Minor League recap: 6/18/13
Dave Sappelt keeps rolling at Triple-A Iowa. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Iowa held its opponents scoreless, Daytona had a huge offensive output and a few Kane County players performed well in the Midwest League All-Star Game Tuesday. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action.
Iowa Cubs (34-37)
Iowa recorded its second consecutive shutout, blanking visiting Nashville 7-0. The I-Cubs have not allowed a run in the last 23 innings.
- RHP Nick Struck earned the win, going 6.2 innings, surrendering three hits and striking out three.
- RF Dave Sappelt (.261) hit safely for the seventh time in eight games, going 3-for-5 with a double (8), a run scored, three RBI (25) and a stolen base (2).
- 2B Logan Watkins (.238) went 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base (6).
- CF Brian Bogusevic (.319) went 2-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI (30).
- C Steve Clevenger (.364) went 1-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI (11) in the 12th game of his rehabilitation assignment. He has scored 12 runs in 12 games at Iowa.
Daytona Cubs (34-31)
Daytona reached base 23 times and blasted two grand slams in a 14-8 victory over host Clearwater. The D-Cubs collected 17 hits, five extra-base hits and walked six times.
- 2B Tim Saunders (.225) went 3-for-5 with a double (5), a grand slam, two runs scored and four RBI (19). He has five multihit games in his last nine contests.
- RF John Andreoli (.325) extended his hitting streak to four games (.471/8-for-17), going 3-for-4 with two walks, two runs scored and two RBI (24).
- 1B Dustin Geiger (.294) went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI. He leads the Florida State League with 56 RBI.
- CF Zeke DeVoss (.231) went 2-for-6 with a triple (4), two runs scored and an RBI (28).
Kane County (30-36)
Kane County had the day off for the Midwest League All-Star Game in Dayton, Ohio. Six Cougars were named to the Western Division All-Star team: INF Dan Vogelbach, INF Rock Shoulders, OF Bijan Rademacher, RHP Tayler Scott, RHP Felix Pena and LHP Nathan Dorris.
- DH Dan Vogelbach went 2-for-2 with a walk, a double, a run scored and an RBI.
- RHP Tayler Scott (0.2 IP, K) and LHP Nathan Dorris (0.1 IP) each recorded scoreless appearances.
- The East All-Stars won 6-5 over the West All-Stars.
Boise Hawks (2-3)
Boise lost their second in a row to visiting Salem-Keizer, falling 9-2.
- LF Shawon Dunston (.471) went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. He has hit safely in four straight games to start the season.
- DH Jose Dore (.400) reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with two walks and a double (1).
- LHP Matt Iannazzo (2.0 IP, H, R, BB, 2 K) and RHP Carlos Martinez-Pumarino (IP, K) allowed zero earned runs in three innings of relief.
Cubs sign second-round pick Zastryzny
The Cubs have come to terms with left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny, the club’s second-round pick in the 2013 draft. The 41st overall selection reportedly signed a $1.1 million deal after going 2-9 with a 3.38 ERA in his junior season at the University of Missouri. This season, the 21-year-old southpaw fanned 82 batters over 90.2 innings and held opponents to a .266 batting average.
An Edmonton, Alberta native, Zastryzny had 228 career strikeouts as a Tiger, eighth-most in the school’s history.
He is the eighth player to sign with the Cubs from the 2013 draft class. The other prospects include right-handed pitcher Zachary Godley (10th round), catcher Cael Brockmeyer (16th round), shortstop Giuseppe Papaccio (18th round), second baseman Zak Blair (20th round), left fielder Kevin Brown (22nd round), left-handed pitcher Tyler Ihrig (23rd round) and right-handed pitcher Zak Hermans (30th round).
Minor League recap: 6/17/13
Jonathan Mota had a pair of hits Monday. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Iowa captured a shutout win, and Tennessee came away with a one-run victory Monday. Meanwhile, Daytona and Boise couldn’t get it going in losses, while Kane County had the day off for the All-Star break. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action.
Iowa Cubs (33-37)
Iowa blanked visiting Omaha 2-0 behind a complete game gem from LHP Chris Rusin. It marks Iowa’s first complete game shutout since Sergio Mitre accomplished the feat on August 13, 2004, against Albuquerque.
- LHP Chris Rusin fanned eight, allowed just five hits and walked one in a complete game victory Monday.
- 2B Logan Watkins (.234) went 1-for-4 with a double (11).
- SS Donnie Murphy (.256) went 1-for-3 with a fifth-inning solo homer.
- RF Brian Bogusevic (.314) went 1-for-3 with an eighth-inning solo homer.
Tennessee Smokies (34-35)
Tennessee finished the first half with a 2-1 victory over visiting Mississippi.
- 1B Jonathan Mota (.253) went 2-for-4.
- RF Anthony Giansanti (.270) was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
- C Chad Noble (.319) added two hits, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
- RHP Frank Batista (1.97) converted his ninth save, allowing one hit while fanning two in a scoreless ninth.
Daytona Cubs (33-31)
Daytona managed just four hits, dropping a 9-2 decision at Clearwater.
- 3B Ben Carhart (.274) went 2-for-4 with a double (17).
- 1B Dustin Geiger (.291) was 1-for-4 with a fourth-inning, two-run homer.
- Yesterday, the Florida State League named SS Javier Baez (0-for-3, BB, R, SB) Player of the Week for the week ending June 16. He went 4-for-13 with three walks, four home runs and seven RBI (all 6/10 vs. Fort Myers), and a 1.231 slugging percentage. He also recorded two doubles in the FSL All-Star Game Saturday. It marks Baez’ second FSL Player of the Week award.
Boise Hawks (2-2)
Boise was victimized by a four-run sixth inning, falling to visiting Salem-Keizer 8-6.
- 1B Jacob Rogers (.286) reached base three times, going 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored.
- RF Yasiel Balaguert (.333) went 2-for-4 with a double (2), a sacrifice fly and a team-high three RBI (7).
- 2B David Bote (.154) reached base twice, going 0-for-2 with two walks, a run scored and an RBI (2).
Minor League recap: 6/16/13
Junior Lake has played well in Triple-A this season. (Photo by Rodger Wood)
Iowa and Tennessee both fell Sunday while Kane County picked up a victory. Daytona was off as part of the All-Star break. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action:
Iowa Cubs (32-37)
Iowa mustered only five hits in a 3-1 loss to Omaha.
- 3B Junior Lake (.383) extended his hitting streak to nine games, going 1-for-4 with a stolen base (7). He’s hitting .395 (15-for-38) with 10 runs, four doubles and three RBI during the streak.
- 1B Edwin Maysonet (.260) went 1-for-3 with a home run, a run scored and an RBI (22).
- RHP Michael Bowden (2 K) threw two scoreless innings of relief.
Tennessee Smokies (33-35)
Tennessee allowed three runs in the eighth inning, falling 4-1 to visiting Mississippi.
- 3B Christian Villanueva (.261) recorded his second consecutive, multihit game, going 2-for-4.
- RF Rubi Silva (.273) went 3-for-4 with a double (15) and a run scored. He has two, three-hit games in his last three contests.
Kane County Cougars (30-36)
Kane County snapped a two-game skid, defeating visiting Wisconsin, 4-2.
- RHP Pierce Johnson allowed no earned runs, scattered four hits and struck out five over seven innings.
- 1B Rock Shoulders (.264) extended his hitting streak to five games (.350/7-for-20), going 2-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and an RBI (40).
- C Carlos Escobar (.255) went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI (6).
- LF Reggie Golden (.295) collected his fifth multihit showing in 12 games, going 2-for-3 with a triple (1), a home run, a run scored and two RBI (6).
Series 24 Preview: Cubs at Cardinals
Matt Carpenter has been a big contributor this year for the Cardinals. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Is there any organization more indestructible than the Cardinals? In recent years, they’ve managed to replace Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman and Rafael Furcal in the lineup without missing a beat. Plus, the pitching staff has weathered losing co-aces Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in consecutive years. But mounting injuries in the rotation could bring the Cards back to the NL Central pack this season. The man trying to hold the staff together is the rock the team has leaned on through all of the previous changes: catcher Yadier Molina, now in his ninth season as the Cardinals’ regular receiver. Yadi not only intimidates opposing running games out of existence (he sees less than one stolen base attempt every two games, and throws out more than 40 percent of runners), he’s also an irreplaceable staff manager and a critical offensive cog.
HITTING: 5.0 Runs Scored/Game (1st in the NL)
Though the Cardinals lack a single signature strength in the lineup, they more than make up for it with balance and depth. The team exploited that depth this season when they moved slugger Matt Carpenter to second base, and he’s shown a fine aptitude around the bag. They also have slugging rookie reserve Matt Adams cooling his heels on the bench. Moving Allen Craig from first to an outfield corner would create playing time, but with Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday manning those spots, there’s little room to cram everyone into the lineup. If there’s one thing the Cardinals lack, especially with Furcal out, it’s speed. They’re last in the league in steals and stolen base attempts, a far cry from the days of Whitey Herzog and Vince Coleman. Still, the Cards’ offense could be primed for a big second half once Holliday and third baseman David Freese start slugging the way they can.
PITCHING: 3.6 Runs Allowed/Game (3rd in the NL)
Few clubs can contend with a healthy Cardinals starting rotation. Wainwright has undergone a remarkable transformation since completing his recovery from 2011 Tommy John surgery. This year, he’s drastically cut his walk rate while pushing his strikeout rate to an eye-popping 24 percent. And right-hander Shelby Miller, building off a strong 2012 major league debut, is one of the leading candidates to snag Rookie of the Year honors. If there’s a concern beyond the injury to rotation regular Jaime Garcia, who is out for the year after having shoulder surgery, it’s the bullpen. After losing closer Jason Motte for the season, manager Mike Matheny sifted through multiple alternatives before settling on journeyman Edward Mujica to protect ninth-inning leads. Mujica lacks the pure velocity typically associated with a shutdown closer, but he uses his splitter to good effect. If he struggles, you can bet the Cardinals will be in the market for a closer at the deadline.
—Christina Kahrl
Cubs minor league recap: 6/13/13
Steve Clevenger has hit safely in seven of eight rehabilitation games with the I-Cubs. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Daytona and Kane County both captured wins with sizable leads Thursday while Iowa and Tennessee fell short in narrow setbacks. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action:
Iowa Cubs (30-36)
Iowa rallied from a 8-4 deficit in the eighth inning to tie the game, but fell in walk-off fashion at Oklahoma City, 9-8 in 12 innings.
- DF Dave Sappelt (.246) went 2-for-6 with a double (4), home run, two runs scored and four RBI (21).
- C Steve Clevenger (.333) went 2-for-5 with a double (5), run scored and RBI (5) in the eighth game of his rehabilitation assignment. He has hit safely in seven of eight games (10-for-30).
- SS Donnie Murphy (.262) extended his hitting streak to four games (.368/7-for-19), going 3-for-6 with two RBI (15).
Tennessee Smokies (32-33)
Tennessee lost for the seventh time in eight games, falling 3-2 vs. Mississippi.
- CF Rubi Silva (.262) went 2-for-4 with a double (13).
- PH-LF Matt Szczur (.289) and 3B Jonathan Mota (.228) collected RBI for the Smokies.
- Alberto Cabrera threw seven innings, tying his season-high.
Daytona Cubs (33-30)
Daytona collected 10 hits and five doubles in a 5-1 victory over visiting Fort Myers.
- 1B Dustin Geiger (.291) went 2-for-4 with a double (16) and run scored.
- 2B Tim Saunders (.216) collected his fourth multihit outing in his last seven games, going 2-for-3 with a double (4), run scored and stolen base (20).
- DH Chadd Krist went 1-for-4 with a two-run double.
Kane County Cougars (29-34)
Kane County snapped a three-game losing skid, defeating Burlington, 4-1.
- CF Albert Almora (.430) extended his hitting streak to 11 games (.426/20-for-47), going 3-for-4 with a double (8), triple (1), run scored and three RBI (11).
- RF Bijan Rademacher (.327) went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored. He has hit safely in seven straight games (.400/10-for-25).
- Tayler Scott allowed only two hits in a season-long 7.2 innings of work.
Cubs minor league recap: 6/12/13
Brian Bogusevic recorded two homers Wednesday with Iowa. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Iowa captured its fourth win in the last five outings while Daytona fell in both games of a doubleheader Wednesday. Tennessee had the day off and Kane County was rained out. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action:
Iowa Cubs (30-35)
Iowa won for the fourth time in five games, defeating host Oklahoma City, 5-1.
- RF Brian Bogusevic (.324) recorded his first two-homer game of the season, going 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored, a season-high four RBI (28) and a stolen base (15).
- 3B Junior Lake (.433) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base (4), extending his hitting streak to five games (.476/10-for-21).
- Chris Rusin posted his longest scoreless appearance of the season.
Daytona Cubs (32-30)
Game 1: Daytona allowed five runs in the fourth inning, falling 6-3 to Fort Myers in the first game of a doubleheader.
- RF Jorge Soler (.282) went 2-for-4 with a double (13) and a run scored.
- C Chadd Krist (.269) went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run, a run scored and a RBI (13).
Game 2: Daytona scored four runs in the final three frames, but could not complete the comeback, losing 5-4 in the nightcap.
- LF John Andreoli (.319) went 3-for-5 with two doubles (8), a run scored and a RBI (21).
- DH Zeke DeVoss (.231) went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run, a run scored and two RBI (27).
- 2B Wes Darvill (.242) walked a season-high three times in four plate appearances and scored a run.
- Yesterday, the Florida State League added LHP Frank Del Valle to the All-Star team. INF Javier Baez and INF Dustin Geiger were selected to participate in the Home Run Derby.
Cubs minor league recap: 6/11/13
Smokies pitcher Kyle Hendricks was named the Southern League’s pitcher of the week. (Photo by Matthew Shalbrack/Tennessee Smokies)
Iowa, Tennessee and Kane County all tallied a loss Tuesday while Daytona rescheduled its game against Fort Myers for a doubleheader tonight. Here are some highlights from yesterday’s action:
Iowa Cubs (29-35)
Iowa allowed three unearned runs in an 8-5 loss at Oklahoma City, snapping a four-game winning streak.
- CF Brett Jackson (.236) extended his hitting streak to three games (.333/4-for-12), going 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run.
- 3B Ian Stewart (.168) went 1-for-3 with a walk, a homer and two runs scored.
- C Steve Clevenger (.320) went 1-for-5 with a run scored in the seventh game of a rehabilitation assignment. He has hit safely in six of seven games.
Tennessee Smokies (32-32)
Tennessee lost for the sixth time in seven games, falling 3-2 at Mobile.
- CF Matt Szczur (.288) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI (27). He is hitting .325 (13-for-40) with six runs and four RBI in 11 June contests.
- 1B Jonathan Mota (.234) extended his hitting streak to seven games (.423/11-for-26), going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
- RHP Tony Zych (1.1 IP, H, 2 K) recorded his sixth consecutive scoreless relief appearance (8 IP).
- On Monday, RHP Kyle Hendricks was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 3-9. He went 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA (1 ER/13.0 IP) in two starts during the span, allowing 11 hits while striking out 13.
Kane County Cougars (28-34)
Kane County collected 13 hits, but fell to visiting Burlington 7-6. Every starter for the Cougars recorded a base hit.
