Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 19

by Josh Timmers on Aug 19, 2011 11:44 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Jeez, Al said pretty much everything I was planning on saying. It's also kind of weird, since Hendry has been GM longer than this blog has been in existence.

It's interesting that Ricketts wants to retain Oneri Fleita and Tim Wilken, the two guys most responsible for my side of the equation. I'd also add that Steve Wilson needs to be retained in Asia.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs stung the Salt Lake Bees, 4-1.

Chris Rusin had a strong start on the way to his third Iowa win. Rusin allowed one run on six hits over seven innings. Rusin walked two and struck out four.

Scott Maine entered the game in the ninth inning and struck out the side in order to get his 11th save.

Third baseman DJ LeMahieu was 3 for 4 and scored a run. Left fielder Lou Montanez was 3 for 5 with an RBI.

Tennessee Smokie

The Smokies conquered the Jackson Generals, 3-2.

Trey McNutt started and got the win with seven strong innings. He allowed two runs on seven hits. McNutt did walk four and strike out five.

Marcus Hatley picked up his fourth save with a scoreless ninth inning. He did not allow a hit but he did walk one. Hatley did not have a strikeout.

The Smokies scored all three runs in the seventh inning, which included a two-run home run by right fielder Nelson Perez. It was his eighth home run this season and he was 2 for 4 on the night.

Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 4 with a double and he scored earlier in the seventh inning.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs couldn't fly with the Dunedin Blue Jays, 3-2.

Angel Guzman started and took the loss after allowing one run in his 1.1 innings. Guzman allowed two hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

Dae-Eun Rhee was good in 6.2 innings of relief. Although he did allow two runs on a two-run home run and five hits total, he only walked one and struck out an impressive eleven Blue Jays.

Shortstop Logan Watkins hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. It was his fourth home run of the year. Watkins was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs skinned the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 8-2.

Frank Del Valle started and picked up his third win with 5.1 scoreless innings. Del Valle gave up four hits and one walk. He struck out seven.

Second baseman Arismendy Alcantara was 3 for 5 with a triple. He scored once and had one RBI.

First baseman Richard Jones was a perfect 3 for 3 with a double and a walk. Jones knocked two runners in.

Center fielder Rubi Silva was 2 for 5 and scored three times. He also had one RBI. Right fielder Jesus Morelli went 2 for 4 with a double. He had one RBI and scored once.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks fell to the Spokane Indians, 3-2.

Yao-Lin Wang started and allowed two runs on four hits over 4.1 inning. He walked two and struck out six.

Hector Mayora entered the game in the bottom of the ninth after the Hawks had tied the game in the top of the inning. He gave up a run on two walks and a hit to take the loss. He only got one out on a foul out.

Ryan Cuneo hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the ninth to temporarily tie the score. It was his third home run this year.

Shortstop Dustin Harrington was 2 for 5 with an RBI.

AZL Cubs

Day off.

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Comments

BJax

1-4 with a BB and 3 k’s.

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

by TheBeerBaron on Aug 19, 2011 11:57 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Rusin and McNutt

Restoring hope in having something for starters in the higher minors.

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

by TheBeerBaron on Aug 20, 2011 12:02 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Struck has done a fair job as well

Really good fastball, but he needs work on the secondary stuff. Hopefully he can tighten them up with simply more innings pitched.

by RynoRooter on Aug 20, 2011 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Rusin is more a back end of the rotation guy

but he could be good in that role.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 20, 2011 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Rhee with another nice start

maybe he is finally 100%.

Also- Tenn had 5 DPs tonight with no errors. Four of them came with McNutt pitching. Pretty rare to see in any game let alone one in the minors where the fielding can sometimes be spotty at best.

by CA Cub Fan on Aug 20, 2011 12:12 AM CDT reply actions

Wasn't technically a start

but yeah. What you said.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 20, 2011 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Lake with another solid day. 1-3 2B BB K SB

McNutt solid start too.

by Ryno G on Aug 20, 2011 1:15 AM CDT reply actions

Del Valle as well.

He’s also getting some hype as he was hitting 98 tonight.

by Ryno G on Aug 20, 2011 1:15 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm really high on Del Valle so far

I’ve noticed that our pacific rim prospects have taken really well to the strikeout in their respective leagues. That’s always encouraging. It may be due to their unorthodox styles, and i’m sure that plays a role in it….but the results are encouraging none the less.

by renocubfan on Aug 20, 2011 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think either Wang or Rhee have that unorthodox of a delivery

But they DO both feature a fastball that gets in the mid-90’s. Rhee’s split-change is also apparently back. Both of these guys should be on most top 20 lists.

by RynoRooter on Aug 20, 2011 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for clarifying that

I haven’t seen either pitch, so I thought it would be safe to assume that it was the case. The plus fastball definitely explains it. I assume you have seen them pitch?

by renocubfan on Aug 20, 2011 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

I have

Although I admittedly haven’t seen as much of Rhee. I get my looks at these guys when they’re at Boise, and Rhee only had 2 appearances there.

by RynoRooter on Aug 20, 2011 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions

inaccurate MPH

fastest I saw FDV this season was at 92-93. if there were reports he was at 98 from a home game its because there are lights burned out on the radar gun readings on the scoreboard that sometimes make the first 8 look like a 9. 88-92 is more accurate on Del Valle who was really good for the Chiefs and now onto Daytona. NB

by ChiefsVoice on Aug 22, 2011 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions

That picture looks like Bradley Cooper..by the way

by Ryno G on Aug 20, 2011 1:18 AM CDT reply actions

few questions

Hey guys. I heard Rock Shoulders is playing in a game today in Mesa for first time. Will we know details on that? Also DunstonJr there now as well. I only know all this because I follow both on Twitter. Both seem like very hartd workers and excited to begin!

by bleedinblue76 on Aug 20, 2011 7:53 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

what is rock on Twitter?

Dunston’s hilarious.

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

by timh815 on Aug 20, 2011 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Rockbigfly24 is Rock Shoulders.

by bleedinblue76 on Aug 20, 2011 4:15 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Good news

I know AZPhil has mentioned that he’s been in uniform for about 3-4 days, but hasn’t gotten into game action yet (Rock, that is).

Not sure if it was mentioned yet, but John Andreoli was promoted up to Peoria. Not a huge surprise for a polished collegiate bat like him. Blair Springfield got hurt pretty badly either last night or night before (can’t remember) and he’s probably done for the year. I haven’t heard who is going to take his place at Boise, yet.

by RynoRooter on Aug 20, 2011 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Rock draws a walk in his first professional plate appearance

I love it. He had a runner at 3rd and didn’t press in a great RBI position. Good to see.

Danny Lockhart also making his debut today. K’s in his first AB.

by RynoRooter on Aug 20, 2011 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

The New GM effect

starts early. Padres were very slow in posting lineups. Thx.

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

by timh815 on Aug 20, 2011 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Ryno where you following this game? Or are you there live? Link?

by bleedinblue76 on Aug 20, 2011 4:17 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

You can follow it at milb.com

It’s the best you can get for the AZL games. There are radio broadcasts for every other team available on the team websites.

by RynoRooter on Aug 20, 2011 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I would hope that Ricketts lets a "baseball guy" evaluate the minor league coaching/development staff

The Cubs still have a system developing over-aggressive hitters and nibbling pitchers. Either they need to be drafting differently or coaching these kids differently after they are drafted.

by ClarkFan on Aug 20, 2011 9:55 AM CDT reply actions

I think the new GM will

have some specific ideas.

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

by timh815 on Aug 20, 2011 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Which is why I would love me some Andrew Friedman

Doesn’t get much better than Tampa Bay’s farm.

by RynoRooter on Aug 20, 2011 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions

What's up with McNutt giving up so many hits this year?

99 H/79 IP this year. Has anyone been following his starts closely enough to give us some insight on that? Some guys tend to give up quite a few bloopers/cheap hits due to their repitoire/style of pitching, but McNutt doesn’t really fit the profile on that as more of a power guy. The results are improving, but it seems that he’s been awfully lucky lately as well when examining his hits and walks allowed coupled with the not so impressive K rates.

by renocubfan on Aug 20, 2011 10:33 AM CDT reply actions

It's possible he's getting unlucky with the hits

In fact, he IS getting unlucky. A BABIP of over .350 against him this year. That will happen, though, when you have a mediocre D behind you and induce mostly grounders.

by RynoRooter on Aug 20, 2011 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions

He's also played over 30 innings without his best, or even close to his best stuff.

He lost movement on his fastball and lost his breaking pitches almost entirely due to blisters for a very long time.

On top of that, he was also battling rib injuries that effecting his pitching as well. It’s a mix of a lot of things, but I wouldn’t worry too much about his stats this year.

by bdlugz on Aug 20, 2011 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Shame to see the lost year, though. He probably is starting in the some place in 2012 as 2011.

by ClarkFan on Aug 20, 2011 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions

I disagree...

Learning how to pitch without the ability to have your best stuff is never a bad thing if they’re able to handle it mentally.

by bdlugz on Aug 20, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Likelihood Oneri remains in his post

37%. I like him, but pitches per at bat hafta go up.

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

by timh815 on Aug 20, 2011 12:05 PM CDT reply actions

I'd put it much higher

Ricketts has been nothing but supportive of both he and Wilken. Obviously, the new GM could push for a change, but I bet it’s well over 50% that he stays.

by RynoRooter on Aug 20, 2011 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

If a real GM walks in

and does a spit take over our (training/patience/defense/fundamentals), I wouldn’t be surprised. Flieta has been very good for us, as compared to ‘in the day’. But that doesn’t mean (Atlanta/TB/Tex/etc) aren’t (possibly) snickering at us as I type.

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

by timh815 on Aug 20, 2011 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions