We should know going in – it should be baked in as an assumption to this post! – that the odds of any Cubs big league Rule 5 selection sticking long-term in the organization is very unlikely. Rule 5 pick Gray Fenter probably ends up a trivia question answer and not a significant contributor, but what’s the fun in pointing out the realities? And, hey, the Cubs did pick him for a reason, right?
I find it more fun to go through the process of attempting to reverse engineer the Cubs fascination with the Orioles prospect. What drew them to spend $100,000 to select him? Unfortunately, just three of Fenter’s 2019 appearances were captured on MiLB.tv video (and, of course, none in 2020), giving me a small video “scouting” sample. But I did watch them all, and those 45 batters faced did provide some insight on Fenter’s strengths and weaknesses.
MLB plays hardball – and deals a blow to the heartland
Forty-three franchises, about a quarter of the sprawling minor league system, are being eliminated under Major League Baseball s plan.
By PAUL NEWBERRYAssociated Press
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The Lowell Spinners, a Class A short-season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox since 1996, are one of the casualties of Major League Baseball’s contraction of minor league teams. The Spinners played in the New York-Penn League, which is being entirely eliminated.
AP file photo
Minor league baseball hasn’t been able to take the field in more than a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Fargo, ND, USA / 740 The FAN
Dec 10, 2020 9:55 AM
In this May 21, 2015, file photo, the St. Paul, Minn., skyline is visible beyond CHS Field as the St. Paul Saints hold their baseball season opener against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at the new stadium. Major League Baseball went through with its plan to cut to 120 farm teams. As part of the reorganization, the Saints, which had been an independent team, will become the Triple-A team of the Minnesota Twins. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP, File)
By: Paul Newberry
Minor league baseball hasn’t been able to take the field in more than a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Jackson loses team as affiliated minors shrink to 120
By RONALD BLUMDecember 10, 2020 GMT
NEW YORK (AP) Jackson, Tennessee, lost its Double-A baseball team for next season, one of 40 cities dropped as professional affiliates as Major League Baseball went through with its plan to cut to 120 farm teams.
The New York-Penn League, which started in 1939, was eliminated and the Pioneer League, founded the same year, lost its affiliated status and became an independent partner league. The Appalachian League was converted to a college summer circuit for rising freshmen and sophomores.
Each franchise’s top four affiliates will include one team apiece at Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A. Additional clubs are allowed at spring training complexes and in the Dominican Republic.