Cubs Minor League Wrap -- July 1

by Josh Timmers on Jul 2, 2009 12:53 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

A major pitcher's duel in Des Moines tonight. And if Randy Wells even finishes in the top three in the ROY voting, I'll feel stupid for leaving him off my top 20 prospects list at the beginning of the season. Of course, everyone else did too.

Almost everyone lost tonight. Only the rookies saved the system.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were outlasted by the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 1-0 in 14 innings.

Jose Ascanio went back to starting and had four great innings, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Ascanio was then followed by, in order, James Russell, Jeff Stevens, Blake Parker and Justin Berg. John Gaub then threw a scoreless inning, but started the next one and had to be removed for an injury. Vince Perkins then walked the batter that Gaub had started on and when he came around to score, Gaub got the loss.

Darwin Barney was 1 for 5 in his AAA debut.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were downed by the Huntsville Stars, 3-1.

Jeremy Papelbon started and pitched five shutout innings, allowing only three hits and three walks. Papelbon struck out three.

Jake Muyco pitched two innings and took the loss. He gave up two runs on four hits and two walks. He didn't record a strikeout.

Left fielder Tyler Colvin was 2 for 3 with a walk. Shortstop Jonathan Mota went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. Right fielder Doug Deeds went 2 for 5.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were bitten by the Jupiter Hammerheads, 5-2

Ryan Searle has gone from all-star to the junk heap over the last month. Searle only lasted four innings tonight, allowing four runs on seven hits, two of which were home runs. Searle walked two but did strike out seven.

Center fielder Tony Campana went 2 for 4 with a run scored and two stolen bases. Campana has 23 steals so far this season. Second baseman Marwin Gonzalez scored once in a 2 for 3 game.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs lost to the Kane County Cougars, 3-2.

Starter Justin Bristow took the loss. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over three innings. One of the runs was unearned. Bristow struck out one.

Third baseman Jose Made had a triple in a 3 for 4 night. Made had two RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were choked and blinded by the Tri-City Dust Devils, 6-4

Starter Robert Hernandez didn't get the loss, but he got knocked around for four runs on four hits over four innings. Two of the hits were home runs. Hernandez walked one and struck out three.

AZL Cubs

The rookie league team salvaged the night and pounded the Indians, 12-3.

Catcher Richard Jones went 3 for 5 with two home runs and five RBI.

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Fun times down in Mesa

A bunch of draftees made their debuts their tonight for the AZL Cubs:

1st rounder Brett Jackson
7th Rounder Blair Springfield
9th Rounder Richard Jones
12th Rounder Runey Davis

Three main notes from the game:

-Jackson walked twice without striking out (yay)
-One of Richard Jones’ HRs was inside the park
-RHP Toby Matchulat had his third straight strong outing of the year. So far, he’s pitched 11 scoreless innings with 10 Ks and 4 BBs. An 11th rounder out of Wabash Valley CC (IL) last season, Matchulat has good stuff to go with a history of control problems (29 BBs in 18.7 IP last season). His start to the season is a welcome development.

by Outshined_One on Jul 2, 2009 1:02 AM CDT reply actions

Why is Jackson in the AZL?

Isn’t that way below his level? Shouldn’t he at least be in Boise?

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

by Al Yellon on Jul 2, 2009 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Maybe just getting his feet wet for a bit with a promotion coming soon?

I hope.

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Jul 2, 2009 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Jackson

Hasnt played in over a month!!!

by Slamdog on Jul 2, 2009 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions

They do that with just about every college kid who signs

Prior to the Boise (short season A) starting the guys that sign play on back fields in ARZ to get ready and no one notices. But once the short season has started they have to play them there to get in some work before moving them up.
Boise has a expanded active roster (I think 35 or 40) so they can pretty much add guys as they sign once they are ready.

by CA Cub Fan on Jul 2, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the explanation.

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

by Al Yellon on Jul 2, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions

A LH hitting catcher

with blinding speed and an OPS of 2.400. Bring him to Wrigley for The Brewers series.

If you like Selig's handling of the steroid issue, you'll love his choice for next Cub owner.

by tharr on Jul 2, 2009 3:53 AM CDT reply actions

let us know

when you have anything on the gaub injury. that sux.

by tim815 on Jul 2, 2009 7:16 AM CDT reply actions

If anyone is bored an interested

I’m going to a couple Smokies games next week—anyone feel like giving me some players summaries of people to watch, descriptions, etc?

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Jul 2, 2009 8:17 AM CDT reply actions

Rockies fan here.

In the BCB Jeff Baker trade Fanshot, I asked for info about Al Alburquerque, and was redirected here by a poster with the suggestion I may get better info from you, Josh 77.

What can you tell me about him, and his arm injury that sidelined him for 2008?

by Greg Stanwood on Jul 2, 2009 12:03 PM CDT reply actions

One thing I know

At least half the Rockies fans will misspell his name.

by rlpete on Jul 2, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

More than half

He’s been the bane of my existence.

by Josh Timmers on Jul 2, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

He had shoulder surgery

and that’s all I know. It knocked him out for a year and a half, so it wasn’t a minor procedure.

Alburquerque throws hard and has done well this season since returning from the surgery, but he’s strictly middle-relief material.

by Josh Timmers on Jul 2, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I like Al Al

Mid-90s FB as a starter. (Maybe throws harder now in relief? I haven’t gotten a reading this season.) Good slider. I was wondering if he’d have a more advanced role next season when he had put more distance from his arm operations. Colorado promoted him to AA.

by Raisin on Jul 2, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

I heard

more low-90s as a starter and now mid-90s as a reliever. Of course, it’s hard to say because when he was a starter was when he was having all the shoulder problems.

I’ve never actually seen him pitch, though.

by Josh Timmers on Jul 2, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Fair enough

Either way, intriguing arm and great K/BB ratio. That he’s still around after multiple arm/shoulder injuries and this effective is something.

by Raisin on Jul 2, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

July 2nd - Latin American FA Signing Opens

And the Cubs sign a guy who was available to be signed before today: 17-year old Venezuelan catcher WIlson Contreras received an $850,000 bonus which would be the most money the Cubs have given to an international amateur since Larry Suarez in 2006. The Cubs have already signed OF Dong-Yub Kim (South Korean, age 18, $550,000 bonus), IF Ping-Chieh Chen (Taiwan, age 17, $300,000 bonus) and RHP Yao-Lin Wang (Taiwan, age 17, $250,000 bonus).

The Cubs are still in the running for a couple other Latin prospects who will receive 6 or possibly even 7-figure bonuses: SS Humberto Valor (Venezuela), RHP Jochi Ogando (Dominican Republic), C/1B Jacob Beltre (Dominican Republic) and LHP Kirby Peña (Dominican Republic). The most highly thought of Latin American prospect this year – Miguel Angel Sano – has not yet been cleared to sign by MLB due to potential irregularities with his age. The Cubs were at one time thought to be a potential suitor for him but now the leading candidates are the Pirates, Twins and Orioles.

by Raisin on Jul 2, 2009 4:32 PM CDT reply actions