Cubs Minor League Wrap: April 22

by Josh Timmers on Apr 22, 2011 11:20 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost the Albuquerque Isotopes in the fog, 7-2. Literally. The game was called after six innings with the Cubs leading 7-2.

J.R. Mathes went the full six innings to get his first win of the season. Mathes allowed the two runs on four hits, including a solo home run. Mathes didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

Speedy center fielder Tony Campana went 4 for 4 with a triple and a stolen base. He scored three times and had one RBI.

Right fielder Brad Snyder went 2 for 4 with a double. He scored once and had two RBI. Third baseman Scott Moore was 2 for 3.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies skinned the Carolina Mudcats, 5-4.

Alberto Cabrera improved his record to 2-0 by going six inning and giving up four runs on six hits. He only walked one and he struck out five.

David Cales got three ground outs in a perfect ninth inning for his sixth save.

First baseman Rebel Ridling was 3 for 4 with his second home run of the season. It was a solo shot in the fifth inning. Ridling had two total RBI.

Center fielder James Adduci had a perfect night, going 3 for 3 with two walks. He stole two bases and scored once.

Left fielder Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 5 with a double. He had one RBI and he scored twice.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs taunted the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 3-1.

Robert Whitenack has emerged as the ace for the D-Cubs, and he put up his best tonight. Whitenack retired the first 15 batters that he faced tonight until giving up a leadoff infield single in the sixth inning that could have been called an error. The next hitter hit a legit double that scored Lakeland's only run. Overall, Whitenack pitched six full innings and gave up one run on two hits. He did not walk anyone and he struck out seven.

So far this season, Whitenack is 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA. In the 23 innings he's pitched, he's struck out 25 batters and walked only one. Just remember, that's still a small sample size. It's still cool to see, however

Frank Batista got his fourth save of the season with a scoreless ninth. He had one strikeout and he gave up a harmless two-out single.

DH Matt Cerda broke the tie in the top of the seventh inning with a two-run single. Cerda was 1 for 3 with two walks.

SS Junior Lake went 3 for 5 and scored a run. First baseman Justin Bour was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Third baseman Jake Opitz was 2 for 3 with a walk and run scored.

Peoria Chiefs

Rained out. Double-header tomorrow.

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Whitenack

Has emerged as a serious prospect and if he keeps this up maybe even top 10.

by Ryno G on Apr 23, 2011 12:10 AM CDT reply actions

It's a little too early to say that

but he has been a very pleasant surprise. He’s got that nasty knuckle-curve, which is a pitch that’s been close to dead. I’m not talking about the knuckle-curve that Cliff Lee or Dan Haren throw, but the real one that Burt Hooten used to throw. I guess Isringhausen throws one, but that’s been about it.

I’m not sure the rest of his repertoire matches the knuckle-curve, which might limit his upside. But it’s clear that he can get it over the plate and that hitters in high-A can’t hit it.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 23, 2011 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions

His FB is 92 early

Third time through the lineup, it’s 90.

by timh815 on Apr 23, 2011 5:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Iowa-Chicago Shuttle

After Stevens’ brutal performance today, can we assume he’s headed back to Iowa? If so, do you guys think Carp finally gets a shot in the pen? I’m guessing they’ll probably bring Maine up but a roster move is imminent after Stevens threw 90 pitches today.

by Mmurton on Apr 23, 2011 12:31 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

It was brutal

But I don’t think he should be blamed from pitch 50 onward. He has never thrown more than 45 in a game, and it was pretty irresponsible to let him throw 90. All this talk of pitch counts for Russell during his starts, and they let Stevens throw 90 when he’s been the last guy in the pen, and this year I don’t think has gone over 30 pitches. Really, Cubs?

by Mulhollandmania on Apr 23, 2011 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I worry about a injury for Stevens also.

89 pitches is alot over 3.1 innings for someone who hasn’t started. It was pretty irresponsible.

Tyler Andrew Davis - Born 4.5.11
A Cub fan forever more... just like his dad.

by Unique on Apr 23, 2011 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions

I was never a big fan of Stevens

but it’s just another short sided plan that fell flat on its face. And when I hear Quade still supposedly considering Russell for another round of batting practice, I have to question if anyone gets it.

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

by tharr on Apr 23, 2011 3:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Ya its too bad that they cant see

he’s not a starter…so far this year he has given up 9 runs – 8 earned – and they ALL have come in his starts

by hansman1982 on Apr 23, 2011 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions

wow our minor leaguers and

Major leaguers should switch places minus a small handful. Great to see our farm system kicking butt!

by bleedinblue76 on Apr 23, 2011 8:31 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Junior Lake

I really like the kid, but his OBP (.276) is currently lower than his Batting Avg. (.281). I haven’t figured the math to know how exactly that is even possible (I’m assuming sac flies) but I do know that one part of the problem is 0 walks so far.

Otherwise, it’s nice that he is 3 for 4 on stolen bases after having a fairly bad CS percentage last year.

by Bradsbeard on Apr 23, 2011 9:02 AM CDT reply actions

correct that it is due to lack of walks

since OBP is calculated from the PA and not the AB’s…

by hansman1982 on Apr 23, 2011 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I was trying to think off the top of my head

how you could get a PA without a walk or a hit. Having thought a little longer, obviously sac flies, HBP, and reached on error would all count as PAs but not ABs.

Aside from the low OBP, the 15-0 Strikeout to Walk ratio is also pretty brutal.

by Bradsbeard on Apr 23, 2011 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Errors count as ABs

It’s the sac flies that are doing it. HBP are treated like walks.

Lake has also made 8 errors in 14 games. There have been a few more that could have been called errors too. And you can’t even blame the fields because this is the Florida State League.

I always need to mention on Lake that three years ago, he and Starlin Castro were mentioned in the same breath.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 23, 2011 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Should have just gone with my gut, I had it right the first time

How soon does Lake get moved to 3B or OF full time?

by Bradsbeard on Apr 23, 2011 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions

With the usual caveats that

I really don’t know, I suspect he’ll stay at SS for a while. It’s the position he has the most value at, for one, and two, the D-Cubs don’t really have another SS. They seem reluctant to move Logan Watkins back there and since Watkins is struggling with the bat, I suspect they don’t want to add to the things he needs to worry about.

And since there isn’t a SS in Peoria who looks like he’s going to demand a promotion any time soon, I suspect Lake will be at SS all season. His long term position is probably 3B, but even that might be an adventure.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 23, 2011 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions