There has always been a bit of irony in being a Cubs fan.
Although the team hasn't won a World Series since the year that Henry Ford produced the Model T, the Cubs are still the No. 4 most valuable franchise in the MLB. Only the Red Sox, Yankees and Dodgers come in before the Lovable Losers.
The on-field futility remains this year, as the Cubs are 28-39 and stand in last place in the NL Central. Despite this, there's a bit of excitement looming on the horizon of Cubs fans.
No, it's not the inevitable defeat of the pesky rooftop owners in ...
Sadly, the most exciting portion of the Chicago Cubs' season over the past couple years has been the trade deadline as the team adds to its already-loaded farm system. It's actually become almost as exciting for the Cubby faithful to follow what hot prospects they acquire at the deadline as it is for fans of winning teams to follow what missing piece their front offices will add in late July.
Obviously, Cubs fans would still prefer the latter scenario, but the former will have to do for now.
There are a few current players on the Cubs' roster who may be on ...
It's hard to blame Chicago Cubs fans, really.
After all, they've had to wait what is now going on 106 years for their team to win a World Series. And now that the team sports one of baseball's best farms systems, fans are more or less being told that they have to wait a little bit longer—amid what's shaping up to be a sixth straight losing season—before they get to watch any of their premier prospects make it to the North Side.
Indeed, the Cubs are overflowing with young offensive talent in the minors, including shortstop Javier Baez, second baseman Arismendy ...
The Cubs went with the best hitter in the 2014 draft in Round 1 after the top three pitchers were taken off the board with the top three picks. After that, they loaded up with plenty of arms.
Clearly, their farm system needed more quality arms, and the team hopes the players they added will help in that area.
Based on who they took in the draft, how current minor leaguers are progressing and team needs at the major league level, these are the top 15 prospects in the Cubs' farm system following the 2014 MLB draft.Begin Slideshow
The Chicago Cubs have been playing some good baseball of late, as they are 12-8 in their last 20 games. With series wins against the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins last week, they climbed to No. 25 in this week's MLB power rankings.
The amateur draft also took place last week, and the Cubs took Indiana catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber with the No. 4 overall pick. They stocked up on pitching from there, and once those players sign and begin their pro careers, they could find themselves included in these prospect updates.
For now, what follows is a look at the team's ...
Player: Jordan Brink
Drafted by: Chicago Cubs
Position: RHP
DOB: 03/18/1993 (Age: 21)
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Fresno State
Previously Drafted: Never
Background
Recruited by Fresno State as a left-handed-hitting outfielder, Jordan Brink’s bat never developed as hoped and produced a .224/.292/.299 batting line with 81 strikeouts in 108 games through his first two seasons. However, with his bat faltering as a sophomore in 2013, Brink started receiving more opportunities on the mound as a reliever and eventually pitched his way into the team’s starting rotation by season’s end. The right-hander finished the year with a 3.92 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 59.2 innings.
Brink has struggled ...
After a relatively eventful Day 1 of the 2014 MLB draft, the Cubs have had a little shift in their top 10 prospects list. Not a whole lot has changed, but there has been some movement at the top (totally unrelated to the draft) and some movement toward the end of the top 10 (completely related to the draft).
Based on how everyone in their minor league system has performed this year and based on who they just added, here is the Cubs' new top 10 prospects list after Day 1 of the 2014 MLB draft.Begin Slideshow
Player: James Norwood
Drafted by: Chicago Cubs
Position: RHP
DOB: 12/24/1993 (Age: 20)
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 200 pounds
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: St. Louis
Previously Drafted: Never
Background
Hailing from the Bronx in New York City, right-hander James Norwood went undrafted out of high school in 2011 and followed through on his commitment to St. Louis University.
Norwood appeared in 20 games for the Bilikens as a freshman, as he showed the ability to consistently miss bats out of the bullpen and also made four starts. Overall, he registered a 2.23 ERA and 36/12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 40.1 innings.
Norwood was expected to move into the starting rotation in 2013—or at least start ...
Player: Dylan Cease
Drafted by: Chicago Cubs
Position: RHP
DOB: 12/28/1995 (Age: 18)
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 180 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Milton (Georgia) High School
College Commitment: Vanderbilt
Background
Dylan Cease entered the spring as likely Day 1 draft pick after an impressive showing last summer on the showcase circuit, and it was widely believed that he’d eventually force his way into the top half of the first round with his outstanding combination of athleticism and arm strength. However, that wouldn’t be the case, as Cease suffered a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow in late March that ultimately sidelined him for the remainder of his highly ...
Player: Justin Steele
Drafted by: Chicago Cubs
Position: LHP
DOB: 7/11/1995 (Age: 18)
Height/Weight: 6'2", 165 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
School: George County HS (Lucedale, Mississippi)
College Commitment: Southern Mississippi
Background
There isn't a more volatile pitcher among the top 100 prospects in this year's class than Justin Steele. The Mississippi left-hander is all projection at this point, weighing slightly more than a feather right now.
Of course, flashes of raw ability have made Steele very appealing. He's hit 92 mph with the fastball. There's just no consensus over what he is now and what he could be in the future.
He can put on a positive show in short bursts, like he did at the East Coast Professional ...
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