Cubs Minor League Wrap -- June 21

by Josh Timmers on Jun 22, 2009 12:38 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

And a Happy Father's Day to everyone out there. It's a bit of a bittersweet one for me as it's my second Father's Day but the first one since my father died in February. The good piece of news there is that his granddaughter did visit him once before he died.

Iowa Cubs

It's two shutouts in a row for the I-Cubs as they blanked the Memphis Redbirds, 7-0.

It was Kevin Hart's turn in the rotation today, but his recall to Chicago meant that Iowa went with four relievers today. James Russell started and allowed three hits and no walks over three innings. He struck out one. Then Justin Berg took over and while he walked three and didn't get a strikeout, he didn't allow a hit and picked up the win. Finally, Jeff Stevens and Neal Cotts each threw two innings to finish out the game.

Catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. He had three RBI. Center fielder Sam Fuld had an RBI and a run scored in a 2 for 5 game. He also stole his 18th base of the season.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies outslugged the Carolina Mudcats, 8-6.

Starter Casey Lambert was the beneficiary of strong offense, as he grabbed his fifth win despite not pitching well at all. Lambert gave up five runs on eight hits over five innings. Lambert didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

Brian Schlitter gave up a run on three hits over two innings, but snagged his 11th save anyway. Schlitter struck out two and walked nobody.

Third baseman Marquez Smith celebrated Father's Day by hitting two solo home runs. Smith was 2 for 4 and now has five homers on the year.

Catcher Welington Castillo also homered. Castillo hit a three-run shot in the second inning. He was 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Left fielder Russ Canzler also hit a solo home run. Canzler was 1 for 2 with a walk and two runs scored.

Second baseman Tony Thomas and shortstop Jonathan Mota were both 2 for 5. Thomas had an RBI.

Daytona Cubs

Finished up the All-Star break. Daytona finished the first half at an even 31-31, which was good enough for second place in the FSL North Division.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were stung by the Burlington Bees, 7-1.

Aaron Shafer got the start and was rocked for five runs and seven hits in 4.1 innings. Shafer struck out five and walked one.

Catcher Michael Brenly was 3 for 4. DH Jose Made made his season debut a good one as he was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks were blinded by the Tri-City Dust Devils, 12-7.

Robert Hernandez used to be a top prospect in the system, but he's trying to get his career back on track in Boise. Tonight he was pretty good as he allowed only one run on four hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out two.

Josh Lansford made his debut on the mound tonight, at least as a regular pitcher and not as an emergency guy they stuck on the mound. Lansford gave up two runs on three hits over two innings. He struck out two and didn't walk a batter.

The Koreans were big tonight as Hak-Ju Lee went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. Lee scored twice and had an RBI. Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI.

Cliff Andersen was 3 for 4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.

AZL Cubs

Scored three in the ninth inning to beat the Angels, 6-5.

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Comments

jae-hoon ja

may start to climb my outfielders prospect list soon. not much there in the outfield as of now in A and AA ball.

by tim815 on Jun 22, 2009 1:52 AM CDT reply actions

Sam Fuld

Here’s hoping Sam can carry the momentum from yesterday’s game into today. He’s getting married on the I-Cubs day off. Congrats to Sam and Sarah.

by noblerj on Jun 22, 2009 8:54 AM CDT reply actions

What is the status of Clevenger?

Meaning is he a legitimate player that could help the Cubs? Average behind the plate? Seems he is good hitter, no power. Just curious.

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

by Grockcubs on Jun 22, 2009 9:21 AM CDT reply actions

Yes

Clevenger is a prospect. He might not have a lot of power, but he should get on base a lot and his defense is improving all the time—when I saw him play in Boise a few years ago, he was a shortstop.

There’s a strong possibility that Clevenger is our backup catcher next season—or that he’s a major trading chip before then. Kevin Goldstein over at Baseball Prosepectus quoted a scout saying that he’s a potential starting major league catcher.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 22, 2009 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks Josh

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

by Grockcubs on Jun 23, 2009 5:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Anyone know why Freel was not in lineup?

Didn’t know if it was just an off day or if it was something surrounding a trade.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jun 22, 2009 9:26 AM CDT reply actions

Maybe it had something to do with his imaginary friend.

"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 22, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions

What a good movie

however, the second Darko movie, S. Darko, was horrible

by Glacier on Jun 22, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Clevenger

He’s a line drive gap type hitter who Von Joshua has said that he think Clevenger power will improve SOME. He’s hit everywhere he’s been and very tough to strikeout. From reports all over have his catching improving every year since he made the conversion in the fall of 2006. He was in the Top 25% of throwing runners out last season. He basically ran by the chosen catcher in Castillo this spring. Drafted in the 7th round out of Chipola where he was a shorstop and played 2nd base at Boise his 1st season. Looks like the perfect backup for Soto being a left handed hitter.

by Slamdog on Jun 22, 2009 10:08 AM CDT reply actions

clevenger a good backup

and brenly a good bit of secondary bait.

i like how our depth is beginning to shape up.

maybe next year, we’ll rate higher than 27th.

by tim815 on Jun 22, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Congrats

Derrick Fitzgerald went 4 for 4 with 2 doubles in professional debut at Mesa yesterday. Derrick was a 22nd round pick out of Dyersburg State CC in Tennesse and 2nd baseman/outfielder.

by Slamdog on Jun 22, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions

Robert Hernandez

Hope his stay in Boise is short – he was slated to start the season in Daytona before he sprained his ankle a week before the minor leaguers left Fitch. He looked good yesterday (you can watch Boise Hawks games for free via their web site; it’s legit and legal, don’t drop the cash on MiLB.com when you can get it for free) – the two XBH he gave up were wind-aided.

Toby Matchulat will be an interesting guy to keep tabs on – good stuff (low 90s FB, very tight curve), and a fresh arm as he didn’t pitch much in JC (was hidden by his coaches in hopes he wouldn’t get drafted). But he had MAJOR control issues last year. He was the last cut from Boise’s roster this season, so the 4 K/0 BB outing last night in Mesa was no fluke this season.

by Raisin on Jun 22, 2009 11:56 AM CDT reply actions