Cubs Den

Category: prospects

Offseason Prospect Overview: Matt Swarmer

Season Review Matt Swarmer entered 2018 as a fringe prospect after spending the majority of 2017 as a swingman in Eugene and South Bend. But the Cubs did show enough confidence in his mental toughness to give him three emergency starts in Tennessee and Iowa at the end of the year. He struggled a bit... Read more »

By Michael Ernst,
February 4, 2019 at 2:10 pm

• 17 comments

Cubs in the Off-Season Leagues - Week 17

Good morning, and welcome to Cubs Den’s final coverage of Cubs in the off-season leagues. In today’s report, the Mexican Pacific and Australian Baseball Leagues crown champions while Cubs Den names their Player and Pitcher of the Winter. Cubs Den Player of the Winter Nico Hoerner, INF Almost as soon as his name was announced as their first... Read more »

By Tom U,
February 4, 2019 at 6:00 am

• 2 comments

Prospect Overview: Oscar De La Cruz

Season Review Like Duane Underwood with Tennessee in 2017, I set low productivity expectations. I simply wanted to see Oscar de la Cruz show he could hold up for 100 innings and get into the rhythm of pitching every five days. I expected there to be ups-and-downs, which there were, but de la Cruz did... Read more »

By Michael Ernst,
February 3, 2019 at 11:24 pm

• 66 comments

Offseason Prospect Overview: Duncan Robinson

Season Review Not much was expected of Duncan Robinson when the Cubs selected him in the 9th round of the 2016 draft out of Dartmouth. He signed for peanuts and then didn’t make much of an impression during his handful of pro appearances post-draft that season. Sure, he looked the part at 6’6″ 220 pounds,... Read more »

By Michael Ernst,
February 2, 2019 at 9:21 pm

• 12 comments

Offseason Prospect Overview: Justin Steele

Season Review After agreeing to an under slot deal with fourth overall pick Kyle Schwarber during the 2014 draft, the Cubs were able to spread their extra bonus pool money out on a trio of high upside prep hurlers in rounds four through six. Dylan Cease was the jewel of the crop as a first round... Read more »

By Michael Ernst,
February 2, 2019 at 9:20 am

• 21 comments

Offseason Prospect Overview: Duane Underwood, Jr.

Season Review Coming off his first healthy season since A-ball, Duane Underwood, Jr. entered 2018 with momentum. He drew praise from Joe Maddon during Spring Training for looking more prepared and confident than he had in 2017. Underwood carried that confidence over into the regular season as part of the Iowa starting rotation. It would... Read more »

By Michael Ernst,
February 1, 2019 at 7:16 pm

• 6 comments

Dakota Mekkes Stands Above

A quick glance at Dakota Mekkes and you would think you’re looking at a football player rather than a baseball pitcher. Think again. Mekkes has arguably been one of the Cubs most successful “homegrown” pitchers in recent years and appears to be at Wrigley’s doorstep. The Cubs selected Mekkes in the 10th round of the... Read more »

By Stephanie Lynn,
February 1, 2019 at 8:18 am

• 5 comments

Offseason Prospect Overview: D.J. Wilson

Season Review A tumultuous career, filled with injury and inconsistency, continued in 2018 for D.J. Wilson. There are few in the system that can match his athletic talents, and the Cubs have been aggressively promoting him despite a lack of sustained success, but his lack of experience and polish caught up to him a bit... Read more »

By Michael Ernst,
January 31, 2019 at 7:15 pm

• 18 comments

Offseason Prospect Overview: Jimmy Herron

Season Review An elbow injury his final season at Duke limited him Jimmy Herron to left with the Blue Devils but he did see some time in center after turning professional as a third round pick of the Cubs. I didn’t manage to get a good read on his arm in his limited action, but... Read more »

By Michael Ernst,
January 31, 2019 at 7:54 am

• 9 comments

Offseason Prospect Overview: Zack Short

Season Review Zack Short suffered through some slumps in his collegiate career but the Cubs scouts saw the potential he possessed and stuck with him throughout. The team eventually chose him in 17th round of the 2016 draft. Immediately upon turning pro Short began rewarding their faith by exceeding all expectations. He showed patience on... Read more »

By Michael Ernst,
January 30, 2019 at 8:22 pm

• 21 comments

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