Cubs Minor League Wrap--April 20

by Josh Timmers on Apr 20, 2010 11:10 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Memphis Redbirds, 4-3.

Starter Thomas Diamond gave up a solo home run to Redbird Ruben Gotay, but was otherwise very good over six innings. He allowed one run on three hits. Diamond walked three and struck out four.

Unfortunately, his bullpen couldn't hold the lead. Marcos Mateo, making his first appearance in AAA, got torched for three runs on four hits over two innings. Mateo struck out two.

Former Cub Rich Hill shut down the Cubs for 6.2 innings, allowing only one hit and two unearned runs. However, if you think his problems are over, Hill did walk five. Left fielder Brad Snyder hit his first home run of the year in the ninth inning. The solo shot got the Cubs to within a run, but no closer. Snyder was 1 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies improved their record to 10-2 with a 6-5 filleting of the Carolina Mudcats. The Smokies have the best record in all of baseball right now.

Chris Carpenter (no, not that one) came off the DL and made his first appearance of the year. He was fine for three innings, allowing one run on two hits and a walk. He struck out one.

Marco Carillo picked up the win in relief because Carpenter didn't go five. Carillo pitched two shutout innings, permitting only one hit. He struck out one.

Jake Muyco gave up three singles in the ninth inning, but was saved when right fielder Brandon Guyer threw out a runner trying to score from second with one out. He pitched the one inning for his fourth save of the year.

Starlin Castro was 2 for 4 with a double and his first home run of the season. Castro scored twice and had two RBI.

Center fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 4 with a triple and two runs scored.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were downed by the Dunedin Blue Jays, 6-4

Starter Alberto Cabrera allowed six runs in the first inning. That was all Dunedin would get on the night, but that was enough, obviously. Three of the six runs allowed were unearned, as shortstop Junior Lake made two errors in the first. Cabrera went four innings and allowed seven hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Right fielder Kyler Burke was 3 for 4 with a triple and a run scored. First baseman Matt Spencer went 3 for 4.

Peoria Chiefs

A Matt Cerda triple in the bottom of the eleventh inning gave Peoria a 8-7 win over the Kane County Cougars.

Starting pitcher Jeffry Antigua got knocked around for five runs over 3.2 innings. He allowed four hits but wildness was his big problem as he walked five. He did strike out six Cougars, however.

James Leverton pitched a scoreless top of the eleventh to get his first win of the year. Leverton allowed one hit. He didn't strike out or walk anyone.

Third baseman Cerda was obviously the big man on campus tonight. He was 2 for 6 with the RBI triple. DH Justin Bour was 3 for 3 with a double and a walk. Bour scored once and had a sac fly RBI.

Right fielder Alvaro Ramirez went 2 for 5 with a run scored.

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Comments

Josh, you're probably the one to ask.

What’s Brett Jackson’s hit streak at? For w/e reason the Daytona site won’t load for me.

by Dr. Jay on Apr 20, 2010 11:51 PM CDT reply actions

Ten

I guess that’s when I start paying attention to hit streaks.

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

by Josh Timmers on Apr 21, 2010 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks

He’s surprised Vitters in my eyes as our best position player prospect (after Castro of course). Given that he seems to have fixed the plate patience problem that caused him to drop to the end of the first round, what do you think his ceiling is?

by Dr. Jay on Apr 21, 2010 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions

He sometimes gets compared

to Steve Finley. That might be a little high, just because the length of Finley’s career was so extraordinary, but he could end up being a very similar player to Finley.

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

by Josh Timmers on Apr 21, 2010 1:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Who are the best candidates to be called up for bullpen help?

Stat-wise in ST I liked Diamond and was rooting for him as a deep sleeper (I was also pulling for Berg-Russell et al). I see Patton also pitched a few scoreless frames tonight (he would be a vet arm on the ML club…grandpa Patton!) Any other pitchers out there who could be called upon sooner rather than later?

"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman

by BucknerKongCardenal on Apr 20, 2010 11:54 PM CDT reply actions

I also like Diamond

From the little I have seen from him I think he has better stuff than either Berg or Russell. That opinion is also probably slightly colored by his pedigree as a former legitimate prospect with the Rangers.

by JSB on Apr 21, 2010 12:04 AM CDT up reply actions

I like Blake Parker also.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 21, 2010 12:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Also

Who is the manager and hitting coach at Daytona?

Whomever they are I like them.

Also, sorry for making this post start off as 20 Questions.

As always, thanks for the posts.

"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman

by BucknerKongCardenal on Apr 20, 2010 11:58 PM CDT reply actions

I meant for the Smokies

So I’ll just answer my own question. Bill Dancy is the manager in Tennessee and Tom Beyers is the hitting coach.

"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman

by BucknerKongCardenal on Apr 21, 2010 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Question

Where did Michael Brenly wind up?

by azjazzman on Apr 21, 2010 12:04 AM CDT reply actions

He's in Daytona

He was 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored tonight.

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

by Josh Timmers on Apr 21, 2010 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions

@ Josh77

Thanks!

by azjazzman on Apr 21, 2010 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Good to see Kyler finally break through with a good game.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Apr 21, 2010 7:48 AM CDT reply actions

Mario Mercedes is doing well in Peoria

My comment will probably send him on a 4-38 skid, but his OPS is at .871. Anything we need to know about him?

by timh815 on Apr 21, 2010 9:37 AM CDT reply actions

Josh

It seems like Campana has 2 hits every night. Do you have a quick recap of him—suspect or prospect? I admittedly have not followed him closely.

Thanks.

by socalbob on Apr 21, 2010 9:45 AM CDT reply actions

Marginal prospect

Little guy. He’s ridiculously fast and has no power. Think Joey Gathright. If everything breaks right for him, he could be a really valuable fourth outfield/pinch runner.

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

by Josh Timmers on Apr 21, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

thanks

I appreciate the recaps. First read every morning.

by socalbob on Apr 21, 2010 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Rich Hill's Performance; Snyder's Home Run; Crowd

I was impressed with how well he pitched. He only gave up 2 hits and no earned runs. Both of the runs he gave up were because of a tough error on the Redbirds’ Mark Shorey in right field. Shorey ran a long way to try to catch a ball in right field but dropped it once he got to it. Hill did lose his control in the 7th walking two, IIRC. I believe he had only walked three before the 7th. He’s making progress, but he’s not all the way back by any means. Hill did have good velocity on the ball and struck out six.

Snyder’s home run was a no-doubter to right center field to the left of the pavilion box seats. I see that homer was his 100th in the minors. I don’t know if he should be proud of that or not. I don’t know how the Crash Davis quote goes exactly. It’s something to the effect of “Longevity records in minor league sports are nothing to be proud of”.

I am estimating that there were about 2500 people actually there last night, which is a good turnstile count for a midweek minor league game in April. I am anticipating a much bigger crowd for Friday night. I expect that crowd to rival what the Redbirds normally draw for April and May Saturday games.

I was a little surprised that there were as much Cubs paraphernalia as there was in the crowd for the Tuesday game. There wasn’t all that much of it around the park, but it was noticeable. There should be a lot more of it at AutoZone Park on Friday.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Apr 21, 2010 12:35 PM CDT reply actions