a hot minute, picking up just 4.1 innings in Arizona last year with the Complex League. Keep an eye out, though, as this first start suggests there might be something to watch. 🔥Cristian Hernandez: 162 wRC+, 14.3, 14.3% BB, 1 2b: Great start for the repeater! Yes he's 20 and yes he's repeating, but all things considered, Hernandez getting off the ground running would be a good thing. Last year and the year prior were disappointments, but there's plenty of time for the shortstop to find some of that glory. 🤷‍♂️Carter Trice: 119 wRC+, 46.2% K, 23.1% BB, 1 2b: Really good walk rates coupled with six strikeouts in his first weekend in Myrtle Beach. Myrtle is a tough place to hit, and it's only three games, so no worries. With that said, the Cubs would also like to see Trice, a former NC State Wolfpack and someone who played his college ball in the ACC, hit the ground running and move quickly up the ladder. 🥶Christopher Paciolla: 7 wRC+, 30,8 K%, 0 BB%: Woof. The Cubs were reportedly really high on Paciolla, taking him third in the 2022 draft, but the bat has yet to take off for the 20-year-old. He's struggled in his time in the Complex, posting a somewhat uninspiring .726 OPS last year, and has started his time in Myrtle pretty rough. With some hope, this is just a blip and we're all laughing at the end of the season. Remember, it's just three games. Is there someone you think I forgot to highlight? Who do you think had a good week? A bad week? Let us know in the comment section below View full article

Exactly. Honestly, I'm really excited about this draft. I think it's really going to be interesting to see where the Cubs go here. Their scouting department has done a relatively good job finding undervalued players in the last few years; Cade Horton off TJS, Jaxson Wiggins/Will Sanders who had 1st round hype at one point but dropped in a thin-college-arm draft. I'm curious to see where they go picking in the 20's in a draft that isn't considered the best and where they see the value.

Tennessee's starter is TBD right now. I suspect Horton goes tonight or tomorrow. The Cubs didn't start him in EXST but seem to have pushed his start of the MiLB season back as far as it could go (my guess is this is their version of "saving innings" by giving him the least amount of starts in the rotation). Should be exciting.

Went to sleep at 8-0. I was very confident. This was an un-fun way to awake the day Spring Break ended and I have to go back to work.

The offense is rentless right now. It won't stay that way every day, but right now it just feels like they're chewing up arms. Every hitter has a +approach but capable of punishing the mistakes so it's not just "patience for patience" sake.

Wow. Great throw Amaya!

Of course he makes that play.

I'd be surprised if he comes back for the fourth. He looks gassed.

I'm not sure it's going to be Edwards. He's a possibility, but do think it's not a forgone.

Likely an IL-60 stint. Ouch.

This is awesome.