Midwest League 1997

Rockford Cubbies

This page is a profile of the 1997 Rockford Cubbies, a Single-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and a member of the Midwest League. The profile was first published in early April and was revised periodically; this final revision was completed in early September.

All statistics quoted on this page are through the end of the season.

Rockford, Illinois; affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.
Manager: Ruben Amaro (#12)
Coaches: Tack Wilson (#6), Juan Pizarro (#36) (Pitching)

Post-Season Wrapup

No power, but lots of speed. This was about as average a ballclub as this league sees.

If they got on base, you could expect to see them run. Second baseman Chad Meyers is an exceptional baserunner, but several of his colleagues were also among this league's best. Getting on base turned out to be a problem for many of them, though; only Meyers and shortstop Dennis Abreu are adept at hitting. No one has any power.

While Phillip Norton was with this squad, they had one starting pitcher who could be relied upon to win. The remaining (or new) staff had some pitchers with respectable ERAs, but only Downs looks like a talent. Reliever Trevor Schaffer pitched very well, and racked up lots of saves.

Team Leaders

• Best Player on the Team: Pitcher Phillip Norton

• Pitching: 66-66 (.500), 4.31, 9 CG, 9 Shutouts, 34 saves, 1031 Ks
• Hitting: .261, 594 runs, 49 HR, 197 SB
• First Half: 32-32 (.500), 2nd (Tie), 5.5 behind
• Second Half: 34-34 (.500), 4th, 3.0 behind
• After August 1: 14-13 (.519)

• Best Starting Pitcher: Phillip Norton (3.22, 9-3, 109 IP, 114 Ks)
• Bullpen Stopper: Trevor Schaffer (2.47, 2-3, 21 saves, 47 IP, 46 Ks)
• Best Strikeout Pitcher: Scott Downs (43 Ks in 36 innings)
• Best Control Pitcher: Scott Downs (43 Ks, 8 BB in 36 innings)
• Best Hitter: Chad Meyers (.301, 89 runs, 28 doubles, 58 RBI, 54 steals)
• Highest BA: Dennis Abreu (.321)
• Home Run Leader: Derrick Bly (8)
• Best Baserunner: Chad Meyers (54 steals)

July Evaluation

Essentially, the Cubbies make up for their mediocre pitching and non-existent power by running wild on the basepaths. These guys won't pound your pitcher down, but they may nick him to death. Shortstop Dennis Abreu (he had one brother on this squad, another was an Astro) is having an excellent season but his double play partner, Chad Meyers, is probably having a better one. Julio Zuleta, at first base, and Derrick Bly, at third, supply what little power is available here. Relievers Trevor Schaffer and Lendon Hart seem to be the best pitchers, now that Phil Norton's moved up; Jon Cannon and Jose Espinal are decent starters but not better than that.

June Evaluation

The Cubbies are a roughly-average team on offense and on the mound; they're having a roughly average year. They've got a good-hitting infield; first baseman Julio Zuleta and third baseman Derrick Bly are solid, but not overwhelming hitters; shortstop Dennis Abreu is a star, but lacks power, while second baseman Chad Meyers is always a threat to steal. Lefty starter Phillip Norton continues with his impressive year; few of the pitchers on this squad are embarrassing themselves.

May Evaluation

Well, they've improved; this team's now pretty average. The pitchers need to cut down on walks, and the baserunners are a little reckless. Dennis Abreu and Chad Meyers are both leadoff-man types, and about as good as this league finds, while southpaw Phillip Norton is spinning a very good season.

April Evaluation

The Cubbies have no power, no speed, can't get on base, and the pitching is pretty poor. (Kind of like the big team.) Shortstop Dennis Abreu hits quite well, though, and second baseman Chad Meyers puts on a basepath show.

Actually, there's lots of reason to think these guys will improve. This is a young team; they played well last summer in short-season. Keep your eyes on them.

Where they played last season

This rather young club was built mainly with pieces of the Chi-Cubs' farms in Williamsport and the Gulf Coast League, both of which finished in mid-pack but with very good records.

Team           League         W/L   Place(Teams)  Hitters Pitchers
Daytona        Florida State  71-66     6(14)       1       0
Rockford       Midwest        70-65     5(14)       3       1
Williamsport   New York-Penn  43-32     5(14)       8       5
Cubs           Gulf Coast     34-26     6(16)       5       5

Some of these players played for two teams last summer, and are counted for both squads. One member seems to not to have played baseball professionally last year.

• Oldest Player:
  • Bob Lisanti (C), born 5-28-73 (24)
• Youngest Player:
  • Dennis Abreu (SS), born 4-22-78 (19)
• Average Team Age:
  This information is based on early-season rosters.
  • Pitchers: 21.5
  • Position Players: 21.2
  • Team Average: 21.4

• First Round Draftee:
  • none

• Baseball America Cubs Prospects (Post-Season)
  • Chris Gissell (#5)
  • Jason Smith (#6, best infield arm)
  • Dennis Abreu (#8, best hitter for average)
  • Chad Meyers (#10, fastest baserunner)
  • Phillip Norton (#11)
• Baseball America Organization Wrapups
  • Dennis Abreu (Best player in the system)
  • Phil Norton (Keep an eye on)
• USA Today Baseball Weekly Minor League All-Star Team
  • Dennis Abreu (shortstop "worth watching")
• Howe SportsData Post Season Wrapup
  • Dennis Abreu (shortstop honorable mention, All Teenager Team)
• 1997 Midwest League All Star
  • Phillip Norton (left handed starting pitcher)
• Baseball America Mid-Season Highlights
  • Dennis Abreu (best Cubs farmhand)
• All-Star Game, June 17, Lansing
  • Dennis Abreu (SS)
  • Chad Meyers (2B starter)
  • Phillip Norton (P)

• Dennis Abreu
  • May 1: 4 for 5, 3 steals
  • August 2: 5 for 5
• Nelson Abreu
  • June 6: 5 runs batted in
• Derrick Bly
  • June 23: 4 for 4
• Jon Cannon
  • May 29: complete game
  • June 14: 7.0 shutout innings, 2 hits
• Quincy Carter
  • June 27: homer, triple, 4 RBIs
  • August 2: 4 for 5, 4 runs scored, 3 doubles
• Jose Colon
  • July 23: 5 RBI
• Randy Crane
  • August 12: 7 shutout innings, 2 hits
• Scott Downs
  • August 6: 7 shutout innings, 3 hits
  • August 11: 8 shutout innings, 11 strikeouts
• Jose Espinal
  • April 26: 11 strikeouts
  • May 14: 7 shutout innings, 3 hits, 12 strikeouts
• Chris Gissell
  • May 18: 5 hit shutout
  • August 13: 7.2 shutout innings
• Doug Hall
  • May 18: 4 for 4
• Brad King
  • August 26: homer, double
• Javier Martinez
  • July 15: complete game (lost decision)
• Chad Meyers
  • April 25: 4 runs scored
  • May 8: double, triple
  • May 10: triple, home run
  • May 21: two doubles
  • August 21: 4 runs scored, 3 steals
• Phillip Norton
  • May 9: complete game, 11 strikeouts (4 Ks in the 2nd inning)
  • May 26: 7 inning complete game
  • May 31: complete game, 5 hits, 11 strikeouts
  • June 8: 6.0 shutout innings
  • July 6: 7.0 shutout innings
• Dorian Speed
  • July 27: 4 for 5
• Ron Walker
  • August 25: 5 runs batted in
• Julio Zuleta
  • April 10: triple, double
  • April 23: double, triple
  • May 10: 4 for 4, 3 doubles
  • May 16: triple, home run
  • June 8: 4 for 5