Minor League Wrap--May 19

by Josh Timmers on May 19, 2008 11:15 PM CDT

Heee's baaaaack! What famous Cub minor leaguer has returned to the organization?

Iowa Cubs

Kevin Hart started and got the win while lasting the minimum five innings. Hart allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks. More impressively, however, Hart struck out six. He was pulled from the game after 82 pitches.

With Jose Ascanio deservedly getting the call, Neal Cotts took over the closer role in Iowa and pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out two Royals along the way. One member of the bullpen called up, one to go, Neal.

Jason Dubois is the new prodigal son, as he was signed and installed at first base today. Dubois went 1 for 4 and made two errors.

Right fielder Andres Torres was 2 for 5 with a triple and a home run. Torres had 3 RBI and scored twice. Matt Murton was 2 for 3 with a home run, a walk and a caught stealing. Second baseman Luis Figueroa was 2 for 4.

Felix Pie went 0 for 4 again, but had an RBI groundout.

Tennessee Smokies

A nine-run inning doomed the Smokies as they lost to the Montgomery Biscuits, 11-5.

Mitch Atkins started and saw his record fall to 2-5. Atkins pitched 4.2 innings and gave up six runs on eight hits and two walks. Atkins struck out three. Reliever Matt Avery had it even worse as he allowed five runs in an inning and a third.

Left fielder Jake Fox went 2 for 4 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored. Catcher Chris Robinson went 2 for 4.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to come from behind and beat the Clearwater Threshers, 4-3.

Adam Harben started and had trouble finding the plate. He lasted only 3.2 innings and allowed three runs on three hits and six walks. Harben struck out three.

But the bullpen bailed Harben out. Jason Ruhlman tossed 2.1 innings without allowing a run, although the 3 hits and 3 walks he gave up shows he wasn't all that effective. But Marcos Mateo got the win in relief with two shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. Dumas Garcia got his fifth save of the season with a perfect ninth.

First baseman Blake Lalli had a 3 for 4 night with two doubles and four RBI. Left fielder Ty Wright was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs got cleaned out by the Quad City River Bandits, 6-0.

Starter Alberto Cabrera got rocked for five runs in five innings to see his record fall to 1-6.

That's about all I want to say about that game. The whole team stunk.

The Chiefs have now lost seven games in a row and their record has fallen to 14-30. Other than the St. Lucie Mets and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, they're probably the worst team in the minor leagues right now. Thank God for split seasons.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Peoria is bad

what is the reason for it? Sandberg having rough year? Players just not good.

by Madison Cub Fan on May 19, 2008 11:39 PM CDT reply actions

I don't know

if it’s Sandberg’s fault or not. Usually it isn’t the manager’s fault in the minors—the players just stink.

Several players, such as Josh Donaldson, Marquez Smith and Kyler Burke have performed well below expectations—Burke even got returned to EXST. Peoria got saddled with two players who were already disappointments before the season, Drew Rundle and Dylan Johnston. Rundle’s back in EXST and Johsnton got off to a terrible start, although he’s been improving lately.

The Chiefs were never expected to score a ton of runs though. But the Chiefs also lost their two best pitchers-Robert Hernandez and Dae-Eun Rhee. Hernandez got suspended for 50 games for steroids-he’s coming back May 28. Rhee, according to the Peoria Journal-Star, is at least three weeks away and may not come back until the first half ends. Right now they’ve got organization fodder for the starting rotation, except for Ryan Acosta.

But the good news is split-seasons. If Hernandez and Rhee come back, they could be joined by Mark Pawelek (yes, he’s still alive) and with Ryan Acosta and have a pretty good starting rotation. Luis Bautista could provide some sock at the plate and might give Josh Donaldson a break from behind the plate, and maybe he can work more on his hitting, because he’s a better hitter than this. Jeffrey Rea just joined the team from EXST and he was pretty good last season.

So right now I think the team just stinks. If they’re still bad in July, then we need to re-evaluate everything down there.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh Timmers on May 20, 2008 12:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Thank you, Josh!

Before I saw your post, I was checking out the Iowa Cubs box score, saw Dubois there, and was launched into a frenzy of web searches, trying to figure out if it was a mirage or if he somehow returned to the Cubs without me knowing it. My searches were in vain until I decided to search for his name in the fan posts on BCB . . . and, lo and behold, your story brought an end to my frenetic confusion.

THANK YOU!!

by dfrancon on May 20, 2008 12:51 AM CDT reply actions

Jason Dubois.

Good heavens, WHY? He’s 29. He was hitting .221/.322/.416 for Columbus in the IL (Washington Nationals AAA team), with 21 strikeouts in 77 AB.

I guess this is the definition of “Triple-A Roster Filler”.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 20, 2008 4:14 AM CDT reply actions

Hoffpauer up

so there was an opening. Very likely he’ll be gone when Ward returns and Hoffpauer returns to AAA.

by rlpete on May 20, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Probably so.

They couldn’t have promoted someone from AA?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 20, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Sure, they could have.

Jake Fox comes to mind. But then you likely have to call someone up to replace Fox, and then you start the whole chain. The Cubs probably decided to just find a roster filler for two weeks rather than reshuffle every first baseman in the organization depth chart. They saw Dubois was available and, unlike us, don’t really care about the emotional issues involved.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 20, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

When did Fox get demoted to AA?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 20, 2008 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

A couple of weeks ago...

He’s played 12 games in AA now.

by SouthernCub on May 20, 2008 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it was when Murton got sent back down.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 20, 2008 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions

No

It was when Hoffpauir got activated on May 7.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh Timmers on May 20, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Murton starting to hit for more power...

After the crazy start with no extra base hits but a near-.500 OBP, Murton has gone 14/36 with 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, and a .389/.450/.639 line.

The guy is clearly not going to get substantial time with two superior players in front of him in Soriano and Fukudome. But the Cubs should probably make a trade involving him and get something we can use.

by SouthernCub on May 20, 2008 10:16 AM CDT reply actions