Minor League Wrap--August 27

by Josh77 on Aug 28, 2008 2:34 AM CDT

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs lost another meaningless game to the Memphis Redbirds, 6-4.

Jason Stanford started and pitched well with the exception of one two-run home run. Stanford pitched five innings and allowed only those two runs on three hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.

Hector Carrasco took the loss in relief. He gave up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Micah Hoffpauir hit his 24th home run in a 2 for 3 night. Hoffpauir walked once, scored twice and batted three home.

Felix Pie was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Andres Torres went 2 for 4 and also scored a run.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies sat out a long rain-delay and then lost the first game of a scheduled double-header with the Chattanooga Lookouts, 5-4 in eight innings. The scheduled second game was cancelled.

Donnie Veal started this game and pitched the first two innings until the rains came. Veal allowed two runs on two solo home runs and four hits total. The good news on Veal was that he struck out four and didn't walk a batter.

Then came a four hour and thirty-six minute rain delay. When the teams resumed, Mark Holliman pitched the next two innings and gave up a run on another solo home run. Holliman allowed two hits total, walked two and struck out two.

Greg Reinhard would eventually get the loss at some time around 1 AM local time. Reinhard pitched two innings and allowed an unearned run on two hits. He struck out two Lookouts and didn't issue a walk.

First baseman Jake Fox hit his 25th home run for the Smokies in the third inning. Fox was 2 for 4 on this long night.

Daytona Cubs

Finally some good news for Daytona as they swept a double-header from the Vero Beach Devil Rays, 5-3 and 4-1.

In the first game, Jay Jackson got the win by allowing two runs over five innings. Jackson gave up seven hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out two. Blake Parker got his ninth save with a scoreless seventh inning. Parker walked one and struck out one.

Catcher Steve Clevenger was 3 for 3 in the first game with a double and three RBI. Shortstop Darwin Barney went 2 for 2 with a triple and an RBI. Barney also walked once.

In the second game, Dustin Sasser got the start and allowed one run over three innings. Sasser gave up three hits, including a solo home run, and didn't walk a batter while striking out four.

Jordan Latham got the win with three shutout innings of relief. Latham allowed only one lousy single and a walk. He struck out two. Brian Schlitter picked up his eight save in the FSL and second save for Daytona. Schlitter pitched the seventh inning and allowed one hit. Schlitter has yet to allow a run in the Cubs organization.

Right fielder Ryan Harvey hit his tenth home run in the second game. It was a solo home run in the fifth inning. Harvey was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Left fielder Ty Wright went 3 for 4 with two RBI in the second game.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs lost to the Clinton Lumber Kings, 2-1.

Kevin Kreier allowed one run on six hits over six innings. The run scored on a solo homer. Kreier didn't walk a batter and struck out four.

Craig Muschko got the loss. He allowed one unearned run over two innings pitched.

Third baseman Jovan Rosa was 3 for 4 with two doubles. Rosa now leads the Midwest League with 43 doubles on the season. Shortstop Nate Samson was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks beat the Yakima Bears, 8-6.

Aaron Shafer gave up four runs on six hits over five innings. Shafer walked two and struck out two. Dan McDaniel blew the save but got the win in relief. McDaniel pitched 1.1 innings and allowed two inherited runners to score.

Right fielder Kyler Burke was 3 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. Left fielder Drew Rundle was 2 for 3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and an RBI. Oh, and he stole a base too.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the AZL Rangers, 9-1.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Does Fox come up too?

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 28, 2008 4:05 AM CDT 0 recs

Doubt it

I’m betting he goes to Iowa to replace Hoffpauir for the PCL playoffs, though.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 28, 2008 4:21 AM CDT up 0 recs

Has anybody seen

how Eyre is doing since joining the Phillies?

Clever signature line

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Aug 28, 2008 5:29 AM CDT 0 recs

I posted last night

8 and 1/3 no runs, 3 hits, not bad I’d say. I don’t what he freaking did to Lou, maybe stole his pasta one night.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Aug 28, 2008 6:13 AM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks

sorry I missed the post last night

Clever signature line

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Aug 28, 2008 6:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

Eyre stands as one more example that Lou

is not about performance=play. Howry is one of Lou’s boys and Eyre isn’t.

Eyre’s due for an ER – I’ll put a marker down on Mark DeRosa giving him one.

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Aug 28, 2008 9:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

VItters

0 for his last 12. Still hitting .329, and I looked hitting .362 against lefties.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Aug 28, 2008 6:14 AM CDT 0 recs

Two Hoffpauirs in one game. Gotta be a record!

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 28, 2008 8:21 AM CDT 0 recs

Are they brothers?

They’re not from the same place.

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

by Al on Aug 28, 2008 8:32 AM CDT up 0 recs

As if this Hoffpauir thing couldn't get any weirder...

…he’s got a doppleganger in Memphis!

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 28, 2008 9:47 AM CDT up 0 recs

Jarrett Has Brother, Josh

The AAA Redbirds’ Jarrett Hoffpauir has a brother, Josh, who was in Oakland’s farm system. Josh later became a grad assistant baseball coach at Southern Miss. Jarrett and Micah aren’t related.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 28, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wow, that's weird.

I wouldn’t think a name like “Hoffpauir” would be all that common.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 28, 2008 1:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's a Pauirful connection you just made

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Aug 28, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Incorrect

Jarrett and Micah are brothers. A quick Google search gives evidence.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by zambranofan on Aug 28, 2008 9:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Whoops! Correct. Sorry, Memphis

I could have sworn I looked it up once and found the link.

But the definitive statement, in Micah’s own words, can be found here

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by zambranofan on Aug 28, 2008 9:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

any word on how bad scales and ascandio (i think) injuries are?

by cubswynn on Aug 28, 2008 8:55 AM CDT 0 recs

Ascanio pitched last night

and pitched well—1 IP, 1 H, 0BB and 2K. If he’s hurt, I didn’t hear about it. If you mean someone else, I didn’t hear about it.

Bobby Scales has an ankle injury and is considered day-to-day.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 28, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

Fun little article

about what the best team of all over-30 AAAers would look like. Three I-Cubs make the list and get praised, after a fashion. After reading it, it’s time to start the Free Bobby Scales! run.

by DGU on Aug 28, 2008 9:30 AM CDT 0 recs

That was a nice article

Goldstein says, after listing his third I-Cub, that that is why they have the best record in the PCL. (I’m not sure they still do, btw.)

As far as Scales goes, you really have to feel sorry for him and wonder why he’s never had the chance to play in the majors. He was certainly better than a lot of guys who sit on major league benches because they’re “established veterans.” In 2005, for example, he was playing well in the PCL while Damien Jackson is filling in for an injured Mark Loretta in San Diego.

But now he’s 30 years old and next season he’s going to be a year older. As Goldstein says, the Cubs are the wrong organization to be in if you’re a second baseman looking for a shot. I do hope next season someone signs him and puts him on their bench, because he deserves it.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 28, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

Poor Jake Fox...

He hits 31 homers over 478 at bats this season and it’s like he doesn’t even exist. If only he could play an okay outfield.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Aug 28, 2008 9:41 AM CDT 0 recs

Another Crash Davis in the making?

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 28, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

I like Jake

but his 31 strikeouts and 2 walks at Iowa probably didn’t help. Though I think if he can continue to improve his versatility, he’ll have a shot somewhere.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Aug 28, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ouch.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 28, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

yeah, that's not too good.

but he’s got it to 69 k’s and 44 bb’s in Tennessee. He’s always going to strike out, but if he can maintain a good OBP, he’ll be fine.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Aug 28, 2008 11:16 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, it's the lack of walks that really hurts.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 28, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

In Tennessee

his OBP-SLG-OPS is: 401-.595-.996, while in Iowa it was: .242-.479-.720, so they’re definitely helping.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Aug 28, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up 0 recs

Too bad he can't take a walk...

I wouldn’t mind if he were someone like Jack Cust of the A’s, who either walks, strikes out or hits a homerun. Cust this year: 23hr, 90bb, 164 K’s! Fox this year at AA hit 25hr, 44bb and 69k’s like you said. Cust is a below average left fielder, much like Adam Dunn is, but makes up for it with his slugging.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Aug 28, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pie...

Looks like he’s been hitting well these past couple of weeks. He should be a valuable addition in September.

"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."

by CubsBullsBears on Aug 28, 2008 9:43 AM CDT 0 recs

BlueMike retort in 5 and 4 and 3 and...

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 28, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up 0 recs

From the Trib:

Rosters expand Monday, and general manager Jim Hendry said he expects six to seven minor-league call-ups, though some will arrive later because Triple-A Iowa will be in the postseason.

Among those expected to be called up are pitchers Angel Guzman, Kevin Hart and Michael Wuertz, first baseman Micah Hoffpauir, catcher Koyie Hill and center fielder Felix Pie.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 28, 2008 10:12 AM CDT 0 recs

And if Lieber is healthy

He would added as well.

by rlpete on Aug 28, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

I heard on the 8/27 Cubscast that...

…Lieber will be making a rehab start in Peoria within the next day or so (I believe). I would guess he’d be up, too.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 28, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm still wondering if anyone has an answer

to what Hoffpauir adds over Dubois given our current roster.

by DGU on Aug 28, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well...

Hoffpauir is a left-handed bat who can play left and first and hit for power, and has shown flashes of this at the major league level.

Dubois has had a chance to show a consistent, right-handed bat at the major league level and never succeeded.

Plus, Hoffpauir is on the 40-man roster, which makes calling him up much easier than clearing roster space for Dubois.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Aug 28, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

You're making it harder than it is.

Hoffpauir is left-handed, on the 40 man and Lou likes him. That’s what you said, but in fewer words.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 28, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks, Josh.

I was trying to add in some supplemental evidence, but I think the Cliffs Notes version is well put.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Aug 28, 2008 12:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

But do we really need more LH bats on the bench

given the splits of Cedeno, Fontenot, Ward, etc. I think a RH-bat is more important, especially since we have no RH bats left on the bench when there’s a LH starter.

by DGU on Aug 28, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

Cedeno hits right handed

Koyie Hill is a switch hitter.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Aug 28, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's switch batter.

When you get above .275, you become a switch hitter.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 28, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Cedeno doesn't hit lefties.

Never has at the ML level.

by DGU on Aug 28, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

The point is to see if Hoffpauir can take Ward's spot on the bench next year.

He’s auditioning for a spot on the 2009 roster. Has nothing to do with the needs of the club right now – the 2008 Cubs don’t really have needs right now.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 28, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Do you really believe the Cubs think that's possible?

Do you really believe he’d be anything other than an automatic strikeout in a bench role?

by DGU on Aug 28, 2008 4:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't think he'll be a Pierresque contact machine.

Or an on-base machine like Darryle Ward. But he has some real pop in his bat – translated batting line of .292/.323/.599 is nothing to sneeze at. (BP’s translations page is solid awesome.) I’ll take a .299 EqA off the bench, thanks.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Aug 28, 2008 5:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, his translation is nice

but the question is whether or not Micah himself will actually translate as a bench player. Right now, you can throw all your pitches out of the zone and guarantee you won’t walk Micah. Will he adjust to that on the bench once pitchers have adjusted to him?

by DGU on Aug 28, 2008 5:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dubois isn't on the 40-man

If the Cubs want to call up a power-hitting right-handed batter who can play LF and 1B, they’ll call up Fox before Dubois, since Fox is on the 40-man.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Aug 28, 2008 2:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm counting

39 players on the 40 man right now, and that counts Angel Guzman, who will be taken off the 60 day DL on September 1. So actually, there is a spot on the 40 man if the Cubs decide they want to call up Dubois.

Even if I’m miscounting, Chad Fox could be moved to the 60 Day or released.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Aug 28, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm a little confused...

…about why the Cubs haven’t done something with Chad Fox already. He’s pitched exactly 3.3 innings for the team this year. Are they really expecting to get anything more from him?

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 28, 2008 2:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Playoff roster flexibility...

If I’m not mistaken, your playoff roster can be composed of anyone on the 25-man roster as of Aug 31. However, if you have guys on the DL, you can use those spots to make changes. So having Lieber, Guzman, and Chad Fox on the DL gives the Cubs three flexible roster spots for the playoffs. If they took Fox off the DL, they’d have only two flexible spots. And if they called Lieber and Guzman off the DL and put them on either roster, then the Cubs would have to go with whomever they had on the 25-man roster (barring further injury, I guess).

So keeping Fox around on the DL allows the Cubs to keep their current active roster intact but allows them to maintain flexibility to make changes (like bringing Pie up for speed/defense or Hoffpauir up for another “big LH bat” in place of the 12th pitcher) later.

by SouthernCub on Aug 28, 2008 2:40 PM CDT up 1 recs