Cubs Minor League Wrap: Opening Day! April 7.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 7, 2011 10:39 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

It's opening day in the minor league tonight, and the Cubs farm system had a great night. Except for the rain in Peoria, you couldn't have asked for a better start to the season.

I hope I remember how to do this. I'm going to have to do something a little weird tonight because of the happenings down in Peoria.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs game with the Cedar Rapids Kernels was suspended by rain with the score tied 2-2 in the eighth inning. But the big story was the professional debut of last year's first round pick Hayden Simpson. The verdict? So far, so good. Simpson was on a pitch count tonight, but he threw 67 pitches and went 3.2 innings. He gave up one run on a solo home run and allowed three hits total, one of which was a bunt single to lead off the game. Simpson struck out seven Kernels and only walked one. He also induced one ground ball double play. In short, he was impressive.

This game will be finished tomorrow at 5 pm central. I'll do a full write up on the game tomorrow.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs derailed the Round Rock Express, 12-9.

Starter Thomas Diamond allowed two runs on three hits over four innings. Diamond walked three and struck out five. He was pulled after 84 pitches, so I assume that he was on a pitch count, which is common for the first start of the season.

Esmailin Caridad got the win because Diamond didn't go five, but he clearly didn't deserve it. Caridad pitched three innings and allowed five runs on six hits, including a home run. On the plus side, he didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

Scott Maine got the save. He pitched the ninth and allowed one hit. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

DH Ty Wright did a lot of damage, going 3 for 4 with a two-run home run in the second inning. Wright scored twice and had three total RBI.

First baseman Bryan LaHair followed that up with a two-run homer in the third inning. LaHair went 1 for 4 with a sac fly for three total RBI.

Second baseman Bobby Scales was 3 for 5 with two doubles and two runs scored. Left fielder Lou Montanez hit two triples in a 3 for 5 effort. Montanez scored twice and had three RBI.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4. He scored once and batted two in. Center fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 5 and scored a run.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts, 12-4.

Starting pitcher Chris Rusin turned in a solid five innings to get the win. He allowed three runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out four. He also had an RBI single.

Blake Parker threw two shutout innings of relief to close out the game in a non-save situation. He allowed one hit and a walk while striking out two.

Two Smokies homered tonight. The first was right fielder Matt Spencer, who hit a solo homer in the third inning. Spencer went 3 for 5 and also doubled. He scored twice.

The other home run was also a solo shot in the eighth inning by first baseman Rebel Ridling. Ridling went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored twice and had two RBI.

Center fielder Brett Jackson went 2 for 4 with a triple and two walks. Jackson scored once and had two RBI. Third baseman Josh Vitters went 3 for 5 with a double. Vitters scored twice.

Catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 5 with a double. He scored twice and had two RBI. Ryan Flaherty played left field tonight and was 2 for 3 with a walk and two RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs harpooned the Brevard County Manatees, 3-2.

Robert Whitenack got the Cubs off to a good start by tossing five inning and allowing only two runs on five hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out three. Whitenack had eight ground outs to two fly outs, which is what he needs to be effective.

Jeffry Lorick got the win with two shutout innings of relief. He allowed only one hit and walked no one. He struck out two.

Frank Batista pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save. He fanned two.

The D-Cubs took the lead for good with a two-run double in the seventh inning by third baseman Matt Cerda. Cerda was 3 for 5 tonight.

Second baseman Logan Watkins went 2 for 4 with a walk. Shortstop Junior Lake was 2 for 4. Both Watkins and Lake scored on Cerda's double.

Left fielder Michael Burgess was 1 for 4 with a solo home run. Apparently it was a monster bomb that cleared the right field fence by 40 feet.

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Comments

hey, good news!

it was nice to scan these box scores tonight after a couple bad Cubs days.

by PrincetonCubs on Apr 7, 2011 10:46 PM CDT reply actions

+1

Could not agree more. We’ve had a rough week.

by jackweiland on Apr 8, 2011 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions

I missed these wraps

I never commented too much last season but definitely read them. Good to see your punny lines back, Josh.

I’m kind of excited for this performance by Simpson, but only time will tell just how good he’ll turn out. It seems like most if not all our top prospects had pretty good days!

A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!!
GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!

by Azul Cachorro on Apr 7, 2011 10:48 PM CDT reply actions

Great to see Simpson pitch well

If he keeps this up, he might be on the fast-track. He’s supposed to be fairly polished, right?

Also good to see Vitters get off to a good start. I’m still optimistic that he can get it figured out.

by JSB on Apr 7, 2011 10:55 PM CDT reply actions

Sure

He’s next in line if Coleman or Diamond falter.

(Not to be taken seriously.)

by Josh Timmers on Apr 7, 2011 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Ha

But, seriously. Could we see him at the end of 2012 possibly?

by JSB on Apr 7, 2011 11:46 PM CDT up reply actions

It's funny

because during the rain delay, I was listening to a taped interview than Nathan Baliva did with Kevin Goldstein from Baseball Prospectus and he said the number one question he gets is “Will so-and-so be up this year.” And sure enough, as I was listening to the interview, a Yankee fan tweeted him about Gary Sanchez being getting the call to NY this year, despite never having played in above the New York-Penn League before tonight.

I couldn’t help but think of that when you asked that question.

We really don’t know enough about Hayden Simpson yet to answer that question. My preference would be to not rush him, but we’ll have to see how he pitches this season before we know.

The scary thing about tonight’s performance is that in an interview he did with a Peoria TV station earlier this week, he admitted he’s not all the way back from mono. He’s still down several pounds from last June.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 8, 2011 12:59 AM CDT up reply actions

What happens when he is back to 100% ...

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Apr 8, 2011 2:27 AM CDT up reply actions

hopefully

more efficient innings. (Hey, I’m reaching for some kind of constructive criticism after this deluge of positivity. Deal with it.)

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Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2011 4:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

the weight loss is the reason I’m not going to expect Simpson to light the world on fire right away this season (although that was a pretty good debut last night). I don’t like seeing a HR given up, though. The MWL isn’t exactly a HR-heavy league, so Simpson’s ability (or lack thereof) to keep the ball in the park will be interesting to follow.

by RynoRooter on Apr 8, 2011 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not worried about he HR

He made a mistake on a 3-2 pitch to Brandon Decker, a 23 year old who slugged .653 in the Pioneer League last season.

That stuff happens.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 8, 2011 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

by PrincetonCubs on Apr 8, 2011 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Don't get me wrong

I am not worried about anything with Simpson right now. He’s not even 100%, it would be stupid of me to base anything off his performance right now. I just wanted to point out that the number of HRs he gives up will be interesting to follow. He throws a pretty straight FB that he elevated a lot in college. He won’t be able to do that in pro ball. Hopefully he makes adjustments, which it sounds like he did yesterday by only giving up 2 hits that were hit hard.

by RynoRooter on Apr 8, 2011 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Thomas Diamond

Will start Tuesday in Houston

by bersantarem on Apr 7, 2011 11:01 PM CDT reply actions

Which would also explain his pitch count

tonight, although I doubt he’d go deep anyway.

Sounds like Iowa is going to have to use my idea to raffle off a start to a lucky fan in the stands.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 7, 2011 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

And you know this how?

Check out Chicago sports coverage at SB Nation Chicago

by Al Yellon on Apr 8, 2011 7:26 AM CDT up reply actions

He would be on track to do so.

And I think it would be the right call. The thought of James Russell facing the Astros right-heavy lineup doesn’t thrill me.

Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!

by daver on Apr 8, 2011 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Burgess, Spencer, and Ridling

Along with Bour, they’re my power hitter picks. Glad to see 3 of them are already one home run into their seasons.

by Mulhollandmania on Apr 7, 2011 11:09 PM CDT reply actions

Awesome opening start by Cubs farmhands

The last couple seasons the only thing to look forward each day was the minors report since the big league team was so frustrating. Hopefully this year both will be good!!!

