Cubs Minor League Wrap: June 23

by Josh Timmers on Jun 23, 2011 11:57 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Marcos Mateo picked up the save tonight.

Tomorrow is the last day you can vote for the Triple-A All-Star Game. Iowa Cubs players Bryan LaHair, Tyler Colvin and Jonathan Mota are currently leading in the balloting. See that they stay there.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs stopped the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) 7-3.

Robert Coello celebrated his return to the Pacific Coast League by picking up his fourth win. Coello pitched five innings and allowed one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out two.

Marcos Mateo got his second save. Mateo entered the game with two on and two out in the eighth inning and gave up a run-scoring single to the first batter he faced. He struck out the next batter to end the inning and then struck out the side in the ninth. So he pitched 1.1 total innings and allowed no runs on one hit while striking out four.

Center fielder Tyler Colvin hit home run number four in the fifth inning with a man on. Colvin went 3 for 4 with four RBI. He scored twice.

Second baseman Bobby Scales had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. Scales also walked once and scored twice. Left fielder Ty Wright went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were subjugated by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 7-0.

Bad night tonight for Trey McNutt as he couldn't find the strike zone. McNutt faced five batters and allowed one single. The other four batters he walked. He then exited the game without recording an out. He was charged with allowing two runs.

Catcher Steve Clevenger went 3 for 4 with a double. Right fielder Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 4.

This was the first game of the second half for the Smokies.

Daytona Cubs

In the first game of the second half for Daytona, they were bitten by the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies), 6-5.

Starter Juan Serrano pitched the first four innings and allowed four runs on five hits, including three solo home runs. Serrano did not walk anyone and struck out three.

Aaron Kurcz got the loss in relief. He allowed two runs on two hits over two innings. Kurcz walked one and struck out five.

Shortstop Logan Watkins has been on fire lately after a terrible start to the season. Watkins went 2 for 3 tonight.

Second baseman David Macias went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs liked the All-Star break so much they decided to extend it another day.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were blown away by the Tri-City Dust Devils (Rockies), 7-2.

Starting pitcher Yao-Lin Wang was pretty solid, allowing only one run on six hits over four innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Cam Greathouse took the loss after allowing two runs on a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Greathouse pitched two-thirds of an innings. The home run was the only hit he allowed, but he did walk three. He did not have a strikeout.

Center fielder Pin-Chieh Chen went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Shortstop Dustin Harrington was 2 for 3 with a walk.

AZL Cubs

Crushed the Royals, 18-1.

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Comments

Colvin is getting his stroke back.

Decent start for Wang.

by SenorGato on Jun 24, 2011 1:23 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Despite Kurcz getting the loss

I was pretty encouraged by the five Ks and one walk in two innings.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 24, 2011 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Im glad to see him moved to the pen.

I really like his stuff as a late inning reliever.

by Dcr18 on Jun 24, 2011 8:03 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Im glad to see him moved to the pen.

I really like his stuff as a late inning reliever.

by Dcr18 on Jun 24, 2011 8:10 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

You must REALLY like it!

by Ryno G on Jun 24, 2011 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Wow

18-1 lolololololololol

"You know, we always called each other good fellas. Like you said to, uh, somebody, :You're gonna like this guy. He's all right. He's a good fella. He's one of us.: You understand? We were good fellas. Wiseguys."

by HawkCub on Jun 24, 2011 2:14 AM CDT reply actions

Brian Inoa

who I remember being referenced as an “all-bat, no glove” catcher, is being run out at 2B. No glove yet there either, but he had 3 hits and 3 runs.

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Jun 24, 2011 3:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Seems like Colvin gets a HR or 2B everyday

Good game from him, Wang, and Chen. Rough day for almost all big Smokies prospects. McNutt obviously, Jackson was 1-3 with a BB and 2 Ks, Vitters was 0-4, and Lake was 0-4 as well. Flaherty had a solid game though. By tomorrow afternoon they better have promoted Szczur and Kirk. They did the right thing today by keeping Beeler in AA, now time to promote them two.

Also…
Golden 0-3 BB K
AZL-Pugliese 2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 BB 2 K
Hartman 4 IP 3 H 0 R 1 BB 3 K
Levitt in his debut 2 IP 3 H 1 ER 0 BB 2 K

by Ryno G on Jun 24, 2011 3:02 AM CDT reply actions

Well nefarious about that Kirk promotion

He’s scheduled to start tomorrow night. Wow. Cubs have been disappointing this week in many ways.

by Ryno G on Jun 24, 2011 4:03 AM CDT reply actions

Nevermind*** stupid iPhone spell check

by Ryno G on Jun 24, 2011 4:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Smokies' new pitcher?

Trolling webcasts last night, heard Spencer on mound to mop up in last inning of blowout. Announcer said he hit 97 twice, 99 once, several 95’s. Strikeout, a couple of walks, hit, run, a wild pitch or two. Didn’t he pitch in college at Ariz. State? 6’ 5" lefty who throws in mid 90’s?!?! WTF!

by Denny Hittme on Jun 24, 2011 6:35 AM CDT reply actions

What?

…As in Matt Spencer? The outfielder?

by Ryno G on Jun 24, 2011 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions

The Morrisville Masher

can chuck it

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Jun 24, 2011 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions

So

What the heck was wrong with McNutt? Obviously control was the problem, but what was wrong? Was this his first start off the DL with the rib issue?

I’m trying not to be panicky, but… well… it’s a Cubs prospect.

Bleacher Nation - Cubs Rumors and News

by Brett Taylor on Jun 24, 2011 7:36 AM CDT reply actions

Could just be rust. could be compensating.

Maybe he wasn’t sure how his ribs would react or what not so he was trying to pitch as to not risk pain. obviously i’m speculating and have no clue but i don’t view this as a big issue. now if he struggles like this next start then maybe theirs something goin on.

by MDavis on Jun 24, 2011 7:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Eh. I wouldn't read too much into it.

Probably a tad rusty, might have gotten pinched. If it happens next start, then you can worry some.

by Ryno G on Jun 24, 2011 7:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Worry?

Wrong board.

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Jun 24, 2011 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Colvin

Last two games…5-8….7 RBI’s…2HR…..1 SB…I think he is locked in!

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

by mrcubsfan on Jun 24, 2011 7:55 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Very encouraged by him.

I believe the kid can hit, he was just misused a bit early, and then started to press and things spiraled out of control for him. Leave him down there another month, and hopefully we see some deals (Fuku, Byrd_) and let Colvin play out the rest of the year and see what we have.

by MDavis on Jun 24, 2011 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Don’t bring him back up until he’s got a starting spot. He’s better off in Iowa if he isn’t playing almost everyday in Chicago.

by Ryno G on Jun 24, 2011 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Absolutely, and i believe its going to take moving both Byrd and Fuku.

Ya gotta believe Jackson is the first in line to get the call….then again, we are talkign about the Cubs so who the hell knows right?

by MDavis on Jun 24, 2011 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Bruce Levine has reported that there is still interest in Byrd

As long as he shows a calm approach in the batters box.

by Ryno G on Jun 24, 2011 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Agree as well...

…though I still worry about his high K rate and lack of OBP. But I would guess he’s getting his confidence back, which should help a lot.

Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Jun 24, 2011 9:43 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I just think thats the type of player he is goign to be.

and thats not necessarily terrible. Not every position is going to be a star. With Colvin, you get a cost controlled guy who can hit anywhere from .240-.275, 30 HR potential. sure he’s goign to K, and you cna hope the BB increase but thats tough to call, but he would fit nicely in the 6th or or 7th spot providing some power. if he can come up for august and september and put together a couple ofsolid months i think it would greatly benefit him and the Cubs. one less position they have to worry about spending a boat load of money. I think they should bring in a righty power bat in that 4th ouffielder role for next season as well. fingers crossed for Fielder, and seeing that the 3B market is bare, I’d really liek to see Flaherty get a shot, at least in a platoon with Baker.

by MDavis on Jun 24, 2011 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions