A good article on Cub minor league pitchers who will be starting instructional league today:

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2012/09/instructional-league-presents-big-opportunity-for-top-cubs-pitching-prospects/

Thanks again for doing another season, Joe!

That article was a great read! Is there any website that keeps up with Instructional League stats?

The Cub Reporter is a good source. A blogger Arizona Phil does a great job.

http://www.thecubreporter.com/

Agree with skokie joe that AZ Phil is best source of info.

I don't know if he posts stats. They don't play competitive games--it's more like "scrimmages" where they're working on their changeups or their pickoff move or whatever. For instance, if a guy needs to practice pitching out of the stretch--they'll just put baserunners on for him. So the stats (if there are any) are pretty meaningless.

Thanks Joe and Svaz. I knew the instructional league didn't play competitive games, but didn't realize it was this informal.

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DAYTONA BEACH -- It's official. A third decade of Daytona Cubs baseball will begin in April 2013.

The Chicago Cubs and Daytona Cubs have renewed their player development contract for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, the Florida State League team announced Tuesday.

“We're very excited to know we'll begin a third decade of affiliation with the Chicago Cubs,” Daytona general manager Brady Ballard said. “Especially with the Cubs' renewed emphasis on player development since (team president) Theo Epstein and (general manager) Jed Hoyer joined the organization.”

The D-Cubs will open the 2013 season at home on April 4 against the Brevard County Manatees.

Chicago Cubs Chairman and co-owner Tom Ricketts and Epstein, president of baseball operations, each visited Jackie Robinson Ballpark in August. Ballard met with the Chicago Cubs' executives to discuss proposed plans for Jackie Robinson Ballpark and an extension of the player development contract.

Although there has been some speculation the Chicago Cubs might look elsewhere, Ballard said he never got any indication the National League club ever considered moving. However, the team had some concerns about improving on-site weight training and fitness facilities for players and cramped clubhouse conditions, Ballard said.

Those concerns are addressed in a $1.25 million improvement project for Jackie Robinson Ballpark that goes before the Daytona Beach City Commission on Wednesday night. The proposed improvements that directly affect players and coaching staff include construction of a 750-square-foot weight training/fitness room on the north end of the home clubhouse and converting office space used by Ballard and his staff to additional locker and office space for the baseball team's manager, coaches and roving coaches.

“Having a weight room is a must for a professional baseball team,” Ballard said. “What we've been using is essentially a 12-by-12-foot room that can't fit more than two or three guys working out. Having a real weight room here will allow the players to get their workouts in before having lunch or to work out after the game.”

The commission also is scheduled to vote on a new 10-year lease of Jackie Robinson Ballpark to Big Game Florida, the corporate entity which owns the Daytona Cubs.

“We love the (Chicago) Cubs, and they love us,” said Andy Rayburn, principal owner of Big Game Florida.

Although the D-Cubs had a losing season in 2012, the team still averaged 2,346 fans per game.

The D-Cubs have won five league championships in 20 seasons and at least 130 former players have reached the major leagues. The Chicago Cubs currently have 17 players on their roster who are former Daytona Cubs.

Another good Cubs' Den article on instructional league--this time Cub MiLB outfielders:

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2012/09/outfielders-at-instructs-will-try-and-tap-into-power-potential/

Nice article. These kinds of links are ALMOST getting me interested in prospects below AA.

It's worth getting excited about Soler and Almora, IMHO. The other outfielders in that article...not so much--they're just "guys to watch."

The Cubs do have a lot of exciting position player talent in the low minors. Not so many pitchers, although the number of intriguing pitchers is growing, with the addition of Paniagua and the emergence of Peralta--both those guys have serious arms and good breaking balls. Plus, there's the abundance of pitchers taken in the 2012 draft and the pitching talent in the Dominican.

The org is definitely moving in the right direction, in terms of collecting talent.

At the very least, you have to be excited about Baez. He's only 19 and is about to play in the AFL.

I son't get excited about any prospect until they hit AA.

For those interested here is the Kane County 2013 schedule.

http://www.kccougars.com/schedule.html

Kane County Cougars are serious about their post game fireworks. 26 times next year!

Opening Day of the Instructional league. This is from Arizona Phil at the Cub reporter
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Cubs Turn D'backs Away at Fitch Park

Rafael Lopez ripped a bases-loaded two-run line-drive single to key a four-run 4th, and Ben Carhart drove-in a run with an RBI single and Chadd Krist followed with a sacrifice fly to highlight a two-run 6th, as the Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks 6-3 in Arizona Instructional League Opening Day action this afternoon at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.

AA Tennessee Smokies RHP Dallas Beeler got the start for the Cubs, and threw 2.2 IP of no-hit ball. But he also struggled with his control, allowing three walks, and throwing only 19 of his 41 pitches for strikes. He left the game with a finger blister on his throwing hand with two outs in the 3rd.

LHP Michael Blake started for the Diamondbacks and threw three innings of shutout ball, and Stryker Trahan doubled and scored and Chuck Taylor belted a two-run triple for the Snakes in a losing cause.

