Cubs Minor League Wrap -- June 1

by Josh Timmers on Jun 2, 2009 12:27 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

Smokies pitcher Jay Jackson today tweeted that he's got a small crack in his leg an they're telling him that he's going to miss two starts. He adds "there is no way in hell im missin 2!!!"

And guess what catcher thinks he's Jake Fox or Josh Vitters?

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs were grounded by the Memphis Redbirds, 6-2.

Mitch Atkins' annus horribilis continued tonight as he was rocked by the Redbirds for six runs on ten hits over only four innings. Two of the hits were home runs. Atkins didn't walk a batter and he struck out three.

There may have been some dispute over the second home run, as manager Bobby Dickinson was ejected immediately after it was hit.

James Russell made his Triple-A debut a successful one, as he threw three innings of scoreless relief. Russell scattered four hits, walked one and struck out one.

The I-Cubs were terrible in the clutch tonight as they had 16 batters reach base (13 hits and three walks) and yet only scored two runs. That all thirteen walks were singles didn't help matters any.

Center fielder Sam Fuld was 3 for 5. Right fielder John-Ford Griffin went 2 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI. Third baseman Nate Spears had two hits and a run in five at bats.

Second baseman David Macias had an RBI in a 2 for 4 night. First baseman Doug Deeds went 2 for 5.

Tennessee Smokies

Someone please stop the carnage in Kodak. Tonight the Smokies lost their ninth game in a row with a 9-2 boiling at the hands of the Carolina Mudcats.

Hung-Wen Chen got shellacked tonight. He only lasted three plus innings after surrendering eight runs on eleven hits, including one home run. He didn't walk anyone thankfully and struck out three.

One of the runs Chen allowed was unearned. Oh, OK, that makes it not so bad.

Left fielder Ty Wright was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Jonathan Mota hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the eighth inning. It was his first home run this season.

The Smokies committed five errors tonight. Outfielders James Adduci and Ty Wright each made one, as well as third baseman Marquez Smith. Shortstop Darwin Barney made two errors.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs have now taken three straight from the Sarasota Reds with a 4-0 victory tonight.

Starter Ryan Searle pitched to contact tonight as he scattered nine hits in 5.2 innings. He didn't walk anyone and fanned one to improve his record to 4-3.

Craig Muschko allowed only a walk over 2.1 innings of relief. Muschko also fanned one.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos hit two grand slams yesterday. For an encore tonight, he hit two more home runs, although his teammates didn't help him out any--they were a two-run and a solo blast. Chirinos now has seven home runs on the season. He was 2 for 4 overall with the three home runs.

Third baseman Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 4.

Peoria Chiefs

I know the "schedule" says it was an off day, but I happen to know that Josh Vitters went 3 for 4 with a home run off of losing pitcher Chuck Norris. Trust me on this one.

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TN suffering

TN has lost 9 straight, is this b/c of lack of talent? Does this say anything about Ryno’s ability to manage?

"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 2, 2009 12:32 AM CDT reply actions

The bullpen has imploded

and the rest of the team seems to be pressing. There were a few promotions to Iowa, too. Couldn’t tell you if Ryno is doing anything wrong, but I’ll be more impressed with him as a manager if he comes out of this with his sanity intact.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 2, 2009 1:34 AM CDT up reply actions

So is this something that can be a learning experience for someone as a manager

or is it more than his hands are tied, so it’s just frustrating.

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 2, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Hands Are Tied

The Smokies played 12 games in 8 days without an off day during this stretch. I don’t care how good of an athlete you are; you’d be dead tired and pressing if you had to go through a stretch like that. I think this team desperately needs an off day to get rested up.

Also, you really can’t blame the struggles of a minor league team on the manager. A lot of the time, players are given specific orders from the organization on what they are and are not allowed to do. You’ll often hear about pitchers being instructed not to throw their best breaking pitch, hitters being told to adjust their mechanics, etc. Moreover, there are much stricter pitch counts when it comes to pitching.

The role of a minor league manager is not to win games. His role is to ensure the players are developing properly and to follow orders. Whether or not Ryno has been carrying that out is something hard to ascertain simply from looking at box scores.

by Outshined_One on Jun 2, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info!

I haven’t ever followed minor league ball until Josh’s post were put on the front page. So there is lots and lots for me to learn. :)

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 2, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

Om everything you wrote.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 2, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Anybody have a scouting report on this Norris guy?

I hear he’s kinda like Ted Lilly, but without as much pop.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Jun 2, 2009 1:12 AM CDT reply actions

he was with the

texas rangers for awhile

by tim815 on Jun 2, 2009 7:09 AM CDT up reply actions

LOL!

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jun 2, 2009 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions

this post is far too full of win

by lswaidz on Jun 2, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions

"Annus horribilis"

Kudos for the British royal family reference.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 2, 2009 3:56 AM CDT reply actions

Robinson Chirinos is on fire...

He’s batting .355 right now, with 7 HRs and 24 RBIs.

Unfortunately, he turns 25 this week and is currently in his 9th season with Cubs farm system (they signed him when he was 16 years old). He’s been a utility infielder throughout his entire lackluster career, and is now playing catcher. In his 9 years, he’s never progressed beyond some brief stints in Tennessee.

Don’t know if the lights suddenly came on or what, but don’t get too excited about him.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jun 2, 2009 7:56 AM CDT reply actions

Yes

It’s a nice couple of days, but I’m not getting excited about him either.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 2, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm heading to the Chief's game tonight

Sitting front row, third base side… hopefully I’ll get to see a lot of Vitters. Bringing the camera, maybe I’ll get a good scouting report for everyone with some video.

by lswaidz on Jun 2, 2009 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

Awesome! Good luck...

Can’t wait to see what you got for us:)

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jun 2, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Chris Archer should be starting for Peoria

Enjoy.

by Raisin on Jun 2, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Scouting on Archer!

We want to know all about Chris Archer—how’s his secondary pitches, how’s his control.

Of course, if you could tell us how Josh Vitters is destroying the MWL, that will be appreciated too.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 2, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll certainly do my best

There’s a 50-60% chance of rain tonight, so hopefully they get the game in.

I’m not so much concerned with Vitters at the plate, but I’m REALLY curious to see how he plays third so hopefully he gets some chances. They’re playing Beloit and that’s usually a pretty competitive team (although at 18-31 they seem to have fallen off a bit), so I’m hoping for no rain and a good game. Beloit is starting some guy who is 2-5 with a 6.30 era and has given up 9 homers in 50 innings, so it should be a good game. Beloit also has a phenom on their team… Ramon Santana who is hitting .364 with 5 HR and 21 RBI… supposedly he’s a lot like Miguel Tejada so it should be awfully fun on the left side of the infield tonight! It’s also near 100% humidity down here, so the ball should be flying out of ~~O’Brien~~ ~~CAT~~ ~~Peoria~~ ~~Cheif’s~~ Random Company that Payed $5,000 Field. I wonder what they’ll call it tonight? :-)

by lswaidz on Jun 2, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks

No one is worried about Vitters hitting—it’s just fun to hear about him destroying the ball.

But if you go, the guy we really want to know about is Archer. I’m getting excited about him.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 2, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

santana

used roids and lied to congress.

cool

by tim815 on Jun 2, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions

FWIW...

… for those in the Chicago western suburbs, the Chiefs have a four-game series at Kane County from Saturday through Tuesday (night games Sat, Mon, Tues, day game Sunday). Presuming Vitters hasn’t been promoted by then, it’s a great chance for people in the Chicago area to see him.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 2, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions