Cubs Minor League Wrap--April 18

by Josh Timmers on Apr 18, 2010 7:08 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Everyone (sort of) won today. I hope that makes you feel a little better.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs outplayed the Nashville Sounds 11-6.

Starter J.R. Mathes was the beneficiary of the offensive explosion. Mathes got the win despite allowing six runs on eight hits over six innings. He didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

Second baseman Bobby Scales had three doubles in a 3 for 4 afternoon. Scales scored twice and had two RBI.

Catcher Welington Castillo also had a big day. He hit his second home run of the year with a man on in the second inning. He also hit a triple and walked twice in a 2 for 3 game. Castillo had four RBI and scored twice.

Shortstop Matt Camp was 2 for 5 with a double and a stolen base. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 5 with a run scored and a stolen base. Left fielder Brad Snyder went 2 for 4 with a double. Snyder had three RBI and scored twice.

Tennessee Smokies

Ryan Flaherty hit a two-run walkoff home run in the bottom of the tenth as the Smokies shocked the Chattanooga Lookouts, 6-5.

Starter Craig Muschko went six innings and allowed two runs on three hits. He walked three and struck out five.

Dustin Sasser gave up a go-ahead run in the top of the tenth, but got the win when the Smokies came back in the bottom of the inning. Sasser went one inning and allowed one run on three hits. He didn't strike out or walk a batter.

Flaherty's home run was his first of the year. Flaherty went 2 for 3 with two walks. He had three RBI total on the day and scored twice.

Shortstop Starlin Castro was 2 for 4 with a triple and a walk. Center fielder Tony Campana went 3 for 5 with an RBI. Left fielder Ty Wright scored a run in a 2 for 5 day.

Daytona Cubs

Seems it never rains in Southern California. But it sure does rain on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. Double-header scheduled for tomorrow. So Daytona didn't win today, but only because of the rain.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs fumigated the hive of the Burlington Bees, 10-3.

Starter Nicolas Struck got the win with five effective innings. He allowed only one run on two hits. He struck out four and didn't walk anyone.

Ronny Moria pitched the final two innings and got his first save of the year. Moria allowed no runs and only one hit. Moria struck out one and walked no one.

DH Greg Rohan was 3 for 5 with a double. He had four RBI and now has 12 RBI in nine games. Rohan also stole his first base of the year.

Center fielder Jose Valdez was 2 for 4 with a walk and another stolen base. Valdez scored twice and had one RBI.

Shortstop Logan Watkins went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. He scored three runs. Second baseman George Matheus was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Hak-Ju Lee had the day off from fielding and served as the DH. He had yet another two hits today. He was 2 for 5 with a triple, a run scored and an RBI. Lee now has gotten two hits in five straight games and six of his last seven.

Tweet Comment 24 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Any clue on Fuld?

I see no sign he went on the DL but he has not played in a week and he went to Chicago to see a Cubs doctor on Monday.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Apr 18, 2010 7:18 PM CDT reply actions

Fuld IS on the DL

They usually update injuries and stuff in the game notes. This is from Saturday:

INJURY REPORT: OF Sam Fuld was placed on the disabled list on April 13th with a bruise in the webbing between his left thumb and forefinger. He’s expected to return soon after his seven days on the disabled list expire.

"He put up Nintendo-type numbers." -Oneri Fleita [in regards to Kyler Burke's season]

by SydKyd on Apr 18, 2010 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions

THANK YOU

I read he had an issue with “webbing” which I have never heard of before. Sounded like a bad glove.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Apr 18, 2010 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions

If Castro can keep this up.

He should not be in Tennessee all year.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 18, 2010 7:21 PM CDT reply actions

I'd be surprised

if Castro spends the whole season in TN. I’d actually be surprised if Castro doesn’t make the majors before the September call ups.

Now whether he ever plays in Des Moines, I don’t know. The Cubs don’t feel it’s always necessary for prospects to play in AAA.

I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex

by Josh Timmers on Apr 18, 2010 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions

In 9 games on the season, he has 6 multihit games

Projected out to 162 games (just for fun, obviously), his stats would be:
36 doubles, 54 triples, 0 HR, 180 RBI, 72 SB, 18 CS, 36 BB, and 126 K.
Now that’s a hot streak!

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

by cubzfan on Apr 18, 2010 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL.

The triples are excellent. I would like to see some HRs mixed in alittle bit too.

I really don’t like too many comparisions for him, I just think he’ll just be the next “Starlin Castro”. I like the Edgar Renteria comp but I think his upside is alittle higher. That’s IF he can add some power.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 18, 2010 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions

He could be better

than Renteria. He certainly looks like he could have a higher batting average. I just don’t see him adding the power that would turn him into Hanley Ramirez or something like that.

I do hesitate to add that his 19 year old season last year was better than Hanley Ramirez’s 19 year old season in 2003. Hanley had a little more power. Castro hit for a better average. They both walked about the same and Castro struck out less. Castro also did it at a higher level (Hanley was in low A at 19.)

Fun to think about, but I think there are enough differences to say that Renteria is a better comp than Hanley. But “Better than Renteria and worse than Hanley” is a good place to be. And it’s always possible I’m wrong and he does develop some power. He’s still young.

I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex

by Josh Timmers on Apr 18, 2010 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep.

I think the same people that get mad at the Renteria comparision are the same ones that don’t realize how good of a player Renteria was.

I think Hanley could be his upside — truly because he is so young. We just don’t know how his power will or will not mature. It’ll be fun to watch.

One thing for sure – he’s one heck of a talent.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 18, 2010 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Renteria

has only made five all-star games; won two Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers.

To think that would be disappointing is to have unrealistic expectations.

I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex

by Josh Timmers on Apr 18, 2010 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Exactly.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 18, 2010 11:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Renteria would be fine for me

Taking the listed height/weights with a grain of sand, Ramirez is listed at 6’3", 230. Castro is listed at 6’0", 190. It seems a little unrealistic to see Castro ever developing Ramirez power. It would be nice to see him develop Renteria double digit HR power though.

For the record, Renteria’s career line is .288 / .345 / .401. Renteria’s best season was 2003 with a .330 / .394 / .480 mark. Renteria also has 287 career steals.

As you say, Renteria has had a better career than many people realize. I guess that is because he came up in the Nomar / A-Rod/ Tejeda and now Ramirez slugging SS era.

by rlpete on Apr 19, 2010 6:40 AM CDT up reply actions

It could be

that Nomar/A-Rod/Tejada would look a lot more like Renteria sans the juice.

We will never know, though. I hate that I even have to think that.

"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 Apr 19, 2010 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah no reason for him

to go to AAA. Sorry I actually meant what you were saying – I’d be surprised if he’s not in the majors if he keeps this up.

What I LOVE about Castro is his AVG with RISP. The parent club needs that. He’s basically Anti-Theriot.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 18, 2010 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Small Sample Size Alert, but still

Of the 12 hitters on the Smokies roster, 7 have an OPS over .900

by timh815 on Apr 18, 2010 7:52 PM CDT reply actions

As they say...

Hitting is contageous.

by bdlugz on Apr 18, 2010 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions

The Smokies can rake

Some of those guys are playing over their heads, I think, but then there’s Ryan Flaherty who hadn’t done much before today. He’s going to be up among the league leading hitters before long.

I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex

by Josh Timmers on Apr 18, 2010 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Even (gasp) Tony Thomas is hitting.

by timh815 on Apr 19, 2010 7:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Let's how our Hawks have as much

success against Nashville.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Apr 18, 2010 9:02 PM CDT reply actions

Chirinos

I realize he will probably not become a Cub and he is learning a new position. However I noticed Chattanooga stole 5 bases off him tonight. Has anyone seen him behind the plate and noticed his skills? OTOH, he is smoking the ball.

by tharr on Apr 18, 2010 9:31 PM CDT reply actions

I've never seen him catch.

but he just started last year, so you can imagine there might be some problems.

The thing with Chirinos is that he’s starting his 10th season in the Cubs minors. Catching is his last shot at making the majors, although he’s still only 26. But the Cubs keep him around because they seem him as a potential coaching prospect. Even if he doesn’t take to catching, learning how will help him when he’s managing the Boise Hawks in a couple of seasons.

I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex

by Josh Timmers on Apr 18, 2010 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks

I can see him getting a cup of coffee for his long time services.

by tharr on Apr 18, 2010 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Would be nice to see

if it doesn’t necessitate a 40 man roster move.

"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 Apr 19, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Since he is Castro's mentor

Would it be too much of a blow to his ego if the Cubs were to offer him a position as a bullpen catcher next year? He’d never have to throw anyone out at 2nd! And he could learn more about coaching from major league coaches.

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

by cubzfan on Apr 19, 2010 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions