Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 6

Your choice for the number 15 prospect in the Cubs system is catcher Robinson Chirinos. Although he's been in the Cubs system for ten years now, the Cubs seemed to have a reason to keep him around as this season he's absolutely mashing the ball in AA Tennessee to the tune of .314/.402/.559.

So I'm going to replace Chirinos on the list with another catcher, Iowa's Welington Castillo. The I-Cub catcher is 23 years old and  has a strong defensive reputation with a good arm. He's also hitting for great power, with nine home runs this year in only 158 at-bats. He's done everything in Iowa, which unfortunately includes making a lot of outs. The biggest weakness in his game is the ability to hit for average and get on base.  Perhaps his future is as a backup catcher, but he'd be one with good power and a good glove.

Also, please note the Road to Wrigley preview fanpost that I posted. You can put any comments on the game there or here in the minor league wrap today and tomorrow. Wish I could go, but I hope a lot of you go and tell me what happened.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost a double-header to the Albuquerque Isotopes, 6-4 and 5-0 in eight innings.

In the first game, starter Thomas Diamond got roughed up for six runs on nine hits in his six inning start. Diamond walked three and struck out four.

Brad Snyder came up with a three-run pinch hit double with two out in the ninth to make the game somewhat close.

In the second game, Jeff Samardzija started and threw five shutout innings. Samardzija gave up only two hits. He walked one and struck out eight. He was also quite efficient, using only 59 pitches to get through five innings.

John Gaub, however, got hammered in the eighth inning to take the loss. Gaub failed to record an out as he gave up one hit, walked two and hit one batter. All four baserunners would score in the inning.

Brad Snyder's first inning infield single was the only I-Cub hit of the second game.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies were blanked by the Huntsville Stars, 3-0.

Craig Muschko started and pitched five shutout innings. He allowed three hits while walking one and fanning two.

Jeremy Papelbon took the loss in relief. He pitched two innings and allowed a run on three hits. Papelbon didn't walk anyone and fanned one.

Left fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs blasted the Clearwater Threshers out of the water, 11-1.

Chris Rusin had a no-hitter going in the seventh inning before he allowed his first hit tonight. He ended up pitching seven shutout innings and he allowed only the one hit. He did not walk anyone and struck out seven. He did hit a batter and one reach on an error. Rusin improved his record to 3-2.

First baseman Rebel Ridling was 3 for 5 with his sixth home run of the year. Ridling had two RBI and scored three times. Left fielder Smailey Borges hit a solo home run in a 1 for 4 game. It was his fourth for Daytona. Borges was 2 for 4 with two RBI and he scored twice as well. Ridling and Borges home runs were back-to-back in the seventh inning.

DH Ryan Flaherty was 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. Flaherty scored twice. David Macias went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

You probably already heard this from Len and Bob, but Michael Brenly had two doubles in a 2 for 5 game. Brenly had two RBI and scored three times.  I'm tempted to put him on the prospect vote, but I suspect Bob would find a way to vote for him a couple hundred times.

Peoria Chiefs

Rained out. The game will be made up on August 29. Unfortunately, rain is in the forecast for Chicago tomorrow. But you Chicagoans can keep an eye on the skies.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks beat the Spokane Indians, 4-2.

Austin Kirk picked up the win with a five-inning start. Kirk allowed two runs on four hits. He walked one and fanned three.

Corey Martin loaded the bases in the ninth on two hits and a hit batsman, but got a pop out to end the game and collect his seventh save. Martin just pitched the ninth inning and did not have a strikeout.

Right fielder Alvaro Ramirez was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Third baseman George Matheus went 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored once.

Richard Jones hit a solo home run in the eighth inning. Jones was 1 for 4.

AZL Cubs

Did not play.