Cade Horton – Picture by Todd Johnson

Prospect List Standings

This week saw the release of Just Baseball’s top prospect list, which puts us at about halfway through prospect kist season. There are not a lot of surprises so far. The only one might be seeing Pedro Ramirez in BP’s top 10. Other than that, it’s the usual suspects you would expect to see. I am surprised that Canario hasn’t been in any top 10 but he was going to be on the border anyway.

Crawly and Fly the W

Rich Biesterfeld, Greg Huss, and I were on the Fly the W podcast live on Wednesday night. It was fun talking prospects as we talked about our most recent and individual lists!

Cub Sign 3 MILB Free Agents

Pitcher Tom Pannone, catcher Joe Hudson, and catcher Jorge Alfaro were all signed this week to minor league deals and placed on Iowa’s roster, which is still pretty thin. It’s no surprise at the Cubs added Alfaro and Hudson as Bryce Windham was the only rostered catcher there. Right now, they look like insurance.

PCA Interview/Article

MLB Pipeline published a really cool article this week about Pete Crow–Armstrong. What made the article little special was the fact that Jed Hoyer chimed in on a few topics about Pete, as well as Pete himself.

Here is what PCA said about the difference between the minors and the majors:

“I think that’s pretty clear that there’s a bit of a jump. The learning curve that I’ve had at each level, it’s taken a second. Quicker at some levels than others […] I’ll see certain guys really well, and others are going to be more of a challenge for me. I think in that sense, it doesn’t really change all that much. I think recognizing that will hopefully set me on that trajectory again.”

That does sound like him a lot as he is a pretty reflective hitter when it comes to his track record. 

As for Jed Hoyer, he see a lot of benefit to Pete’s best attributes:

“He’s going to prevent so many runs defensively. I think as he refines his baserunning and stealing bases, he’s going to have such an impact on the bases. He is a good hitter. Certainly, he probably realized he has to make certain changes offensively.

Thread of the Week

I just love this tweet and it’s series of follow-ups by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. It basically breaks down Owen Caissie and why he’s such a special bat and it’s mostly batted ball data. I just love that!

Poll of the Week

I did place Cade Horton at number one on my Cubs prospect list and I am thinking he’s going to be up sometime this year. I did a poll this week to find out when other people think he’s going to be up.

Dinger of the Week

Luis Vazquez at third anyone? He’s got the pop to do it. Whether he can do it consistently at the MLB is another story.

New Arizona Pitching Coordinator

The Cubs usually list their minor league coaching staff around the convention. However, the Cubs did get a new Arizona Pitching Coordinator this week in Matt Cressey of Cressey Sports Performance in Florida. It will be exciting to see what he brings to the table.

Sam Weiderhaft Returning!

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans announced this week that broadcaster Sam Weiderhaft will be returning! Sam is a joy to listen as the Pelicans broadcaster!

South Bend Gets Some Kudos!

I will let them tell you what they won and it’s pretty cool!

“Out of 60 clubs, Baseball America has selected the South Bend Cubs as the 2023 Single-A Bob Freitas Award winner, which includes both High-A and Low-A teams. Presented annually to a franchise from each of Minor League Baseball’s classification levels, the Freitas award recognizes long-term business success, community involvement, and operational excellence.”

The Cubs are known for their charity work and this year they incorporated charities running concession stands as a way to fundraise! What a great award and a great way to give back to the community!

Coming Up

Tomorrow is all about right-handed relief pitchers in the Position Ranking Series. That will give you something to read on Christmas morning before everyone gets up! On Wednesday, Marino Santy gets profiled in the Breakout Series. On Friday, I am going to get a sneak peek at who could be in Iowa’s bullpen next summer. I may even get a few mailbox questions on either Thursday or Saturday. We shall see.

We hope you are with the ones you love this holiday season and are healthy and warm!

Jam of the Week

Just gonna keep on rockin’ in the free world…