John-Ford Griffin

Blue Jay Minor League Free Agents

Bluebird Banter (Free subscription) | 11/17/2009

The Jays have 16 Six-Year minor league free agents. Here is the list: Pitchers: RHP T.J. Beam , LHP Fabio Castro, RHP James Lehman, LHP Chris Michalak, LHP Davis Romero, RHP Sean Smith Catchers: Adair Betegon, Kyle Phillips Infielders: Howie Clark , Jesus Gonzalez, Kevin Howard , Angel Sanchez Outfielders: Buck Coats , Nick Gorneault , Jason Lane , Bartolo Nicolas So which ones would you want to resign...

• Minor League Free Agents - Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

Cubs Minor League Wrap--September 6, 2009

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 09/07/2009

For some teams, the season ended today. For others, the good stuff is just starting. We're going to start with the good news today. Tennessee Smokies (38-31) Cover the furniture with plastic, Ryno, because you've just led the Tennessee Smokies to a second-half division title with a 7-0 shutout of the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx. Starter Hung-Wen Chen has been much better in the second half than the...

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 28

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 08/29/2009

Believe it or not, the D- Cubs threw another no-hitter tonight, less than two weeks after the last one. It was another one of the seven-inning no-nos. Generally good news from the farm tonight, although Brett Jackson went on the DL with a sore right wrist. Iowa Cubs (69-65) The Iowa Cubs moved into second place with a 4-2 victory over the Oklahoma City RedHawks. Jeff Samardzija dominated tonight for...

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 24

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 08/25/2009

Man, summer colds suck. They're even worse when you're trying to take care of an infant. Then you're responsible for cleaning up two people's messes. Jeremy Papelbon was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week. Iowa Cubs (66-64) The Iowa Cubs zipped past the New Orleans Zephyrs, 7-4. Starter Mitch Atkins improved his record to 7-11 with a strong start tonight. Atkins went seven innings and allowed...

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 23

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 08/24/2009

Iowa Cubs (65-64) The Iowa Cubs split a double-header with the New Orleans Zephrys, losing the first one, 6-0 and then taking the second one, 2-1. Jeff Samardzija started and lost the first game. Samardzija threw four innings and gave up six runs, four earned and two unearned, on eight hits. Two of the hits were home runs. The Shark walked one and struck out four. The I-Cubs only had four hits in Game...

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 20

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 08/21/2009

More photos » by Wilfredo Lee - ASSOCIATED PRESS Zambrano was just fine tonight in Peoria. Browse more photos » A Big Z sighting down in Peoria tonight. It's all good. Iowa Cubs (64-61) The Iowa Cubs trapped the Portland Beavers, 3-1. J.R. Mathes went eight strong innings to improve his record to 12-6. He allowed only one unearned run on five hits. He walked one and struck out three. Blake...

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 17

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 08/18/2009

Quick note: Today in Baseball Prospectus , Kevin Goldstein wrote ($) "Midwest League scouts are wondering how [Brett] Jackson dropped to the 31 st overall pick. . . Jackson's power/speed combination is moving him up prospect lists while others wait to get their pro career even started." Thought you might want some good news. Iowa Cubs (63-59) The Iowa Cubs topped the Tacoma Raniers, 5-3....

Starting Pitching Better Than Clutch Hitting

Batter's Box Interactive Magazine (Free subscription) | 08/12/2009

The affiliates could easily have gone 6-0 but they had to settle for a split as two games got away in extra innings and another was lost in the late going. The hitting with runners in scoring position was abysmal but there were a number of good performances turned in on the hill. Iowa 4 Las Vegas 2 Des Moines, IA - Lefty Fabio Castro only gave up a double over the first three innings but he got cuffed...

Cubs Minor League Wrap--August 7

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 08/08/2009

Maybe when Bruce Miles wrote that Andrew Cashner wouldn't get called up in September, he meant because he'll be up next week to replace Zambrano. (I'm not advocating that now, but the way things are going, I might soon.) As Al noted in a fanshot , Jason Dubois was traded to the Mets . Good luck, Jason. Iowa Cubs Four of a kind beats a pair as the Iowa Cubs busted the Reno Aces, 4-2. Starter Casey Fossum...

Cubs Minor League Wrap--August 1

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 08/02/2009

Apparently there's some "bromance" on the Boise Hawks. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs zapped the New Orleans Zephyrs, 14-0. The I-Cub pitching staff threw a combined one-hitter tonight. Starter James Russell gave up the lone hit in his four innings. Russell walked one and struck out two. Justin Berg got the win in relief because Russell didn't go five. Berg walked one and hit one in his two innings....

Cubs Minor League Wrap--July 28

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 07/29/2009

I'm in the middle of moving right now, so I can't promise tomorrow's wrap will be on time. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs submitted to the majesty of the Omaha Royals, 5-4. Starter Casey Fossum got knocked around tonight for five runs on five hits, including two home runs, over five innings. He walked three and struck out three. B.J. Ryan pitched the seventh inning and faced three batters. He got a fly out,...

Cubs Minor League Wrap--July 18

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 07/18/2009

Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs were silenced by the Nashville Sounds, 4-1. Jose Ascanio got the start and took the loss with four runs, three of which were earned, in six innings. Ascanio gave up six hits and struck out three. He didn't walk a batter, but he did hit two of them. First baseman Bobby Scales was 2 for 3 with an RBI sac fly. Right fielder John-Ford Griffin went 2 for 4 with a double and a run...

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 18

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 07/12/2009

Here I am after driving all day, giving you the Minors recap. That's just how foolish dedicated I am. I am going to be a bit abbreviated tonight. Don't forget to catch Josh Vitters and Starlin Castro at the Futures Game tomorrow at 1 pm Central on ESPN2. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs beat the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 8-5. Jose Ascanio got his second win of the year in Iowa despite allowing four runs over...

Cubs Minor League Wrap--July 10

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 07/11/2009

RHP Mike Perconte was promoted from Boise to Daytona. Outfielder Burundi Davis was moved from Arizona to Boise. Boise outfielder Cliff Andersen was released. I'm travelling back to California tomorrow, so any posting tomorrow is likely to be late. Iowa Cubs The I-Cubs rode a seven-run sixth inning to a 11-5 beatdown in Bricktown of the Oklahoma City RedHawks. Starter Mitch Atkins was the beneficiary...

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 4

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 07/05/2009

You know, I thought that putrid odor in the air here in Boise was from all the fireworks going off. Nope, it's just the Hawks! Good news is that the help for the Hawks arrived today with Brett Jackson's arrival from Arizona. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs blew past the New Orleans Zephyrs, 7-4. Esmailin Caridad improved his record to 4-9 with 6.1 innings pitched, allowing four runs, all of which scored on...