Vogelbach, Vosler Earn League Honors

One future Cub punched his ticket to Omaha on Sunday. Two others extended to push their seasons to an elimination match-up. Here is how the future Cubs performed on Sunday. South Carolina Catcher Hunter Taylor Arkansas Reliever Jake Riendl A 23rd Round choice last week, Taylor started the season in a catching time-share. His bat improved enough to make him the primary backstop for the Gamecocks. After losing Game One in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the Gamecocks needed to win two in a row,

On Friday afternoon, the Washington Huskies played a game against the Fullerton State Titans. That doesn't sound like an applicable start to a Cubs blog post. However, if you take the long-view, it does. Huskies shortstop Levi Jordan was a Cubs draft pick on Wednesday, and his efforts began the Cubs draft choices in the College Tournament. Facing a solid starting pitcher in Colton Eastman, a fourth-round choice by the Phillies, Jordan delivered a sand-wedge into right-center in the second

As I attempt to wind back down from draft week, a handful of recent Cubs draftees aren't done with their season yet. While the 16 Regionals were last week, the remaining teams are paired up to get down to an Omaha-sized field of eight for next weekend. Kinda Cubs will look at how the potential prospects are performing, as long as they're still in contention. Tennessee Tech had a sensational season, but they were supposed to be done by now. They're not, thanks in large part to closer Ethan

Brandon Hughes photo credit to Rebecca Snyder A bit of a mixed bag. South Bend and Myrtle Beach are safe listens these days. Iowa Without an actual starter for the night, Daury Torrez went the first four, and Brad Markey added two more. Shae Simmons gave up three in the seventh, and so went the game. Rob Zastryzny allowed the last two runs to score, but cinched it beyond that. Jacob Hannemann's eighth inning solo homer was the sum total of the scoring for Iowa. Mike Freeman, Efren Navarro,

Photo Credit Casey McDonald I have been draft-committed for a few months. With the draft over, my brain could actually clear overnight. My plan is to return to my more regular pipeline updates. We shall see. Wednesday night was a smorgasbord of quality. Tonight or tomorrow, I'll run through the draft, as well. Iowa Victor Caratini to the rescue. Since being returned to Iowa, the trade addition from Atlanta in 2012 hasn't sulked. He had two more hits and a walk, driving in three of the I-Cubs

The MLB June draft begins in three weeks. As usual, the cramp of minor league games and MLB tilts has cut into my following of college games. I haven't figured out how to clone myself, or stop other things from happening. This piece is about the draft, expectations, and a few names to be mindful of come June. As with many seasons, the difference between the 15th and 42nd picks (pulling numbers out of my wallet) are very similar in ability. Some of the hitters might have better power or

Adbert Alzolay was the story tonight, on a day with a two game, reasonably acceptable minor league slate. That the parent club hit first place is part of the reason. Iowa Alzolay, who's first name is now pronounced Ad-berr, tossed seven one-hit innings. The Omaha Storm Chasers drew two walks and fanned six times. Add a few more starts even remotely like this, and Alzolay will be ready for filling in at the big-league level. Mike Freeman hit three of Iowa's five homers in Des Moines. Taylor

Photo Credit: Larry Kave/Myrtle Beach Pelicans Sunday was the best day in the Cubs totality of the season. From closing out the sweep against the Brewers, to the Cardinals and Dodgers losing. The affiliates went 3-2, with three very good outings from starting pitchers. While not everything went at sought, more did than usual. Moreso than any day before this season. Here's a look. Iowa The season in Iowa is broken. Looking at it now, it doesn't seem that much of a surprise. That not much

Photo Credit: Larry Kave/Myrtle Beach Pelicans Despite three losses in four games, it was a useful day in the pipeline. Mainly, because a few of the downsides weren't that much of a surprise, and the upsides were of value. Here's a look at the pipeline for a Saturday night. Iowa Michael Roth was pounded by a Dodgers team which is a bit of what the Cubs affiliate isn't. The Dodgers Triple-A squad in Oklahoma City is a bit of a taxi squad for the parent club. Which is the standard for a