Iowa Cubs: 2015 Edition
One of my favorite things in Des Moines every summer is the Iowa Cubs ballgames. I write about it every year, and it has been nice to say that the wave of youth which has returned the Chicago Cubs back near the top came through here. I have seen players like Rizzo and Bryant play here. The Iowa ballpark is a great experience.
It also should be noted that the Cubs have what is regarded as one of the best minor league organizations right now. Now, while this does not necessarily mean all the big names are here (logically, you might think the best players would be all in Triple A, but because the complexities of minor league baseball, some times they ma be in Double A or in Single A, based on age, experience, and capability).
Current Chicago Cub management have put an emphasis on development. So, it seems to me that the Iowa Cubs are a mix of the next Cubs superstars and some "can't miss"es that have struggled.
There's C Kyle Schwarber who is tearing up Triple A right now and is only a matter of time before he's in the majors. There's Jorge Soler, who is part of that youth wave, but was down in Iowa for a quick rehab assignment.
The rest of the lineup in that game are names that have been prominent in Prospects reports for the last couple of years- Junior Lake, Arismendy Alcantara, Mike Olt and Christian Villaneuva. Some of these players may be getting close to their 'sell by' date, but all have at one time looked like future big leaguers.
Over the years, I have started to read the prospects blogs that go beyond the Bryant and Schwarbers. These are fans that follow this stuff religiously and are looking ahead to 2017 and 2018 lineups. There are a couple of players in the line-up that i have seen on those blogs- LF John Andreoli and the very quick CF Rubi Silva (though Silva looked great on the basepaths, he also made a big error).
The team lost 11-5 though, and could not quite make it a game. The Round Rock Express are a Rangers farm team and I saw a home run from a Top Prospect Joey Gallo, who many are predicting to be a big Mark McGwire type hitter. I also recognzied the name Delino DeSheilds, as he is the son of the same-named father who played years for the Cubs, Cardinals, and Expos.
Of note, fans are always conversational at these games and the chatter in the stands was that Soler ignored the fans and shunned any requests for autographs. Schwarber meanwhile went out of his way to be nice. That's all heresay though, but the stands generally know.
It also should be noted that the Cubs have what is regarded as one of the best minor league organizations right now. Now, while this does not necessarily mean all the big names are here (logically, you might think the best players would be all in Triple A, but because the complexities of minor league baseball, some times they ma be in Double A or in Single A, based on age, experience, and capability).
Current Chicago Cub management have put an emphasis on development. So, it seems to me that the Iowa Cubs are a mix of the next Cubs superstars and some "can't miss"es that have struggled.
There's C Kyle Schwarber who is tearing up Triple A right now and is only a matter of time before he's in the majors. There's Jorge Soler, who is part of that youth wave, but was down in Iowa for a quick rehab assignment.
The rest of the lineup in that game are names that have been prominent in Prospects reports for the last couple of years- Junior Lake, Arismendy Alcantara, Mike Olt and Christian Villaneuva. Some of these players may be getting close to their 'sell by' date, but all have at one time looked like future big leaguers.
Over the years, I have started to read the prospects blogs that go beyond the Bryant and Schwarbers. These are fans that follow this stuff religiously and are looking ahead to 2017 and 2018 lineups. There are a couple of players in the line-up that i have seen on those blogs- LF John Andreoli and the very quick CF Rubi Silva (though Silva looked great on the basepaths, he also made a big error).
The team lost 11-5 though, and could not quite make it a game. The Round Rock Express are a Rangers farm team and I saw a home run from a Top Prospect Joey Gallo, who many are predicting to be a big Mark McGwire type hitter. I also recognzied the name Delino DeSheilds, as he is the son of the same-named father who played years for the Cubs, Cardinals, and Expos.
Of note, fans are always conversational at these games and the chatter in the stands was that Soler ignored the fans and shunned any requests for autographs. Schwarber meanwhile went out of his way to be nice. That's all heresay though, but the stands generally know.