CHICAGO -- As Pete Crow-Armstrong sprinted and shouted his way around the basepaths on Thursday afternoon, Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson headed up the dugout steps to await the rookie’s return. When the kid arrived, the veteran embraced him in a hug amid the roar from the Wrigley Field crowd. The

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO – Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger was feeling positive on Tuesday night when X-rays on his right side came back negative for anything alarming after he ran into Wrigley Field's brick wall trying to make a catch. He even maintained his sense of humor after departing the game early.

Madison, Alabama, is a long way from the Windy City. But the wind was blowing out on Tuesday night, and several players expected to play big parts in Chicago’s future took full advantage. Powered by a whopping seven homers, Double-A Tennessee bashed its way to a 10-4 win over Rocket

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

It's nearly a month since the 2024 season opened in South Korea, so it's time to take a look at the campaign's early top rookie performers, also known as the April edition of MLB Pipeline's Rookie Hot List. Each month, MLB.com will look at which rookies performed best over the

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SAN DIEGO -- After tasting the Majors for the first time in Texas in the first series of the season, Cubs rookie Ben Brown was going over an appearance that went awry in a hurry. As the young righty talked things over with pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, lefty Justin Steele

Triple-A Opening Day arrived across the country -- from Syracuse to Sacramento and many stops in between -- last Friday. Now the Double-A, High-A and Single-A levels will begin play. In other words, the season is in full swing. As is tradition around these parts, let’s get you ready for

Heading into Thursday night, Pete Crow-Armstrong had yet to hit a home run in 2024, a streak spanning Spring Training, Minor League games on the back fields and Triple-A play. Despite the lack of power display, the 22-year-old felt no pressure over his home run drought. However, a chat with

With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the Cubs' Top 30 prospects are projected to start: 1. Pete Crow-Armstrong (MLB No. 16), OF -- Iowa (Triple-A) 2. Cade Horton (MLB No. 25), RHP -- Tennessee (Double-A) 3. Owen Caissie (MLB No. 45), OF -- Iowa (Triple-A) 4.

CHICAGO -- Craig Counsell had heard plenty about the Cubs’ improved farm system, but Spring Training really gave the manager an opportunity to see it for himself. What jumped out to Counsell was the volume of potential impact prospects steadily climbing up the organizational ladder and approaching the big leagues.

ARLINGTON -- Ben Brown allowed himself a moment to reflect on his path to the Majors when he was en route to Texas on Saturday morning. Sitting next to his wife on the flight, the Cubs rookie pulled up some pictures from when his professional journey began. “The guy who

MESA, Ariz. -- After Luke Little exited his outing against the Mariners on Sunday afternoon, he was informed that Cubs manager Craig Counsell wanted to have a word with him. Little prepared himself for both possible outcomes as he approached the manager. “I was like, ‘This is either going to

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Last week, I provided a rollicking round-up of notable 2024 Triple-A promotions. Today, we’ll gingerly

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Jordan Wicks was summoned to the office of Cubs manager Craig Counsell earlier this week and learned he would begin the season in the Opening Day rotation. Javier Assad received the same news on Thursday morning. “It’s something I don’t take lightly,” Wicks said. “I’m super appreciative,

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian's Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MESA, Ariz. -- While rain pounded a tarp covering the Sloan Park diamond on Friday afternoon, a group of Cubs prospects headed to the ballpark’s concourse to sign autographs. If the weather was not going to play along with the inaugural Spring Breakout showcase, at least fans could walk away

The Cubs and White Sox will renew their rivalry in a unique format on Friday, when the Spring Breakout pits the cross-town teams’ top prospects against each other. The showcase is a first of its kind exhibition featuring highly-touted prospects from each farm system. Here’s everything to know about the

Spring Breakout is here, and if you can’t tell, we’re just a little excited. It all started on Thursday, when No. 7 Reds prospect Cam Collier hit the first homer in a 4-1 victory over the Rangers' prospects, and the showdown of the night saw MLB Pipeline's No. 3 overall

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian's Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The 2024 MLB Pipeline preseason Farm System Rankings were published Friday night, giving fans an idea of how the young talent of each organization lines up. Supporters for all 30 clubs will get a closer look at the next generation of stars this week during MLB's inaugural Spring Breakout --

MESA, Ariz. -- Cade Horton took a seat on the metal bleachers behind Field 1 earlier this spring, observing a round of live batting practice. The pitching prospect watched intently as Cubs lefty Jordan Wicks went through his workout as a candidate for an Opening Day rotation spot. A year

MESA, Ariz. -- For the past few years, Jason Kanzler’s world of baseball instruction was much smaller. Working for the Astros, he had moved from Minor League hitting coordinator to being on the Major League staff, helping that Houston lineup win the 2022 World Series. When he took the gig