Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 17

by Josh Timmers on Jun 17, 2010 11:40 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

I had to watch the game on the Athletics telecast, but I'm sure the Cub fans at Wrigley gave a warm welcome to Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers.

In case you missed it, the Cubs came to terms with Hayden Simpson today.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were too slow for the Round Rock Express, 6-5.

Jay Jackson had a rough start tonight, going only four innings and allowing all six runs on eight hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out two. He was 2 for 2 at the plate.

Catcher Welington Castillo hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, his seventh of the season. Castillo was 2 for 3 and he also had a double.

Left fielder Bryan LaHair had a double in a 2 for 4 game. He scored once and knocked one in.

Iowa's record is 35-31 and in third place. All four teams in the PCL American North Division are within two games of each other.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were mauled by the Mobile Bay Bears, 12-6.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx got batted around for seven runs in only 3.1 innings. He gave up eight hits, including two home runs. Bibens-Dirkx walked two and struck out two.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Left fielder Ty Wright was 2 for 4 with a walk. He also scored once.

Second baseman Tony Thomas had two doubles in a 2 for 5 game. Thomas had one RBI. Josh Vitters was 1 for 3 with a walk.

The good news was that West Tennessee also lost, so the Smokies keep a two game lead in the division with three games left to play.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were done in by the Dunedin Blue Jays, 6-4.

Rafael Dolis started and allowed three runs on four hits over five innings. Dolis walked two and struck out five.

David Patton got the loss in relief. Patton allowed three runs on two hits and three walks in 1.1 innings of work. One of the runs he allowed was unearned. Patton struck out one.

Both third baseman Ryan Flaherty and first baseman Rebel Ridling were 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI.

DH Kyler Burke was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Catcher Mark Reed went 2 for 3 with a walk.

Peoria Chiefs

Had the night off. Aramis Ramirez will rehab in Peoria this weekend.

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Comments

How often, roughly

do Cubs minor league teams win the first half title? With four teams qualifying, and 4-8 teams in a division, the par would be once every other year. I would guess it’s usually far less than that.

by timh815 on Jun 18, 2010 1:34 AM CDT reply actions

The Cubs

are more aggressive with their promotions than some teams, so they don’t win a lot of titles, especially in the first half.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 18, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

How much of that stems from needing to plug holes at the majors?

by Flatley on Jun 18, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Sure, if the Cubs left Castro and Cashner down in the minors, the Smokies would be running away with the division, but I think that even if they didn’t call them up to the majors, they’d have promoted them to Iowa. (Cashner they did in fact promote to Iowa.)

The organizations that win a lot of minor league titles are the ones that make a decision at the start of the year that a certain group of players are going to stay at a level and play together all season long. They might make an exception here and there when injuries occur, but for the most part stick to the plan.

Then there is the Athletics, who win a lot of minor league titles because they’re always trading their major league players for good prospects. Sacramento wins every year because Billy Beane always trades for a bunch of prospects who are just on the verge of making the majors and the A’s stash them in Sacto.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 18, 2010 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Scuse my ignorance, but Simpson signing quickly was expected wasn't it Josh?

Not a good night for Jay Jackson. He sure got run over by the express. Let’s hope he turns that around next time.

What’s the deal with the Bears mauling our junior Cubs? Isn’t that against nature? Now I know why animals eat their young…Bad night all around for the minors system.

I feel for Aramis, been to Peoria a number of times and there isn’t much to do there for sure. Too bad he didn’t go to Daytona, at least he might have spent more time working on his timing there. Two days is gonna go by awfully fast. Let’s hope he’s used as a DH while we have it.

"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach

by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 18, 2010 7:22 AM CDT reply actions

Jackson hit two batters in the first inning

His control was just way off for that inning, then he settled down a bit.

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

by cubzfan on Jun 18, 2010 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes

and Simpson did sign for about $400k under slot—the recommended bonus figure given by the commissioner’s office.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 18, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Is Wellington Castillo's

ceiling at AAA? potential trade piece for a team that doesnt have a young catcher?

Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119

by hansman1982 on Jun 18, 2010 11:11 AM CDT reply actions

I think he's a little better than

a AAA player, at least in his ceiling. He’s supposedly pretty good behind the plate and he’s developing some power over the past two seasons. He’s also still only 23 years old.

But I do question his ability to get on base. He strikes out a lot too, enough to be a warning sign although not enough to dismiss him. It’s possible he develops some OBP skills and turns into a starter, but right now he projects at best as a backup in the majors.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 18, 2010 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

so potential trade bait

to be thrown in with a Theriot/Fukudome trade…at least that is how I would angle him since Soto appears to be doing well and we have a good backup in Hill…both fairly young.

Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119

by hansman1982 on Jun 18, 2010 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions