Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 18

by Josh Timmers on Aug 19, 2010 2:27 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

A day late and a dollar short.

There was a massive miscommunication between my wife and AT&T. I don't know who's fault it is, but I'm going to blame AT&T for the sake of my marriage. The upshot is that I'm not going to have internet service at my new house until Wednesday.

I can come into my wife's school and do the wrap for tonight tomorrow morning. I don't know what I'm going to do Saturday or Sunday, but I should be able to come in on Monday and Tuesday.

I want to start a campaign for for Hak-Ju Lee to wear #25 so my Cubs road jersey will be up-to-date again.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Sacramento River Cats, 4-2.

Starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx went six innings and allowed four runs on ten hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Second baseman Jonathon Mota was 2 for 3 with his first AAA home run.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies fell to the Mississippi Braves, 7-6 in ten innings.

Chris Carpenter started and pitched very well for seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

Luke Sommer took the loss in relief. Sommer pitched the ninth and then started the tenth inning but failed to retire a batter. Sommer pitched 1+ innings and gave up a run on four hits. He struck out one.

Left fielder Brandon Guyer remained the hottest player in the Cubs system in the second half. Guyer was 2 for 5 with his 12th home run of the year. a two-run shot off of Braves uberprospect Julio Teheran. Guyer also walked once and stole his 22nd base of the season.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs downed the Dunedin Blue Jays, 9-3.

Trey McNutt dominated the Blue Jays tonight, throwing six shutout innings and allowing only a single. He didn't walk anyone and struck out four as improved his overall record on the season to 10-0.

Third baseman Ryan Flaherty clubbed out his ninth home run of the season in the ninth inning. It was a two-run home run. Flaherty was 4 for 5 with a double and the home run. He scored twice and had three RBI.

Second baseman DJ LeMahieu was 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored three times. First baseman Rebel Ridling went 4 for 5 with a double. He had one RBI and scored once.

Catcher Mark Reed and left fielder Greg Rohan were both 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs beat the Burlington Bees, 5-2.

Nick Struck got the win with five innings of relief of starter Marcus Hatley, who is on a low pitch count. Struck allowed two runs on four hits but mostly, it was that one two-run homer that did the damage. Struck commanded the strike zone, striking out nine and walking no one.

Yoahn Gonzalez got the save with two shutout innings of relief. Gonzalez allowed one hit. He neither walked nor struck anyone out.

Left fielder Nelson Perez hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, his ninth of the season. Perez was 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice.

Second baseman Logan Watkins went 3 for 4 with a walk and three RBI. Center fielder Anthony Giansanti went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He had one RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks came out on top against the Everett AquaSox, 4-1.

Starting pitcher Austin Kirk got the win, allowing the one run on four hits over five innings. Kirk didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

Aaron Kurcz pitched the ninth and got his sixth save. He didn't give up a hit, but walked one and struck out one.

The Hawks hit three solo home runs last night. The first was by first baseman Ryan Cuneo, who also had a double in a 2 for 4 game.

The second home run was two batters later by catcher Jeff Vigurs. Vigurs was 1 for 4. In the fifth inning, DH Richard Jones hit his fifth for Boise. Jones went 2 for 4 with two RBI.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Padres, 8-1.

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

PS

I’m fine with Tyler Colvin playing first base to finish out a lost season. But if he’s playing first base in April, I’m going to spend all of 2011 banging my head against my kitchen table, because that would be more fun.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 19, 2010 2:35 PM CDT reply actions

I'm hoping

this is just a way to have some depth at the position until they can bring up Hoffpauir (who was sent down too recently to be recalled). Also, it may give the Cubs some negotiating room with clubs for potential trades for first-basemen. Hendry can claim that Colvin is an in-house option, even though we hope he isn’t used that way.

Somebody take Aramis' bat off the restricted list, please.

by cubzfan on Aug 19, 2010 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I disagree

Colvin has hit less than .200 in the past month or so. He has made a few bad plays in the outfield. Adding learning a new position when he isn’t a long term option there just seems a little too much.

It is his rookie year so let him finish strong. I’m still not convinced he is a major league regular but if the season is shot, why fool around with him?

John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.

by rlpete on Aug 19, 2010 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions

There is that

You’ve got a point there, but I don’t think Colvin is the type of guy who takes his defense to the plate. Maybe the other way around.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 19, 2010 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I am with you on this one.

Colvin needs to stay in the OF for now.

by Grockcubs on Aug 19, 2010 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Seems fairly likely the Cubs will chase Dunn, which would make this a non-issue.

That said, if they aren’t willing to try Soriano at 1B and can’t move Kosuke, then it makes sense to at least cross-train Colvin at 1B just to get your better players on the field.

So, the idea of Colvin being the primary 1B for 2011, with an eye on a bigger bat for 2012 and beyond, doesn’t bother me that much. Then in 2012 you’d have your FA 1B, Dome’s salary off the book, and Byrd in his last year (or moved), allowing Colvin and hopefully Jackson to roam the OF.

