Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 14

by Josh Timmers on Aug 15, 2009 12:27 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

Two Cub minor leaguers in the Dominican Summer League (which I normally don't cover) were suspended for 50 games for testing posive for banned performance-enhancing substances. No, I have no idea who these two guys are. I have my hands full trying to learn all the players playing for the Cubs in this country.

Iowa Cubs (60-59)

The I-Cubs lost to the Tacoma Rainiers, 4-0.

Mitch Atkins started and took the loss tonight, mainly because he gave up two home runs in five innings. He allowed six hits total, and all four runs were charged to his record. Atkins walked three and struck out five.

The I-Cubs only managed four hits tonight.

Tennessee Smokies (24-25)

The Smokies blotted out the Jacksonville Suns, 3-2.

A strong start for Hung-Wen Chen tonight. Chen allowed only one run in 6.2 innings tonight. Along the way he gave up five hits and only one walk while striking out six.

It was save number 17 tonight for Brian Schlitter who walked one and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Daytona Cubs

You see, teams want their HIgh-A team in Florida or the Carolina League because California is so far away and because out in California, you don't get those rainouts that your prospects need to really develop their card-playing skills. Otherwise, they'll all get fleeced by the veterans when they make the show. So you really need all those rainouts in the FSL.

Peoria Chiefs (28-19)

The Chiefs blitzed the Burlington Bees, 10-3.

Chris Archer picked up his fifth win tonight. He threw six innings and allowed two runs on only four hits. He didn't walk anyone (the best news of all) and struck out seven.

Alberto Cabrera pitched the final three innings and therefore picked up his first save. He allowed a run on two hits. He didn't walk anyone either and struck out one.

No one had two home runs for the Chiefs tonight, but DH Junior Lake did hit a grand slam in the fourth inning. It was his seventh homer. Lake was 1 for 4 on the evening.

Third baseman Jovan Rosa was 3 for 3 with a walk and two doubles. He scored once and had two RBI. First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 5 with a double and two runs scored.

Boise Hawks (24-30)

The Hawks defeated the Everett Aqua Sox, 10-3.

Su-Ming Jung allowed no runs and only one hit in his four inning start. Jung walked two and struck out two.

Kenneth McNutt got the win with three innings of scoreless and hitless relief. He did walk two and struck out three.

Second baseman Logan Watkins reached base five times, as he was 3 for 3 with two walks. Watkins had two RBI and stole a base. DH Richard Jones went 2 for 4 with a double. He scored once.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee went 1 for 3 with two walks and two stolen bases. Lee scored twice and had two RBI. Lee now has 18 steals on the season.

AZL Cubs

Did not play.

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

what are Colvin's numbers now?

I know he he’s been hot lately

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Aug 15, 2009 1:25 AM CDT reply actions

General note

For a player’s stats, just click on the box score link provided by Josh, then on the player’s name. That will get you to their page on minor league baseball’s site.

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

by cubzfan on Aug 15, 2009 7:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Who is the better prospect -

Hak-Ju Lee or Starlin Castro?

by cubsforever on Aug 15, 2009 1:41 AM CDT reply actions

That's a tough one

I ranked Castro higher because he’s been playing at a higher level so far this season. But if you ask me who has the higher potential, I think I’ll go with Lee by a nose. I’m worried Castro may move to second base and Lee is just showing a lot more plate discipline.

That’s a great question. Maybe tomorrow I’ll put it up as a poll.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 15, 2009 4:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Lee is only

8 months younger than Castro, and Castro is now three levels above him, although he’s spent most of the season being successful two levels higher. That’s good enough for me to say Castro is the better prospect until Lee shows something above the NWL.

Still a great question for debate.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 15, 2009 4:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Good question

But not close, Castro by a mile, his upside is tremendous and just let this play out in the next few years. I know people that have seen both and they say that Lee is a very good player but Castro plays at a different level when it counts.

by Slamdog on Aug 15, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions

"The I-Cubs only managed four hits tonight."

So I guess we have the best of the farm talent on the big-league squad already? Who will we call up in 16 days?

“Will the last player out of the minors please turn out the lights?” – Skip Caray, June, 2005

"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 Aug 15, 2009 2:27 AM CDT reply actions

Gaub on the 27th or 28th

to prevent the possibility of being returned to Iowa, costing him an option. The Mariners trotted out a good prospect, who threw a CG at us.

by tim815 on Aug 15, 2009 6:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I doubt you'll see Gaub at all this year.

That’d save an option year.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 15, 2009 7:18 AM CDT up reply actions

If he's not sent back down, it doesn't cost an option

That’s why September call-ups don’t cost an option year.

The Cubs did not use an option on Randy Wells this year, for example.

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

by cubzfan on Aug 15, 2009 7:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Which is why i wouldn't call him up until the 28th or 29th.

He could get an extra outing or two, and wouldn’t get shipped off, costing the option. He’ll need to be on the 40 man this winter anyway

by tim815 on Aug 15, 2009 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions

If he's not called up at all, that doesn't burn an option.

There’s really no point to doint it.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 15, 2009 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions

*doing

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 15, 2009 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Wisdom says

I should let this go, but….

I would like to keep Grabow in 2010, but not as a LOOGY. I think he’s a good enough reliever to spot in either the seventh or eighth innings sometimes. Since I like Grabow, I’d like to have another lefty in the pen as a true specialist. Would Gaub get it done? Without walking too many? Let him face Prince Fielder three times in September.

Gaub will be eligible for the 40 man this winter. If Pittsburgh takes Veal, they’d take Gaub. He wouldn’t burn an option, unless, like Hoffpauir, he gets optioned.

And if Gaub is terrible in September, then he can ride the Iowa-Chicago shuttle a few times in 2010, and Grabow can be a LOOGY, unless we want to add someone or use Marshall.

by tim815 on Aug 15, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

The solution is...

… to put him on the 40-man this winter. Why bother doing it now and starting the service time clock?

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 16, 2009 6:08 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm actually not expecting Gaub anymore

Unless an injury happens. Reason being Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow have added depth. Now, there are three lefties to move around when Lilly comes back, and starting Gaub makes little sense when Gorzelanny has pitched well. Even if Tom G is needed in the rotation, that’s still two lefties in the pen.

In terms of call-ups, all 40 man guys are options, including Marcos Mateo, who has quietly righted the ship with his move to the pen, where his top stuff has played better. I’m not sure I’m expecting a Mateo callup, but he definitely is an option. Some non-40 man guys that could get considered:

Gaub (my guess would be no – I guess Lambert/Russell/Papelbon could all be considered, but they’d be no for me as well and stack behind Gaub right now)

Casey Fossum (wouldn’t stun me if he got a nod over Gaub, as Fossum could be dumped off the 40 man this offseason)

Blake Parker (I wouldn’t be surprised with this one – control’s a problem, but he has the stuff to perhaps lessen the workload late in the year, when you want all your top pitchers to be ready)

Greg Reinhard/Vince Perkins (not expecting it, but both have had solid AAA pen seasons and who knows what might happen down the stretch, unlikely, though, and both would stack behind Parker)

Chris Robinson/Steve Clevenger (why? I’m not expecting it by an injury to a catcher could lead to a look for a catcher).

Oh, I wouldn’t rule out Andrew Cashner, Chris Carpenter, Jay Jackson. I’m not expecting it, but all three (particularly Carpenter and Jackson) could probably help in our big league pen right now. If we are in it … don’t rule out anything.

That said, I’m really only expecting 40 man call ups, with perhaps a Blake Parker mixed in.

by toonsterwu on Aug 16, 2009 7:35 AM CDT up reply actions