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Alcántara, Triantos warm up for Windy City

Cubs' No. 5, 6 prospects lead way for Smokies with 2-HR nights
@JoeTrezz
April 24, 2024

Madison, Alabama, is a long way from the Windy City. But the wind was blowing out on Tuesday night, and several players expected to play big parts in Chicago’s future took full advantage. Powered by a whopping seven homers, Double-A Tennessee bashed its way to a 10-4 win over Rocket

Don't sleep on these loaded MiLB teams

It didn't take long for these squads to get in the swing of things
@SamDykstraMiLB
April 9, 2024

Following last Friday’s second Opening Day, all four full-season levels of Minor League Baseball are officially playing their 2024 regular seasons. That has given us a few days to take in and digest rosters across Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Single-A to determine the best of the best. Some are loaded

Crow-Armstrong mashes and dashes for I-Cubs

Cubs' top prospect swats first homer of 2024, showcases speed
@Jesus_Cano88
April 5, 2024

Heading into Thursday night, Pete Crow-Armstrong had yet to hit a home run in 2024, a streak spanning Spring Training, Minor League games on the back fields and Triple-A play. Despite the lack of power display, the 22-year-old felt no pressure over his home run drought. However, a chat with

Ben's Biz: 2024 Double-A promotional night highlights

Great mustaches, Sojourner Truth, hot dog candles and more
@BensBiz
March 22, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Last week, I provided a rollicking round-up of notable 2024 Triple-A promotions. Today, we’ll gingerly

Road to The Show™: Cubs’ Shaw

No. 54 prospect rises quickly in loaded system with advanced bat
@Gerard_Gilberto
January 30, 2024

MiLB.com's Road to the Show Scouting Report series spotlights players who are just starting their professional careers, focusing on what the experts are projecting for these young phenoms. Here's a look at fifth-ranked Cubs’ prospect Matt Shaw. For more player journeys on The Road to The Show, click here. Matt

ACL Cubs' pitcher Peters suspended

Chicago's 2022 12th-round pick to miss entire 2024 ACL season
January 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs Minor League pitcher Mathew Peters is set to sit out the entire 2024 season after testing positive for a banned substance, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball said. Peters, who is currently on Chicago’s Arizona Complex League roster, was suspended on Jan. 26 for the 2024 ACL

This season's most improved farm systems

Six organizations that made the biggest leap in 2023
@SamDykstraMiLB
December 27, 2023

We talk about breakout prospects all the time, like Ethan Salas going from being a 16-year-old new signee to a Double-A player in just a few months or Junior Caminero starting the season outside the Top 100 and ending it at No. 6 (and likely higher by the time of

These prospects rebounded in a big way in 2023

A dozen players got their careers back on track with big seasons
December 25, 2023

Some prospects never struggle on their way to the Major Leagues. For example, the first two guys on our Top 100 Prospects list, Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday and Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio, have yet to taste failure in pro ball. They're the exceptions, however. Most prospects face adversity at some

Caissie, Horton break out for Cubs in '23

Duo hope to join PCA at The Friendly Confines next season
@Gerard_Gilberto
November 10, 2023

Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each organization and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in each farm system. Next up in our 2023 Organization All-Stars series are the Chicago Cubs. 2023 organization summary: Triple-A Iowa: 82-65 Double-A

Ben's Biz: Title winners ranked for '23

Based on how long it had been since they last won a crown
@BensBiz
October 27, 2023

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.

'The Jaguar' back on the prowl in Fall League

Cubs prospect Alcántara follows up 3-RBI game with homer, 3 hits
October 25, 2023

MESA, Ariz. -- Kevin Alcántara has become well-known as the No. 4 Cubs prospect flashing speed, power and discipline in his skill set. Those are the same characteristics possessed by a jaguar, not so coincidentally the nickname Alcántara has had since he grew up loving the game of baseball in

Smokies scorch way to first outright title in 45 years

Horton dominates once again as Cubs affiliate wins Southern crown
@benweinrib
September 27, 2023

With Cade Horton on the mound Tuesday, the Cubs' Double-A affiliate had reason to be confident about their prospects of winning the franchise's first outright Southern League title in 45 years. And once the Tennessee Smokies scored four runs in the first three innings, it felt like that was very

Crow-Armstrong's grand week gets even grander

Top Cubs prospect launches second slam of the week for I-Cubs
September 10, 2023

So far this season, Pete Crow-Armstrong has ascended to the top level of the Minor Leagues and posted a 20-20 season. And, oh yeah, MLB's No. 12 overall prospect also has launched four grand slams -- two in the past week. Crow-Armstrong went 4-for-5 with a double and three runs

Ben's Biz hits the road for the final time this year

Here's what is coming soon to a ballpark (that might be) near you
@BensBiz
September 8, 2023

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.

As the Crow-Armstrong flies, third slam of year

Top Cubs prospect launches first Triple-A HR with bases loaded
@allisonmast13
September 6, 2023

In the Major Leagues, grand slams occur approximately once in every 1,500 at-bats. This season, there's been one every 0.08 percent of at-bats. But for Pete Crow-Armstrong, the feat has not been so elusive, despite the fact that he typically leads off. MLB’s No. 12 prospect hit his third grand

MiLB Player of the Week Spotlight: Cubs' Nwogu

Outfielder hit safely in all five games for the Double-A Smokies
@RobTnova24
August 24, 2023

Jordan Nwogu is the child of two educators at the University of Michigan, and last week the 24-year-old put on a hitting clinic against Double-A Rocket City. The Cubs' outfield prospect connected on just about everything thrown his way over five games for Double-A Tennessee en route to being named

Smokies' slugger Caissie sizzling in Southern League

No. 3 Cubs prospect unlocks power potential with new approach
@benweinrib
August 12, 2023

Owen Caissie has long been on scouts' radars. A second-round pick in 2020 from the Canadian prep ranks, he has a sweet left-handed swing with 65-grade power that helped make him a key component of the Cubs' return in the Yu Darvish trade. Caissie has put together solid Minor League

Horton on a whole other level, still posting zeros

No. 2 Cubs prospect fans six in four scoreless frames for Smokies
August 3, 2023

On Sunday, Cade Horton found out he had been promoted for the second time this season. By Wednesday, the No. 2 Cubs prospect was back doing what he's done all year -- mystifying hitters, only this time it was in his Double-A debut. Horton yielded just two hits while fanning

Pete Crow-Armstrong Expected to Make Triple-A Debut

Cubs top prospect batting .289 with 19 doubles, 14 homers, 60 RBIs at Double-A
August 1, 2023

DES MOINES, IA – Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is expected to make his Triple-A Debut with the Iowa Cubs this week as they take on the Toledo Mud Hens at Principal Park. Crow-Armstrong, the Chicago Cubs No. 1 overall prospect according to MLB.com, has played in 73 total games this year,

Horton gets heavy-handed with unhittable start

Second-ranked Cubs prospect whiffs five over four hitless innings
@MavalloneMiLB
July 27, 2023

One errant pitch was all that separated Cade Horton from a perfect outing. Nevertheless, his performance on Thursday night was a not-so-subtle reminder how easily MLB Pipeline's No. 45 prospect can dominate a game. Horton rebounded from a pair of rough outings by twirling four no-hit innings to lead High-A

The Road to The Show™: Cubs’ Crow-Armstrong

Top prospect shines as human highlight reel with star potential
@Gerard_Gilberto
July 18, 2023

Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at top Cubs prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here. There are few prospects in the Minor Leagues who

South Bend No-Hits Peoria, Celebrate 4-0 Dominant Victory

Cubs throw 10th no-hitter in total franchise history, 4th as South Bend Cubs
July 6, 2023

South Bend, IN -- At 9 a.m. this morning, Frankie Scalzo Jr. was coaching young ballplayers at the Meijer Baseball Academy at Four Winds Field. At 9 p.m., he was closing out a no-hitter. July 6, 2023 could certainly look down the road as the turnaround for the South Bend

The Road to The Show™: Futures Game rosters

Holliday, Lawlar among stars to watch at prospect showcase
@Gerard_Gilberto
June 27, 2023

Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here. A marquee event on the baseball calendar has come into focus with Monday’s announcement of the 2023 SiriusXM

Alcántara enjoys hit parade for South Bend

No. 3 Cubs prospect collects five knocks, goes deep twice at High-A
@EvanKDesai
June 18, 2023

Third-ranked Cubs prospect Kevin Alcántara had his first career five-hit game Saturday for High-A South Bend. In the process, he swatted two home runs in an outing for the first time this season. The first was just two pitches into his first at-bat against Twins No. 29 prospect Jaylen Nowlin.

Women thrive in front offices: ‘We just do the job’

Across all levels, nine women have general manager roles in 2023
@Gerard_Gilberto
May 18, 2023

Kristin Call’s approach to her job as Single-A Myrtle Beach general manager is relatable to the ethos of Minor League Baseball. “Everybody in this industry has somebody that they can influence,” Call said. “We've had [seasonal employees] that we've been trying to coach up. … ‘How can we best prepare