Shut up Joe Morgan.

by fsuapollo on Aug 20, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions

It's ATT

I had the same thing happen to me when I moved. ATT is famous for promising a date for service, and then denying that they said it.

Where is Mick Kelleher when we need him?

by 3744nsheffield on Aug 19, 2010 3:03 PM CDT reply actions

The issue here

was that they sent my wife an email telling her that they needed more information before they could set up service, but by that time, we had already taken down the computer. Of course they had previously sent my wife an email that said everything was set to go, so she just took that first email and assumed everything was fine. My wife could have checked her email in the hotel, though, but she didn’t.

Still, I’m blaming AT&T for everything.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 19, 2010 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions

It wouldn't have made any difference

ATT told us they would have someone at the house the day we moved in. When they didn’t show up, we called, and the guy on the phone accused me of lying. It took them a week to send someone out.

I now use Clear, which is about the same price and never goes down. I’m in Dallas, and ATT used to go down once every four to six weeks, like clockwork. The failure was my reliable than the service.

Where is Mick Kelleher when we need him?

by 3744nsheffield on Aug 19, 2010 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions

When I moved out to LA

AT&T said I would have next day installation. Hours on the phone later, about $500 of credits and services, and a MONTH later I FINALLY had cable/internet. And they constantly lied to me about people showing up and saying no one was home. The people on the phone lines would say anything to get me off the line and hold no one accountable.

Worst customer service ever. I am now with Time Warner and still wishing I could get satellite reception in my apartment.

by gizmo6d9 on Aug 19, 2010 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry

They GAVE me $500 in credits and services.

by gizmo6d9 on Aug 19, 2010 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Brett Jackson

was 1 for 1 and stole his 14th base of the year. I’m suprised you didn’t comment on any of the prospects.

by Ryno G on Aug 19, 2010 3:39 PM CDT reply actions

Be surprised

that I managed to do a wrap at all.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 20, 2010 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Brandon Guyer

Where does Brandon Guyer fit in the organizational scheme? He really looks like he’s having a break out season, where everything is clicking offensively. I realize he’s a 24 year old in AA, but the numbers are still impressive despite only playing in 84 games this season: 332/384/582; 21/46 BB/KK; 12 HR, 28 2B, and 22 SB in 304 ABs. He’s only been caught stealing twice and seems to have a good career SB percentage. We could use a guy like that at the top of the lineup. I’ve never really noticed him before, but does he at all have a chance at an MLB career?

by Bradsbeard on Aug 19, 2010 4:49 PM CDT reply actions

Nevermind

I found Josh’s comments from a week ago on Guyer. Appears to be too far down the talent chart because of age, and he’s blocked for awhile at the MLB level. Maybe he’d be a good trade candidate.

by Bradsbeard on Aug 19, 2010 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

A year ago

He was a rising prospect. Then he had a lousy season last year and a bad first half this season. Since July 1st, he’s been awesome. If he continues this back into next season, he can be a good prospect again.

I’ve always compared him to Aaron Rowand. That would be his absolute ceiling.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 20, 2010 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

If anyone wants to do the wrap on days Josh can't...

… I will move it to the front page in the morning. Just arrange it between you & Josh and post it as a FanPost.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Aug 19, 2010 5:34 PM CDT reply actions

Well I kinda felt like the

fat, ugly girl on a blind date when I did it the other day, so I just waited til Josh got his report up. LOL.

Maybe next year is finally our year.

by Unique on Aug 19, 2010 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll do it

if you need me to.

by Ryno G on Aug 19, 2010 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I sent you an email

The job’s yours.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 20, 2010 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm leaving the 8/19 wrap in the fanpost section...

… since it’s almost 24 hours old.

However, if Ryno G posts the 8/20 wrap overnight, I will move it to the front page first thing in the morning.

Thanks for taking over!

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2010 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Digging deeper into Carpenter's numbers last night

He threw only 89 pitches, 62 of them strikes. He also had 14 groundouts compared to only 4 fly balls. His recent GO/AO ratio is 2.26

If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.

by tharr on Aug 20, 2010 4:11 AM CDT reply actions

i've been quietly really excited about Carpenter

i was actually going to put together a big comment on it, but then when looking through the data i realized all the things i was complimenting Carpenter for Rusin was doing even better and I was perhaps so focused on my excitement for Carpenter that i’ve scanned over how great Rusin has been

follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 20, 2010 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions

I love Rusin

I’ve been hearing good things about him from inside the organization, too.

There’s nothing wrong with Carpenter though. I can see him as a solid mid-rotation starter as early as next season.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 20, 2010 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

A B-D

Saw him pitch in Des Moines. I didn’t see much that makes me think he’ll be effective at the MLB level. Stuff isn’t overwhelming, and he gives up a lot of hits. The bat seems to find the ball when he pitches.

by Nibbles on Aug 20, 2010 9:44 AM CDT reply actions