- 3B Jeimer Candelario (.278) went 3-for-5 with two doubles (20), a run scored and a RBI (23). He is hitting .429 (18-for-42) with two homers and six RBI in 10 June contests.
- C Willson Contreras (.241) homered for the first time since May 14, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI (24).
- SS Marco Hernandez (.263) extended his hitting streak to seven games (.360/9-for-25), going 2-for-4. He has 12 multi-hit affairs this season.
- RHP Shawn Camp (IP, H) recorded a scoreless inning of relief in his first rehab outing with Kane County.
Cubs minor league recap: 6/10/13
Smokies RHP Trey McNutt is holding right-handed hitters to a .220 average. (Photo by Stephen Green)
Iowa captured a four-game win streak and Javier Baez’s home run blasts led Daytona to victory, while Tennessee lost in walk-off fashion and Kane County fell after an early setback. Here are some highlights from Monday’s action:
Iowa Cubs (29-34)
Iowa won its fourth straight game, defeating host Oklahoma City 7-6.
- DH Brad Nelson (.282) recorded his second straight, multi-homer game, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two home runs and two RBI (41). All 12 of his homers have come against right-handed pitchers (.338/50-for-148).
- 2B Logan Watkins (.242) went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI (18).
- 3B Junior Lake (.435) went 1-for-5 with two runs scored, a double (5) and one stolen base (3). He’s hit safely in five of his first six games with Iowa.
- RHP Brian Schlitter (2.25) converted his second save despite allowing a run in the ninth inning.
Tennessee Smokies (32-31)
Tennessee fell in walk-off fashion for the second time in three games, dropping a 4-3 decision at Mobile.
- 2B Arismendy Alcantara (.290) recorded his 17th multi-hit game of the campaign, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
- C Rafael Lopez (.271) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a season-high two doubles (14). He’s hit safely in five of his last six contests.
- RHP Trey McNutt (4.44) struck out two while tossing 1.2 scoreless innings of relief. He’s holding right-handed hitters to a .220 batting average (13-for-59) with 14 strikeouts.
Daytona Cubs (32-28)
Javier Baez became the second player in the 94-year history of the Florida State League to hit four home runs in one game, as the Cubs defeated visiting Fort Meyers 9-6.
- Baez (.291) finished 4-for-4 with four runs scored, the four home runs and a career-high seven RBI (44).
- 2B Tim Saunders (.210) extended his hitting streak to five games, going 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
- LF John Andreoli (.316) went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and one RBI (20). He’s hitting .352 (56-for-159) with 19 RBI against right-handed pitchers.
- LHP Frank Del Valle (2.70) recorded the final two outs, converting his fourth save of the season.
Kane County Cougars (28-33)
Cedar Rapids used a four-run, fifth inning to race past Kane County 6-2.
- 1B Rock Shoulders (.260) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a double (12).
- LF Oliver Zapata (.270) recorded his third multi-hit game in his last four contests, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
- LHP Lendy Castillo (7.05) struck out four while allowing a run on three hits in 3.1 innings of relief.
1000 Words: Baez belts four homers
(Photos by Aldrin Capulong/Daytona Cubs)
Hard-hitting Javier Baez is widely considered one of the Cubs organization’s top minor league prospects, and the shortstop hasn’t failed to live up to the hype this season. Though he struggled to find his stroke early, Baez is now hitting .291/.339/.570 (AVG/OBP/SLG) and is in the top four in home runs and RBI in the High-A Florida State League. But nobody could have predicted the near-perfect night the 2012 first-round pick had on Monday, when he went 4-for-4 with four homers and seven RBI, propelling Daytona to a 9-6 win over visiting Fort Myers.
Baez hit a two-run homer in the first, led off the third with a solo shot to center, ripped another two-run home run to left in the fifth, and wrapped up his night with a solo shot to left in the seventh. He now has 13 bombs on the year to go along with 44 RBI.