As usual thanks so much Josh for this and all the team writeups!

by CA Cub Fan on Apr 7, 2011 11:12 PM CDT reply actions

Simpson

I’d love to hear first-hand accounts on how he looked. We’ve read so many scouting reports and articles on the guy since he was drafted; now we finally can get a first-hand read on him!

by Outshined_One on Apr 7, 2011 11:32 PM CDT reply actions

+1

Must get to know Simpson the pitching prospect.

by SenorGato on Apr 8, 2011 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Same

What kind of stuff was he throwing?

by jackweiland on Apr 8, 2011 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Heat with a nasty curve ball

That’s what I got from the radio broadcast.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 8, 2011 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Word from Kevin Goldstein

Simpson was hitting 94 on the gun last night. Considering the conditions and his conditions, that’s really impressive.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 8, 2011 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah it is.

I would assume since he was hitting 94, that he was sitting 91-92 ish. Very good considering the cold/rain/weight loss.

by RynoRooter on Apr 8, 2011 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

He's still not back to full strength

So I would imagine his velocity is still behind a little. A report had Simpson 90-91 in his last workout in ST. Apparently his breaker was working, though.

by RynoRooter on Apr 8, 2011 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions

That's a bigger deal

No matter how hard you throw, it’s hard to get the ball past MLB hitters unless they have to be looking for something else.

by ClarkFan on Apr 8, 2011 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Big Cubs need to learn from little Cubs - Minor leagues are looking good for us.

In a couple years we are, I hope, going to being reaping the dividends big time.

Thank you Josh for making my morning a little better.

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Apr 8, 2011 2:26 AM CDT reply actions

Offense much?

I know it’s only one day, but I love the crooked numbahs.

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Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Apr 8, 2011 4:48 AM CDT reply actions

Justin Miller for Chattanooga

1 IP 7 H 7 ER 63.00 ERA.

And the guy the Smokies got it going against, Cory Withrow is a Top Ten Dodgers prospect. 4 IP 8 H 3 W 5 ER 1 HR

by timh815 on Apr 8, 2011 8:18 AM CDT reply actions

That was nice to see

Chris Withrow is a solid prospect, and everyone other than LeMahieu got the best of him.

by RynoRooter on Apr 8, 2011 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Rest of Peoria

I listened to as much of the game as I could and I was impressed by Rubi Silva. Yeah, it was only one game, but he took a walk (something that is a huge question mark with him), hit a single, and scored from 1st on a double. The kid’s wheels are definately as good as advertised.

Eric Jokisch had a good outing as well, which I’m sure Josh77 will expound on tonight or tomorrow.

What didn’t impress me was Micah Gibbs. The fact that he was 0-4 at the plate wasn’t a shocker, but the fact that Cedar Rapids was 3 for 3 in SB attempts against him was. Only one of his throws was even close, according to the play-by-play announcer, and one even sailed into CF. Terrible start for the kid.

by RynoRooter on Apr 8, 2011 9:18 AM CDT reply actions

Hate to overreact one way or another to one game

but I don’t disagree with anything you wrote here.

Jokisch is from Central Illinois, which I’m sure was why he got piggybacked with Simpson on Opening Day.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 8, 2011 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Silva also had/has

an outfield assist already.

by timh815 on Apr 8, 2011 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Love this!

Always interested to see how the kids and Scales are doing :) One thing that would be handy as I know little about other teams farm system would be to have the major league team affiliated with the opposition somewhere in the post. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

"OFFENCE IS TO WEAK"
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/2/24/2014183/cubs-mediocre-in-11

by mrtobby on Apr 8, 2011 11:24 AM CDT reply actions

Let's see

Round Rock is the Rangers, Chattanooga is the Dodgers, Brevard County is the Brewers and Cedar Rapids are the Angels.

I don’t know that I want to do that on a daily basis, but I could mention the opposing affiliation more than I currently do. Especially early in the season when several affiliations have changed.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 8, 2011 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions