Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 29

by Josh Timmers on Aug 30, 2009 12:48 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

Iowa Cubs (70-65)

The Iowa Cubs made it four in a row tonight with a 7-4 thumping of the Oklahoma City RedHawks.

Casey Fossum improved his record to 6-4 by allowing only one run on two hits over five innings. Fossum walked four and hit two batters. He struck out nine.

Blake Parker pitched the ninth inning and picked up his 20th save. Parker allowed one hit and didn't walk anyone. He struck out two.

First baseman Micah Hoffpauir went 2 for 4 with three RBI and a run scored. Third baseman Andres Blanco was 2 for 5 with two runs scored. Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies (34-28)

Ryno's Boys stayed tied for first place by beating the Moblie Bay Bears, 7-4.

Starter Jeremy Papelbon gave up two home runs in his five-inning start, but got the win anyway. Papelbon allowed four runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out one.

Brian Schlitter got save number twenty-one. He pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing no runs on one hit. He didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin hit a bases-loaded triple and a solo home run for four RBI tonight. Colvin was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Shortstop Starlin Castro went 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Castro also stole his third base for Tennessee.

Daytona Cubs (27-34)

The D-Cubs were thrashed by the Clearwater Threshers, 6-2.

Rafael Dolis started and only went three innings. He gave up two runs on three hits, although one of the two runs was unearned. Dolis walked four and struck out three as his record dropped to 3-9. His ERA is a respectable 3.54 though.

Left fielder Marwin Gonzalez hit his second home run, a solo home run in the fifth inning. Gonzalez was 1 for 3.

DH Brandon Guyer was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Second baseman Jake Opitz was 2 for 3 wih a walk.

Peoria Chiefs (38-23)

The Chiefs shucked the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 11-1.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx continues to dominate the Midwest League. Tonight he improved his record to 7-1, tossing 6.2 innings and allowing only one run on five hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out six. The Chiefs expect Bibens-Dirkx to start the playoffs for them, but I really think he needs to get a September call-up. Please?

It was a six RBI night for right fielder Kyler Burke, including a triple and a grand slam. It was Burke's 14th homer this year. Burke was 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice.

DH Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored twice and had two RBI. First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 5 with an RBI and three runs scored.

Center fielder Jose Valdez made his Midwest League debut a successful one. He was 2 for 5 with two runs scored.

Boise Hawks (30-38)

The Hawks lost their sixth game in a row as they were messed up by the Tri-City Dust Devils 3-1.

Starter Robert Hernandez was pretty good tonight. He went five innings and allowed only one run on four hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out five.

Eduardo Figueroa got the loss in relief. He gave up two runs, one earned, over his 1.2 inning relief stint.

Shortstp Hak-Ju Lee was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

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Comments

I guess it's probably non-news, but...

I am impressed by Starlin Castro adjusting to AA pitching. His Daytona OPS was .731. After a slow start, his 10aC OPS is .728. Not bad for a teenager. Let him play all season in Tennesee next season after a decent batch of ABs in the spring. Keep him in one spot all season, with Flaherty,

I’m of a mind to try to keep all the reasonable prospects (as applicable) off of the 40 man until Spring of 2011 as possible. I think a lengthy strike is possible, if not probable. I’d like as many of our kids as possible to have the opportunity to play in 2011 if there is a work stoppage. There, I said it.

by tim815 on Aug 30, 2009 2:33 AM CDT reply actions

2011 is also the ETA for Vitters as a regular, right?

We could potentially be looking at Vitters, Castro, Theriot, Ramirez across the infield. I sure like the sound of that. It seems like the transition from free-agent vets to youth might take place quicker than I might have anticipated. Good stuff.

by cubsforever on Aug 30, 2009 4:46 AM CDT up reply actions

With Huk-Ju Lee

Ryan Flaherty, and DJ LeMahieu providing competition (and insurance) shortly after.

by tim815 on Aug 30, 2009 7:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Not sure about Vitters in 2011...

He’s in Daytona right now, and has a sub-.600 OPS there. He’d either have to make a dramatic jump next year (not impossible, but I wouldn’t say it should be expected) – or the Cubs would have to go against their usual policy of having prospects progress through AAA before call-ups – to be considered MLB-ready in 2011. He may be a September call-up in 2011 though if he progresses steadily. But I would think 2012 would be the year he’d be expected to become a regular.

by SouthernCub on Aug 30, 2009 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions

2 cents

I think a more realistic ETA for Vitters, full time duty, is probably 2012. Assuming he develops, we’re probably looking Daytona/Tennessee for 2010, some combo of Tennessee/Iowa in 2011, and thus, a chance in 2012. That’s assuming the development goes smoothly.

Hopefully, Ryan Flaherty’s ETA is 2011. I think a lot of people are anticipating a jump to AA next year, so he could be in line for the 2nd base spot in 2011. Gut feeling based on their decisions with Castro is that they are looking at 2011 as well. Again, Castro’s going to grow, so any projection now shouldn’t be locked in.

by toonsterwu on Aug 31, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Is Blanco on a rehab assignment?

Or was he optioned?

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 30, 2009 8:18 AM CDT reply actions

Rehab assignment...

15-day DL with a “calf strain.” He’s now played 18 games, and the rehab assignments are 20-games for position players. Conveniently, the 20th game would be Aug 31. So I would be shocked if he’s not called up shortly after the rosters expand.

by SouthernCub on Aug 30, 2009 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Good.

Once he’s back there will be no need for Aaron Miles to ever play again.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 30, 2009 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed...

Unless he sneaks into a game today or tomorrow, I think Miles might be done with meaningful action as a Cub. He’ll move to back to fifth on the middle-infield depth chart at that point. Aside from possibly pinch hitting in an extra-inning game, there’d be no need to put him on the field again.

by SouthernCub on Aug 30, 2009 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions

I saw the Peoria game at CR last night.............

Bibens-Dirkx was tough- got out of a couple early jams then settled in and pitched a nice game. Does anyone know how hard he throws? The radar gun at CR is not very reliable, and they had him only in the mid 80’s the entire game. I know he works on a lot of off speed stuff and location, but seems like he’s going to need a little more velocity as he moves on.

Like the way the Flaherty kid swings the bat.

"I still don't know what happened"- Fergie Jenkins on '69

by tommy veryzer on Aug 30, 2009 10:17 AM CDT reply actions

from what I recall

from ABX’s Seattle days, high 80’s were about where he topped out. Could be wrong, though.

by toonsterwu on Aug 31, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Bibens-Dirkx

Saw some reports that said he was 88-92 mostly 90/91 and the biggest question was his slider when he was with the Mariners minor leagues. He seemed to have trouble putting hitters away but seems to be throwing better strikes this year and getting more strikeouts.

by Slamdog on Aug 30, 2009 10:40 AM CDT reply actions