Here is the abridged box score from today’s game (Cubs players only)

CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Arismendy Alcantara, SS: 0-3 (K, F-7, F-7)
1b. Tim Saunders, SS: 0-1 (6-3)
2a. Albert Almora, CF-DH: 1-3 (1B, K, P-6, CS)
2b. Bijan Rademacher, PH: 0-0 (BB, CS)
3c. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 1-2 (4-3, 1B, R)
3b. Jacob Rogers, 1B: 1-2 (1B, K, R)
4a. Jorge Soler, RF: 0-1 (K, BB, R)
4b. Yasiel Balaguert, RF: 1-1 (1B, R)
5a. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 0-1 (K, BB, R)
5b. Ben Carhart, 3B: 1-1 (1B, RBI)
6a. Rafael Lopez, C: 1-1 (BB, 1B, R, 2 RBI)
6b. Chadd Krist, C: 0-0 (F-7 SF, RBI)
7a. Marco Hernandez, DH #1: 0-2 (1-3, E-6, SB)
7b. Wilson Contreras, PH: 0-1 (4-U FC)
8a. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: 0-2 (5-3, K)
8b. David Bote, 2B: 0-1 (K)
9a. Trey Martin, LF: 0-2 (K, K)
9b. Trevor Gretzky, LF: 0-1 (4-3)
10. Shawon Dunston Jr, DH-CF: 0-2 (BB, K, 4-3)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Dallas Beeler: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, 41 pitches (19 strikes), 4/0 GO/FO
2. Juan Carlos Paniagua: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 30 pitches (19 strikes), 3/0 GO/FO
3. Starling Peralta: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 44 pitches (25 strikes), 1/6 GO/FO
4. Jose Arias: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 41 pitches (30 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO

CUBS ERRORS:
1. SS Arismendy Alcantara - E-6 (throwing error on FC attempt allowed runner to reach 2nd base safely - eventually scored unearned run)
2. P Starling Peralta - E-1 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Rafael Lopez: 1-1 CS
2. Chadd Krist: 1-1 CS

WEATHER Sunny & hot (103)

ATTENDANCE: 17(mostly scouts)

Day 2

http://www.thecubreporter.com/09232012/diamondbacks-let-bats-do-their-talking-stick#more

September 24th Report:

http://www.thecubreporter.com/09242012/cubs-way-path-victory-indian-school-park

September 25th Report

http://www.thecubreporter.com/09252012/brewers-pitching-magnifico-maryvale#more

Soler Energy Is The Cubs Way of the Future

Jorge Soler laced a three-run bases-loaded bases-clearing double down the LF line with two outs in the bottom of the 4th to break-open a close game, and the Cubs went on to defeat the Athletics 7-4 in Arizona Instructional League action this afternoon at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.

Soler also walked twice and scored a run.

Jacob Rogers singled twice, walked, scored a run, and drove-in another, and Gioskar Amaya ripped an RBI single and walked twice, to aid the Cub offense

B. A. Vollmuth belted a two-run home run, doubled, walked, and scored two runs, and Renato Nunez blasted a solo HR, in a losing cause.

The Cubs drew nine walks today, bringing their five-game Instructs total to 45 BB, including two nine-walk games.

Here is the abridged box score from today’s game (Cubs players only)

CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Arismendy Alcantara, SS: 1-2 (3B, K, BB, 2 R)
1b. Carlos Penalver, SS: 0-1 (5-4-3 DP)
2a. Albert Almora, CF: 0-1 (BB, BB, K, R, SB)
2b. Shawon Dunston Jr, CF: 0-1 (4-3)
3a. Jorge Soler, RF: 1-1 (BB, BB, 2B, R, 3 RBI)
3b. Yasiel Balaguert, RF: 0-1 (K)
4a. Dan Vogelbach, 1B-DH: 0-3 (3-1, F-7, K, RBI)
4b. Rafael Lopez, PH: 0-1 (4-3)
5a. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 1-3 (K, 1B, P-4)
5b. Tim Saunders, 3B: 0-1 (F-9)
6a. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: 1-1 (1B, BB, BB, RBI, SB)
6b. Stephen Bruno, 2B: 0-1 (4-3)
7a. Wilson Contreras, C: 0-3 (P-6, K, K)
7b. Justin Marra, C: 0-1 (3-U)
8. Trevor Gretzky, LF: 0-2 (6-3, BB, 3-1, R)
9. Ben Carhart, DH #1: 1-3 (2B, F-8, P-6, R)
10. Jacob Rogers, DH-1B: 2-2 (1B, 1B, BB, R, RBI)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Dallas Beeler: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 39 pitches (28 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
2. Jose Arias: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 42 pitches (29 strikes), 5/1 GO/FO
3. Corbin Hoffner: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 40 pitches (24 strikes), 3/4 GO/FO

CUBS ERRORS (3):
1. SS Arismendy Alcantara - E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)
2. 2B Gioskar Amaya - E-4 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely and unearned run to score from 3rd base)
3. 2B Gioskar Amaya - E-4 (overthrow at 1st base on infield single allowed base-runner to advance from 2nd to 3rd)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Wilson Contreras: 1-1 CS

WEATHER: Sunny and hot with temperatures in the mid-90’s

ATTENDANCE: 23 (mostly scouts)

"The Cubs drew nine walks today, bringing their five-game Instructs total to 45 BB, including two nine-walk games."

There must be a typo in there Joe. If the Cubs have 45 walks in 5 games and nine is the high, then they muyst have nine walks in all 5 games. ;)