Despite the Chicago Cubs’ three-year streak of missing the playoffs, optimism for the team’s future is difficult to ignore.
Even though they were able to sign quality free agents, such Dansby Swanson, the most intriguing aspect of the team’s current state is their farm system.
The Cubs sold off assets to recoup prospects after realising they will not qualify for the postseason in 2021 or 2022.
With a Top-5 pipeline in baseball and some of their top minor league players on the point of being called up to the major league team, they are currently enjoying the fruits of their decisions.
However, there is still work to be done, and with Jared Banner’s promotion from vice president of player development to assistant general manager, a significant position had to be filled.
Enthusiastic hiring: Chicago appointed a hitting coach from the Houston Astros to the position of director of player development.
Although this doesn’t seem to transfer on paper, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, many in the league believe the Cubs struck gold when they signed Jason Kanzler.
He wouldn’t simply concentrate on the top prospects or big names coming up, according to feedback the Cubs received. He would focus on each player individually, wanting them to reach their full potential.
Kanzler has experience swiftly assuming new responsibilities and moving up the corporate ladder.
He coached high school when his playing career ended before joining the Cape Cod League. He began working with Houston in 2019 as a hitting coach for their High Single-A affiliate.
