We'll be seeing more from Cubs prospects as the season continues. That's a good thing, by the way. I'm filling in for Erik again this morning; he'll be back on the Cub Tracks beat Tuesday.
From Comcast SportsNet
- More on Kris Bryant, now Keith Law's No. 1 major-league prospect.
- And more Javier Baez Watch.
- Starlin Castro sees Arismendy Alcantara's arrival as key for the Cubs' future.
- David Kaplan says Thursday could have been the biggest day in Theo Epstein's tenure with the team.
From Cubs Den
- Some thoughts on trade possibilities.
- Could Baez get a September callup... and then stay for good?
- And, John Arguello has his updated Top 20 prospects list.
From Cubs.com
- The Cubs are keeping a close eye on Jake Arrieta's workload.
- The Cubs completed their draft signings by inking their 35th-round pick. Overall they signed 27 of their 40 picks this year.
From ESPNChicago.com
- Anthony Rizzo has really stepped up to lead the offense.
- Who will join the rotation along with Kyle Hendricks? Ron Matejko speculates.
- Jesse Rogers wonders if Javier Baez' time to come to the big leagues will be soon.
From the Chicago Tribune
- Rizzo is optimistic about the team's future.
- VIDEO: Rizzo on his two Friday night homers.
- VIDEO: Rick Renteria on Baez playing second base.
- But Renteria isn't pushing for Baez to come to the big leagues any time soon.
From the Chicago Sun-Times
- Chris Bosio loves working with the Cubs' staff, even though they're in flux right now.
- The Cubs are suing the guy who calls himself "Billy Cub," charging he has engaged in "unsavory actions."
- Arismendy Alcantara and Kyle Hendricks are good reasons to follow the Cubs during the second half.
From the Daily Herald
- Joe Aguilar files a dispatch from Des Moines and says Baez and Bryant are "focusing on the present."
- The Cubs might be far out of contention, but Bruce Miles writes that they can still have considerable influence on the N.L. Central race.
Miscellaneous
- Bryant and Baez are attracting attention wherever Triple-A Iowa plays. Here's how the folks in Austin, Texas viewed them when the I-Cubs came to play at Round Rock.
Today's food for thought
- Are you a fan of the film "The Princess Bride"? (C'mon, who isn't?) If you are, you will love these Lego creations of the movie's settings.
- And if you enjoy maps, as I do, you'll like this list of the 10 most important maps in U.S. history.