Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 9

Your choice for the Cubs Number 18 prospect is Iowa Cubs catcher Welington Castillo. The 23 year old Castillo has a good arm behind the plate and has shown some very good power over the past two seasons. He certainly could have at least a future as a solid major league backup catcher and if he could hit for a higher average, he could be a bit better than that.

So replacing him on the list is a native Chicagoan who has been impressive as the closer for Tennessee this season, David Cales.  Cales has shown excellent control down in the minors, walking only 12 batters in 46 innings of AA this year. He went 4-1 with a 2.51 ERA and 10 saves for the Smokies this season which earned him a promotion to Iowa a couple of days ago.  His mother works for the White Sox, so I'm betting she has some interesting discussions at work.  Don't hold it against him.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs split a double-header with the New Orleans Zephyrs, losing the first 6-3 and taking the second game 6-1.

In the first game, Hung-Wen Chen started and had a bad case of gopheritis. Chen lasted 4+ innings and gave up five runs on eight hits. Three of the eight hits were solo home runs. Chen walked two and struck out four. One of the five runs he allowed was unearned.

Sam Fuld hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his third of the year. Fuld went 3 for 4 with just the one run and RBI.  Left fielder Bryan LaHair also hit a solo home run, his tenth. LaHair was 1 for 2.

Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 4.

In game two, two pitchers making their AAA debut on the season shut down the Zephyrs. Starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx allowed only one run on a solo home run over five innings for his first career AAA win. Bibens-Dirkx gave up four hits total. He walked one and struck out four.  Bibens-Dirkx last pitched in the PCL for Tacoma for all of two innings in 2006.

David Cales responded to his promotion with two perfect innings of relief to close out the game. He struck out one. Cales had one appearance for Iowa last season.

Left fielder Ty Wright was 3 for 4 with two doubles. Wright scored twice. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Wright stole two bases as well. Catcher Welington Castillo had a double in a 2 for 3 night. He also scored once and had one RBI.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were blinded by the Jacksonville Suns, 7-6.

Jeremy Papelbon got a start since two members of the rotation got promoted to Iowa, and he got knocked around to the tune of four runs on six hits over four innings. One of the four runs was unearned. Papelbon didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

Third baseman Josh Vitters hit his fifth home run for the Smokies, a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Vitters went 1 for 4 with the two RBI. He also scored twice.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos also hit a two-run home run, his tenth of the season. Chirinos also doubled in a 2 for 4 night. Chirinos scored the one time and had three RBI.

Russell Canzler went 2 for 4 with a triple. Canzler scored twice. Center fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 5. Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Daytona Cubs

Rebel Ridling hit a two-run walkoff home run as the D-Cubs trumped the Tampa Yankees, 7-6.

Trey McNutt had a rough start. He only allowed four hits over 5.2 innings, but three of the hits were solo home runs. McNutt allowed four runs total. He walked one and fanned five.

Mike Perconte allowed two unearned runs in the top of the ninth, but got the win when the Cubs came back in the bottom of the inning. Perconte pitched two innings and allowed two hits and a walk. He struck out one.

Ridling actually had two home runs tonight, as he had earlier hit a solo blast in the second inning. Ridling was 2 for 3 with four RBI. Ridling now has eight home runs this season.

Third baseman Jake Opitz hit a solo home run back-to-back with Ridling's first homer. It was Opitz's first home run this season. Opitz was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were devoured by the Kane County Cougars, 4-3.

Starter Nick Struck pitched well, giving up only one run over six innings. Struck allowed four hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out two.

Corey Martin blew his first save for Peoria in the top of the ninth, however. Martin pitched the ninth and allowed three runs on five hits. He was unable to walk anyone (yes, that's correct) and struck out one. The go-ahead run in the top of the ninth scored when Martin threw a wild pitch during an intentional walk. He then struck out that batter.

Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks beat the Eugene Emeralds, 9-6.

Starter John Mincone pitched 4.2 innings and allowed five unearned runs in the fifth inning before getting pulled. Mincone gave up six hits total. He struck out three and didn't walk anyone.

Brett Ebinger relieved Mincone and collected the win. He allowed one run on four hits over 2.2 innings. Ebinger walked two and struck out one.

Daniel Keefe entered the game with two on and no outs in the ninth and proceeded to strike the next three batters to end the game and get his first one.

Right fielder Alvaro Ramirez was 3 for 5 with a triple. Ramirez scored once and had three RBI. Third baseman Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored twice and batted one in.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Giants, 9-8 in ten innings.

Shortstop Dustin Harrington was 3 for 5 with a grand slam home run. He also doubled.