Cubs Insider

In this episode of the Growing Cubs Podcast, Greg and Jimmy come out swinging on the Houston Astros and Rob Manfred. Then, on a lighter note, they discuss Nico Hoerner's arms and whether or not he could start at 2nd Opening Day (13:12), followed by speculation on David Ross's ability to coach prospects (25:05). They end the second half of the episode talking about FanGraphs top 100 prospect list (34:00), which Cubs affiliate they are excited to watch, including the Iowa Cubs rotation (40:20), and how the Iowa Cubs depth could help boost an older Cubs rotation headed by Jon Lester (50:15).

It is the ultimate Cubs blogging crossover episode this week as Cubs Insider meets Bleacher Nation with Greg and Jimmy sitting down with Bryan Smith, the prospect writer over at BN. With the release of Bryan's brand new 2020 Cubs prospect list, the trio digs into it starting with Bryan's personal cheeseballs (5:30). The guys talk about the mental side of the juiced baseballs in Triple-A and how it affects the scouting of players in Iowa (12:15) before touching on the crown jewels of the farm system of Brennen Davis, Miguel Amaya, Nico Hoerner, and Brailyn Marquez (22:30). The three wrap up the episode with some starter vs. reliever talk (45:00) featuring Marquez, Justin Steele, and Michael McAvene before Bryan finishes the show with his bold prediction entering the season.

The guys are back with episode 21! First things first, Jimmy and Greg reminisce about former cub Rafael Dolis and his new signing with the Toronto Blue Jays (0:46). Then, Jimmy and Greg bring back the very missed news and notes segment to give their thoughts on Nico Hoerner in the leadoff spot (6:49), update everyone on the Cubs Convention farm panel (13:05), Alzolay's changeup (16:55), and Rule 5 draftee Jerrick Suiter being converted to a pitcher (20:04), and the Clayton Daniel trade for Casey Sadler (25:40). Finally, they end with their thoughts on the Cubs prospects who made it on the 2020 MLB Pipeline list and possible players who could end up making the list in 2021 (30:48).

The guys are back for episode 20! Jimmy and Greg discuss the Tony Kemp Trade (0:58), Prospect Live's new Cubs prospect list (6:18), Jimmy's Prospect List (37:52), and a listener question that asks which prospects have a shot at the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation (47:27). Listen for why Jimmy believes the sidearmer/submarine is now dead with the three batter minimum and Greg's pick for the College Football National Champion.

Unfortunately, the guys were not gifted any minor league news to discuss for the holidays. So what better way to spend their time together than by running through MLB Pipeline's prospect lists from the waning days of Jim Hendry to the height of the rebuild? Greg and Jimmy start back in 2011 and give their thoughts on everyone from Vitters to Bryant to Torres. (Related: Check out the 2014 Cubs top prospect list for a good time)

In a jam-packed episode, the guys sit down to talk about the newest Cubs prospect list that was released from Baseball America (1:10), mourn the system's losses from the Rule 5 draft (12:45), and talk with first base prospect Tyler Durna (26:45). We give Durna a chance to throw some shade back at his roommate and fellow prospect Andy Weber and he talks about the jump from D2 college baseball to being one of the best defensive first baseman in the minor leagues.

Acknowledging the new decade in Cubs baseball, Greg and Jimmy discuss the new additions, and who was left out, of the Cubs 40-Man roster as well as the new directors of hitting and pitching. Also, the guys discuss Rob Manfred's proposal to trim minor league baseball teams before answering listener questions from Twitter.

40-Man Roster Additions: 3:25
New Minor League Coaches: 29:15
Manfred's Proposal to Cut Teams: 38:20
Listener Questions: 52:40

Jimmy and Greg sit down with prospect and infielder Andy Weber after his impressive season in South Bend. He gives all the details on his approach at the plate going into the 2020 campaign, talks about how he ended up playing shortstop for the Cubs after his career at second base, and Greg changes his mind on the whole "batting around" conundrum.

Greg and Jimmy sit down with one of the writers at Cubs Insider, and Cubs minor league baseball guru, Todd Johnson. In their conversation they discuss Todd's top 21 list of Cub's prospects, some of the guys who could potentially be added to the 40-man roster, and some predictions for the Cubs system next year. Spoiler alert: Todd also believes a hot dog is not a sandwich.

This week the boys talk with pitching prospect Jack Patterson. The left hander really jumped on the scene this year and he goes in depth on his crazy ride from being a kid from Connecticut to being completely out of baseball in college, to being one of the top prospects in the system. His draft story is quite the doozy and he tells all about his relationship with Miguel Amaya, Jeff Passantino, and Tyler Payne. They also lead off the show with some Rule 5 Draft talk. Greg and Jimmy debate who they would add to the 40-man roster.