Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 22

by Josh Timmers on May 22, 2011 7:50 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

We're seeing this a lot in the Cubs minor leagues lately.

The wins just keep coming down on the farm. The Smokies won their sixth straight game, the Daytona Cubs won their fifth straight game and the Chiefs won their fourth straight. Daytona has a ridiculous best-in-baseball record of 32-12. Iowa wasn't able to keep up the streak, though.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got slammed by the Tucson Padres, 16-7.

Randy Wells got hit hard in his rehab start as he was tagged for seven runs on six hits and three walks over four innings. Wells walked three. He threw 68 pitches, 43 for strikes.

Thomas Diamond got lit up for five runs over four innings and Jeff Stevens allowed four Padres to score in the one inning he pitched.

Shortstop Jonathan Mota hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning. It was his second homer this season. Mota was 1 for 3 on the day.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin was 3 for 5 with a double and a triple. He scored once and had an RBI. Left fielder Brad Snyder went 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI.

Center fielder Lou Montanez went 2 for 5 and scored three times. Catcher Chris Robinson was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies extended their winning streak to six games with a 4-2 win over the Mobile Bay Bears (Diamondbacks).

Robert Whitenack pitched the first five innings and gave up two runs on a homer in the fifth inning, but nothing else. He went five innings and allowed the two runs on eight hits. He walked three and struck out three.

Kevin Rhoderick got the win in relief. He pitched two innings and did not allow a hit or a run. He did walk three (one intentionally) and struck out three.

Rafael Dolis threw a perfect ninth inning. All three outs were infield ground outs.

Ryan Flaherty hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning to give the Smokies a lead they would never relinquish. It was his tenth home run on the year. Overall, Flaherty went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Third baseman D.J. LeMahieu had three singles in a 3 for 4 day. He scored once and had one RBI. First baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 3.

Daytona Cubs

The Cubs met and defeated the St. Lucie Mets, 8-4.

Jeffrey Lorick started for the D-Cubs and he pitched 5.2 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. One of the four runs was unearned. Lorick walked two and struck out four. Lorick improved his record to 3-1.

Ryan Buchter pitched the final two innings for his first save. He allowed two hits but no runs. Buchter struck out four and didn't walk anyone.

Shortstop Junior Lake hit his fourth home run in the fifth inning tonight. It was a solo home run. Overall, Lake was 3 for 5 with a double, the home run and a stolen base. He scored three times and had two RBI.

Center fielder Evan Crawford also had a big evening, going 4 for 5 with a double and a steal. Crawford scored twice and had one RBI.

Second baseman Logan Watkins was 2 for 4 with a steal and a run scored. Third baseman Matt Cerda was 2 for 5 and scored twice.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs buzz-sawed the Clinton LumberKings (Mariners), 8-3.

Austin Kirk improved his record to 3-1 by allowing three runs on eight hits over six innings. Kirk only walked one and he struck out six.

DH Ryan Cuneo hit his first home run of the season in the fourth inning with a man on. Cuneo went 1 for 4. First baseman Richard Jones also homered in the seventh inning. The solo home run was his seventh this year. Jones was 1 for 4.

Center fielder Matt Szczur returned to the lineup today and was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He had two RBI.

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Comments

Vitters keeping it up...

Up to .265/.303/.435 with 5 HRs and 10 2Bs.

LeMahieu continues his singles hitting ways….

I have to throw this in because I’m irate: The great Thomas Diamond was available to pitch today. He literally could have thrown 100 pitches or maybe even 6 innings…instead….oh instead…takes glasses off dramatically and palms face

by SenorGato on May 22, 2011 7:58 PM CDT reply actions

LeMahieu has 13 doubles and has a 10:19 BB/K ratio.

He’s hitting damn near .370. Singles or not, the man can hit.

"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"

by Unique on May 22, 2011 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions

You're talking to the guy who was hyping LeMahieu since I've been here.

I just felt like saying what I said with an ambiguous connotation. I’m slick like that.

by SenorGato on May 22, 2011 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh man and...

good to see Colvin whooping ass there.

by SenorGato on May 22, 2011 7:59 PM CDT reply actions

Hell yeah! I hope he finds his swing and comes back and hits 40 home runs like Buster projected he would lol.

by bleedinblue76 on May 22, 2011 8:45 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Buster is disappoint.

by bdlugz on May 22, 2011 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I was at the game

The double that Colvin hit was a bloop shot that the 3B couldn’t field. He also looked awful against LeBlanc a LHP striking out on 3 pitches.

by cubfan2201 on May 23, 2011 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Is there anyone

in Iowa that can get anyone out? It seems every game is 13-12, 15-8 and so on. I understand that league is offensive heaven, but goodness the runs never end. A nice round number of 7.00 ERA for our Iowa Cubs.
Flaherty keeps raking. I hope the Cubs buy out Ramirez next year and give some of these kids a shot at winning 3rd base next year.

by Grockcubs on May 22, 2011 9:35 PM CDT reply actions

No

The PCL is an offensive haven, but Principal Park in Des Moines is not.

The pitching in Iowa has been terrible this season.

by Josh Timmers on May 22, 2011 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions

dont say that...lie to me

i am going to see them in Round Rock next weekend lol

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by Cubbie-Tim on May 22, 2011 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Iowa pitching has been pretty bad

Stevens is a solid middle reliever, Gaub is having a good bounce back season. Bibens-Dirkx isn’t bad. Everyone else has been, for lack of a better word, garbage.

by Mulhollandmania on May 22, 2011 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions

So is Vitters pretty much a 1B now?

Did we give up on him at third?

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by SouthWabashSoul on May 22, 2011 9:58 PM CDT reply actions

No.

He still projects as a third baseman.

"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"

by Unique on May 22, 2011 10:02 PM CDT up reply actions

They're just trying to let

LeMahieu and Flaherty get some time at third base too.

by Josh Timmers on May 22, 2011 11:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Gotta start digging into AA.

This shuttle from Iowa to Chicago isn’t the way to go, in my opinion.

"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"

by Unique on May 22, 2011 10:05 PM CDT reply actions

how did Bob Brenley do after being sent down to Daytona

by Cubbie-Tim on May 22, 2011 10:23 PM CDT reply actions

Bob was great in Daytona

He kind of ripped into the Cubs for their lack of fundamentals. He was diplomatic about it. He did say the injuries to pitchers were playing a big role in the Cubs season.

Mostly the guys down in Daytona asked him about his time managing the D-Backs and whether he’d ever manage again. He gave his same stock answer that he’s not going to go looking for a job, but teams know how to find him and if the right offer came around, he’d consider it. He also said that he’s far enough removed from his last job that he didn’t think it likely that anyone would call.

by Josh Timmers on May 22, 2011 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Colvin

I expect we’ll be seeing him back up in Chicago now with Byrd out, hopefully much more PT. Not sure if Wells is ready to start, but I don’t guess we have much choice, especially with uncertainty about Garza. Kirk, Whitenack, Szczur, Vitters, LeMahieu, Lake, and Colvin with nice days and Flaherty continues raking. His numbers are insane.

by Ryno G on May 22, 2011 10:34 PM CDT reply actions

We have to wait the full 10 days.

And I don’t know that they see Colvin as a CF – not sure where the extra PT is going to come from.

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by D98 on May 22, 2011 11:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I figures Fuku would get some time in center

by Ryno G on May 23, 2011 7:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Figured**

by Ryno G on May 23, 2011 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions

You dont need to wait 10 days if you're recalling due to injury.

So Colvin could technically come right back up. However, I don’t expect he will.

by bdlugz on May 23, 2011 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Not now, since Berg has already replaced Byrd.

by Dcr18 on May 23, 2011 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions

That's true.. need someone else to go on the DL now.

by bdlugz on May 23, 2011 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Wait an hour...

…and check back.

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by daver on May 23, 2011 1:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I kinda figured Berg

to be a short term call up, knowing that they were going with a bullpen start. I would have expected to see Berg or Maine go down before Tuesday, with a position player coming up.

by ForTheLoveOfBiitner on May 23, 2011 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Flaherty

Do we see him as an everyday player? If so, where is he likely to receive the bulk of his playing time?

by Mmurton on May 22, 2011 10:45 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I do.

And it looks like LF or RF is the best bet. However, Flaherty can play almost everywhere in the infield. He’s almost like a Mark DeRosa type of player, the type that can be a super-sub.

"It's easy to do what's ordinary, it's difficult to do what's deemed impossible -- I guess that explains why my life is so hard, because nothing is impossible for me"

by Unique on May 22, 2011 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes

I think the Cubs are planning to put him in a Mark DeRosa type role, where he gets 400-450 ABs playing four or five different positions.

by Josh Timmers on May 22, 2011 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

by SenorGato on May 23, 2011 12:26 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

next season i hope...

by MDavis on May 23, 2011 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions

If Quade remains manager, he play 9 different positions,

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Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)

by SackMan on May 23, 2011 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Ryan Cuneo!

Glad he’s healthy. He’s another of my under the radar type guys that I really enjoy following.

by Mulhollandmania on May 22, 2011 11:35 PM CDT reply actions

Comments by Wells and details about his pitching

in Des Moines paper this morning:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110522/SPORTS1402/110522018/Wells-allows-seven-runs-in-rehab-start-for-Iowa-Cubs

We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.

by mrcubsfan on May 23, 2011 8:07 AM CDT reply actions

The HR to Rizzo

Was an absolute bomb to straight away CF. I thought he struggled with his control a bit but other then the HR to Rizzo didn’t give up a lot of hard hit balls.

by cubfan2201 on May 23, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Hey Josh

Daytona is playing Duneden starting today. do me a favor and when you review the Cubs team pay attention to Justin Jackson from the Jays. I work with his dad and try to keep up with what’s going on with him but I value your opinion and would like to hear your thoughts.

If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.

by carolinacub on May 23, 2011 8:42 AM CDT reply actions

With all due respect to your coworkers son.

I hope he gets plastered today :).

by bdlugz on May 23, 2011 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions

LOL

Well he’s barely hold enough to drink so I hope he keeps it in check,
I’m hoping Justin does well but that Daytona wins anyway. He’s been interesting this year, he’s turning into an excellent utility player and his bat is finally heating up.

If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.

by carolinacub on May 23, 2011 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions

My schedule has the D-Cubs playing St. Lucie tonight

unless there’s something you know that daytonacubs.com doesn’t know.

by Josh Timmers on May 23, 2011 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Any chance Jackson gets called up in a couple weeks now that Byrd is down?

Still waiting to see him back in the Tenessee lineup though.

by Dcr18 on May 23, 2011 9:01 AM CDT reply actions

I doubt it.

they probably don’t want to call Jackson up until he’s an everyday starter, which won’t be this season unless Byrd or Fuku is traded, but he should still get plenty of PT in September. I just don’t think they will call him up for a few weeks just to send him back down, but who knows. I definitely wouldn’t be against him getting some MLB PT while Byrd’s out.

by Ryno G on May 23, 2011 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Depending on how long Byrd is out...

… it could work. Platooning Jackson with Reed Johnson would get Jackson’s feet wet in the majors without making him play full time, and still make use of Johnson’s ability to hit LHP.

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by Al Yellon on May 23, 2011 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd imagine that after Byrd' horrific injury

the likelihood that he is traded is slim and none.

However, I think Brett Jackson is your opening day CF in 2012.

Soriano, Jackson, Byrd from left to right in 2012.

Come on Lisa, I'm trying to impress people here. You don't win friends with salad. ~ Homer J. Simpson

by TheBeerBaron on May 23, 2011 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions

With Colvin platooning with Byrd

Come on Lisa, I'm trying to impress people here. You don't win friends with salad. ~ Homer J. Simpson

by TheBeerBaron on May 23, 2011 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions

I hope Byrd isn't on the team next season

But I guess having him available if Colvin struggles could be good, but I’m hoping Colvin tears it up and earns a starting spot.

by Ryno G on May 23, 2011 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Colvin needs to play, bottom line.

give him his shot, with a veteran 4th OF type in the wings just in case. I hope Byrd comes back healthy, and they can move him at the deadline.

by MDavis on May 23, 2011 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

needs to play next season/end of this season is what i mean.

by MDavis on May 23, 2011 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Byrd is supposed to be out a while from what I hear....

by Dcr18 on May 23, 2011 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

I've never broken my face

but I would suspect you’re right. I don’t know how someone comes back from that quickly. The word from Pena that his vison is blurry in that eye, while positioned as a positive because he couldn’t see out of it at first, still strikes me as a huge concern.

by ForTheLoveOfBiitner on May 23, 2011 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Junior Lake

If he continues this hitting you’ve got to call him up and see how he does against more advanced pitching, but there really isn’t room in Tennessee. They have Flaherty, LeMahieu, and Vitters in the IF who pretty much need to play everyday and they aren’t going to sit Marwin Gonzalez about everyday, I’m sure they could make it work, but Gonzalez will probably have to be called up to Iowa first.

by Ryno G on May 23, 2011 9:25 AM CDT reply actions

Call him up

as in promote him to Tennessee?

I’d be fine with that. Gonzalez can play in Iowa.

by Josh Timmers on May 23, 2011 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah.

I meant call up as in Lake to Tennessee. I’m hoping they will do it relatively soon so we can see how he does in a couple months against AA pitching.

by Ryno G on May 23, 2011 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Wonder if Montanez gets called up in near future

to play LF for a few games instead of Soriano?

Just guessing that the youth movement will begin in July when the Cubs are 12 back.

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on May 23, 2011 10:59 AM CDT reply actions

Montanez

isn’t young. Therefore, not part of the youth movement. The only OFs that we would call up for youth movement is Brett Jackson and Tyler Colvin, but neither would get consistent playing time once Byrd comes back, but I do believe Byrd is going to miss a significant amount of time.

by Ryno G on May 23, 2011 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions

He's not

but I wonder if he could be a late bloomer like Andres Torres.

by Josh Timmers on May 23, 2011 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Too bad about the bad pitching at Iowa.

That makes me thin the Cubs will go college-pitching heavy in the draft this year (to make up for the lack of good pitching in the minors).

IMO, the AA guys are still a couple of season away from being any help.

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on May 23, 2011 11:01 AM CDT reply actions

I disagree.

Iowa has not really been the prospect heavy level for the Cubs in years passed. They tend to keep their guys at AA and then jump them to the bigs. I think McNutt will be competeing for a rotation spot next year and possbily Whitenack.

by MDavis on May 23, 2011 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Cubs have plenty of nice young pitching prospects

but most are a few years away. Iowa just has organization fillers pitching for them with no real prospects, so their pitchers doing bad has no effect on the Cubs. Also, you don’t draft for need in baseball, however I do agree that Cubs need some nice pitching prospects out of this draft, but we’re taking Bubba Starling if he’s there.

by Ryno G on May 23, 2011 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions