Cubs Minor League Wrap -- June 26

by Josh77 on Jun 27, 2009 3:32 AM CDT in Minor Leagues Comment 4 comments

Josh Vitters hit his first home run this month tonight after a torrid May when he couldn't do anything but hit homers.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs zipped past the New Orleans Zephyrs, 7-3.

Jeff Samardzija picked up his fifth win tonight with seven solid innings. He allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five.

The I-Cubs had ten hits, all singles. Bobby Scales and Luis Rivas were both 2 for 4 with a run scored. Rivas added in an RBI. So Taguchi went 2 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI. Matt Camp had a walk, an RBI and a stolen base in a 2 for 3 game.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies lost to the Montgomery Biscuits, 4-2.

Starter Jeremy Papelbon took the loss, allowing all four runs in only 3.2 innings. Papelbon was tagged for seven hits, including two home runs. He walked two and fanned three.

First baseman Doug Deeds went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run. Deeds scored twice.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs transformed the hometown cheers for the Fort Myers Miracle into whine, 8-6.

Starter Craig Muschko threw four innings, allowing only one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out five.

Henry Williamson pitched very poorly, but got the win anyway when the offense scored for him. Williamson pitched two innings and gave up four runs on five hits and two walks. He didn't strike anyone out.

Shortstop Starlin Castro had a huge game, collecting five RBI with a double and a triple in a 2 for 4 night. Castro also walked once and scored once.

Third baseman Marwin Gonzalez was 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Center fielder Tony Campana went 2 for 5 with two runs scored. Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt went 2 for 4 with a run scored. First baseman Jovan Rosa was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

Right fielder Brandon Guyer had a double and an RBI in a 2 for 4 game. Guyer is now hitting .396 in 13 games in High-A. If the Cubs hadn't jumped him all the way to AA this season, I don't think anyone would be disappointed in his numbers at Daytona so far.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs bullpen broke down and the Chiefs fell to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 3-2.

Starter Chris Archer had a no-hitter going when he got pulled after five innings. The only problem was that he had probably thrown a lot of pitches considering he had walked five batters in that time, although none of them scored. Archer struck out four.

Chris Huseby blew his first save of the season, taking the loss as he allowed one run on four hits in one inning. He also allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth inning. Huseby struck out one.

Josh Vitters hit his first home run this month, going 2 for 4 with two RBI. As hot as Vitters was in May, he's been cold in June. Perhaps this is a sign he's breaking out of his slump.

Center fielder David Macias was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

The carnage continued as the Hawks were blown up by the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 11-1.

Robert Hernandez got beat up for four runs on five hits and two walks over four innings. He walked two and struck out five. One of the runs was unearned.

Catcher Alvaro Sosa was 1 for 3 with his first home run of the season.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Angels, 7-5.

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good to see Vitters

get it going. and nice to see another good one from castro, Archer, Samardzija

by Glacier on Jun 27, 2009 10:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Vitters needs to stay where he is at

There was some buzz earlier that Vitters should jump up, some said as far as AA. We’ll he had a tough patch. I’ve urged caution with him. He won’t help the Cubs this year, or next. I don’t see him anywhere near Wrigley until 2011 at the earliest, and maybe only as a September call-up.
Scales continues to be more productive than Miles, and could be on the roster at a fraction of the cost. Another Hendry blunder. If not Scales, anyone. There should have been an open competition for reserve infield spots this year. I’ve always been a proponent of leaving a few spots open for guys with fire to prove themselves in the Spring to push the veterans.
Jay Jackson has been on fire. 4-0 with a 1.14 ERA over his last eight starts. There is one guy that I honestly think could find his way to Wrigley next year in some capacity. The fight for the rotation should be heated next year. I don’t think the Cubs can keep Marshall in the bullpen, and Samardzija will be pushing for a spot too. Harden will not be resigned unless Hendry is insane.
Castro is tantalizing. He jumped low A to start off at Daytona. Probably not next year, but I can see him pushing his way to Wrigley in 2011.

by Nibbles on Jun 27, 2009 12:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jackson

I could see him in the bullpen this September, although his future is in the rotation, perhaps as soon as next season.

I’d still promote Vitters to Daytona. The calls for him to go to AA were silly, but despite his bad June, I still think he could handle the Florida State League. I think you do need to challenge top prospects from time to time. Guyer skipped Daytona and was over his head in AA, but after his demotion to Daytona, he’s been hitting the cover off the ball and doesn’t seem to have suffered any consequences. In fact, the struggles in TN may have helped him.

Not only Scales, but Matt Camp could probably outplay Miles. We all thought it was a mistake at the time and nothing has happened to change our opinion.

by Josh77 on Jun 27, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on Camp

Camp brings more to the table than Scales, much better defensive player at a number of positons, he also faster than Scales and can steal a base if needed and it looks like he’s starting to figure out the bat, upping his avg or 320 tonight.

by Slamdog on Jun 27, 2009 10:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs