RECENT MESA SOLAR SOX/ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE ARTICLES ON NORTH SIDE BOUND


2023 Arizona Fall League – Final Recap
Feature Photo of James Triantos by Rich Biesterfeld The Surprise Saguaros defeated the Peoria Javelinas on Saturday November 11th to win the Arizona Fall League championship. The game marked the stateside completion of the 2023 schedule for professional minor league baseball. This …
The Weekly – 40-Man News, Triantos and Alcantara Publicity, Bailey Horn Sleeper Status, Thoughts on the Futures of Cristian Hernandez and Brennen Davis, and Going Back to the 80s
Kevin Alcantara – Picture by Todd Johnson This week was uneven in terms of news. The big news came when Baseball America dropped its latest top 10 prospect list to begin the prospect list season. On Tuesday, the Cubs announced they added …
The Weekly Returns with Roster Moves Aplenty, Triantos Wins an Award, an AFL Summation, Some Hodge Pub, a Pipeline All-Star Team, and Upcoming Events
James Triantos – Picture by Todd Johnson Welcome back to "The weekly!" It's been over a month since we last met like this, but I am recharged and ready to go! There’s a lot that’s happened since October 8 and Arizona seemed …
2023 Arizona Fall League – Cubs Connections
Feature Photo of Kevin Alcantara by Rich Biesterfeld This weekend wrapped up the 4th week of the Arizona Fall League. The AFL is comprised of 6 teams (Mesa, Scottsdale, Salt River, Glendale, Peoria and Surprise) representing all 30 franchises of the major …
The Weekly – Awards Season In Full Gear, AFL Update, Instructs Hope, Mule Returns, and Getting Some Time Off
Cade Horton – Picture by Todd Johnson It was a week of awards here at North Side Bound as we released our Hitter of the Year, Starting Pitcher of the Year, and Reliever of the Year. Owen Caissie, Cade Horton, and Luke …
The Weekly 9.10.23 – Schedules, Luke Little Arrives, PCA’s Third Grand Slam, Matt Shaw’s Hot Start, and Other Nuggets
This week went by really fast. I was down and out for most of the week with issues with my teeth. I had an infection that I had to wait until Tuesday to get treated and then Friday to get two root …
Who Should the Cubs Send to the Arizona Fall League?
Kevin Alcantara – Picture by Todd Johnson The Cubs normally have a variety of reasons for which they send a prospect to the Arizona Fall League. Sometimes they send hitters to work on a new stances or approaches, sometimes they work on …
The Second Half of the MiLB Season Begins Today. What Will Be Some of the Top Storylines?
Cade Horton – Picture by Todd Johnson I’m not ready to write this post. I wasn't ready to write yesterday's article wrapping up the first half. Needless to say, the season is going too fast. And that is usually the case every …
NSB Daily 5.12.23 – Tough Night for Starting Pitching but Iowa Rolls, Christian Franklin Heats Up, and Rujano Debuts
Jackson Ferris via MiLB.TV I know am not sure where tonight went. Between running errands, trying to get the backyard mowed before the rain, and watching the big league club in Minnesota, I seemed to have my hands full. All the while, …
The 5 Series Finale – BJ Murray Coming Up Fast
BJ Murray – Picture by Todd Johnson Welcome to the final installment of “The 5 Series!” Since this is the last article, that can only mean one thing and that is baseball is just around the corner. In fact, spring training starts …
The Weekly – Rule Five Decision Time Is Here, Prospect Lists Are Coming at NSB, the AFL Ends, All-Star Teams Are Out, Injury News, Cubs on Deck Debuts, and a Draft Pick Comp Announced
Matt Mervis – Picture by Todd Johnson The second full week of the off-season is set to be a doozy here at North Side Bound. We will begin releasing our updated prospect lists this week. I will have my list on Tuesday, …
Matt Mervis MASHES his Way to a Fall Stars MVP
It's the season of Matt Mervis and he caps it off with another accolade, the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars MVP. Prior to the Fall Stars game, his season line of .286/.340/.691 (1.091 OPS) more than justified his inclusion in the premier …
The Weekly – Stephanie Lynn Joins the NSB Team, Mervis Still a Big Hit, Zumach Speaks, Draft Odds, and a Jam from the Past
Matt Mervis – Pic by Rich Biesterfeld Finally! The off-season is now here! The big league club can begin adding to the roster through free agency, trades, and minor-league free agency. Here at North Side Bound, we will be tracking how each …
The Friday Five: Mervis Isn’t the Only Prospect Stealing Headlines
Digging into five of the most talked about prospects in the news right now: Matt Mervis, Alexander Canario, Brennen Davis, Darius Hill, and Bailey Horn.
The Weekly – Perlaza Signs, Two Tough Injuries, Mervis Publicity Blows Up, Breslow Talks Pitching, Some All-Stars, and the Jam of the Week
Matt Mervis – Picture by Todd Johnson We are getting very close to the offseason beginning in earnest. In less than a week, the World Series will be over and both major and minor league free agency will begin. Everyone at North …
NSB Awards: Jeremiah Estrada Threw Lights Out and Takes Home Reliever of the Year for 2022
The Reliever of the Year competition was not much of a competition. It, like the Starting Pitcher of the Year, was also unanimous as Jeremiah Estrada took all 3 first place votes. However, it was quite the competition for second and third …
The Weekly – The Winter of Canario Begins, Cole to Head Down Under, Mervis Stays Hot, Caissie Goes Off, and Other News
Alexander Canario – Picture by Tribuna Central Noticias Winter Ball Mr. Alexander Canario debuted in the Dominican Baseball League this week playing for the Aguilas and he is already flashing big power. He had a homer and a double in his first …
The Weekly – Carter Hawkins Talks System Depth, Mervis Goes Off, Instructs End, and FanGraphs Is Cubs Crazy
Matt Mervis – Picture by Todd Johnson Let’s begin today by congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Greg Huss who were wed this weekend!!!!!! It’s a pretty big deal and we here at North Side Bound are excited for them to begin their life …
The Weekly – And the Offseason Begins In Earnest with AFL Action, Instructs, and Some Awards
Matt Mervis, Brennen Davis, Owen Caissie, and BJ Murray – Picture by Rich Biesterfeld So much for that season. With the minor league season complete, the Major League club ended their season on Wednesday afternoon. This week, both Sean Newcomb and Jackson …
Arizona Fall League Preview – What to Expect the Next Six Weeks
Owen Caissie – Picture by Todd Johnson Starting yesterday, eight Cub prospects began playing for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. They include outfielders Brennen Davis and Owen Caissie and infielders BJ Murray, and Matt Mervis. As well, relievers …

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