MWL1 South Bend Cubs

South Bend Cubs on the Rise

Published on April 25, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Cubs News Release


From Boise, Daytona, Kane County, South Bend, Myrtle Beach, Tennessee, and Iowa, David Bote has been around the block in the Chicago Cubs organization. But in February of 2018, he took the biggest step in his young career.

After originally being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 18th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Neosho Community College, Bote has spent the last seven years in the Cubs minor league system. All the waiting, all the bus rides, and all the extra work finally paid off for the former South Bend Cub as he was named to the Cubs 40-man roster for the first time. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, he said that this is an important accomplishment in his career.

"It's a good first step," said Bote, 24, who batted .272 with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs for Double-A Tennessee in 2017. "My final goal is to get to the big leagues and stay in the big leagues. So, whatever gets me toward that goal, and take it one step at a time."

Bote spent part of a busy 2015 season with South Bend. He also made stops in Myrtle Beach, Tennessee, and Iowa that season. The majority of it, however, came at Four Winds Field. In 98 games played with South Bend, Bote hit .251 with six home runs and 41 RBI. Bote quickly earned the call-ups after he showed Cubs management that he could hit for contact and power. Now, he is using that skill to his advantage to impress Cubs Manager Joe Maddon. After making the Spring Training 40-man roster, Bote's journey to the big leagues may be within reach.

South Bend Cubs Manager Jimmy Gonzalez coached Bote during his time in South Bend in 2015. He says that the Cubs prospect is putting himself in a position for long-term success.

"He's come a long way, especially physically," Gonzalez said. "I had him here in South Bend and rookie level. He's a grinder and a hard worker. When guys like him gets to the level that he is at, his confidence shoots through the roof."

Bote looks to join outfielder Ian Happ and right-handed pitcher Dillon Maples as the third former South Bend Cub to make his MLB debut.

Happ was a key piece of the Chicago Cubs run to the National League Championship Series during the 2017 campaign. In his rookie year, he finished in the top 10 of Rookie-of-the-Year voting after playing in 115 games and hitting 24 home runs with 68 RBI. He was drafted by the Cubs in 2015 out of the University of Cincinnati. He spent part of the 2015 season in South Bend and played in 38 games. Gonzalez said that he knew Happ would have success from the moment he first watched him.

"When I first met Ian, he showed that he just wanted to work," Gonzalez said. "He's a quiet guy, but he showed his work ethic. You see the things he does now and it's no surprise based on the work he does on a daily basis."

All things considered, Happ figures to be an important figure in the Cubs lineup this season as they prepare themselves for their goal of another World Series run.

Since being drafted out of high school by the Chicago Cubs in the 14th round of the 2011 MLB Draft, Maples has waited his turn to emerge on the scene with the club. He has been with numerous affiliates just like Bote has. Boise, Kane County, Eugene, Myrtle Beach, South Bend, Tennessee, and Iowa have all housed Maples during his career.

The right hander spent part of two seasons in South Bend primarily as a reliever. In 2015, Maples made 15 appearances and finished with a 1-1 record and a 4.15 ERA. In 2016, he lowered the ERA to 3.24 in 19 games while only allowing 10 runs in 25 innings. He also struck out 17 batters to bring his South Bend career total to 36. Gonzalez said that Maples' time in the minors helped him attain his full potential.

"I think his biggest thing for him to learn was the command of his fastball, Gonzalez said. "It was a matter of being more consistent with the power fastball in the high 90s and the killer breaking ball."

Maples debuted with the Cubs in 2017 and appeared in six games while totaling 5.1 innings. Maples picked up 11 strikeouts during his short time in the big leagues. Like Happ, he is projected to become a key part of the Chicago Cubs roster. It is unclear of whether the Cubs will prefer him as a starter or reliever, but his pitching repertoire shows signs that he can hang in the majors for a long period of time.

Former South Bend Cubs continue to impress as they rise through the Chicago Cubs minor league system. With Bote making the Spring Training 40-man roster after years of improvement, there is no telling how many more former South Bend players can play at Wrigley Field in the future.

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Midwest League Stories from April 25, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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