Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 26

by Josh Timmers on Aug 26, 2011 11:51 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Seventy-three years ago this September, the Great Eastern Hurricane of 1938 wiped out the baseball schedule in the middle of a pennant chase. The Cubs were in Brooklyn, three and a half games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates. When the Cubs resumed their schedule in Philadelphia four days later, they started a ten game winning streak that culminated in Gabby Harnett's "Homer in the Gloamin'" that catapulted the Cubs into first place.

With most of the games on the Eastern Seaboard this weekend canceled by Hurricane Irene, it doesn't seem likely that history will repeat itself for the Cubs this season. But it's good to use the time to remember a great moment in Cubs history.

If you're on the East Coast, stay safe. And stop having earthquakes. That's our schtick.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs got blasted for nine runs in the eighth inning as they were prey for the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Astros), 10-5.

Jay Jackson did all he could do for the first seven innings. He allowed only one run on six hits. He walked only one and struck out five.

John Gaub has been pretty good all season, but not tonight. Gaub was hammered for five runs on three hits and a walk over only a third of an inning. One of those runs was unearned after a Marwin Gonzalez error. Two of the runs scored after Gaub exited when Kyle Smit gave up a home run to the first batter he saw. Gaub did strike out the one batter he retired.

Center fielder Brett Jackson led off the game with his ninth home run of the year for the I-Cubs and 19th overall. Jackson was 3 for 5.

Third baseman Ryan Flaherty homered in the eighth inning. The solo shot was his fourth for Iowa and 18th overall. Flaherty was 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Second baseman DJ LeMahieu was 2 for 4 with a walk. He had one RBI and one run scored.

Left fielder Lou Montanez went 2 for 5 and scored once. First baseman Bryan LaHair was 2 for 5.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies eclipsed the Jacksonville Suns (Marlins), 7-5.

Andrew Cashner started tonight and threw a perfect inning, striking out one. He threw 14 pitches, nine of which were strikes.

Brooks Raley took over for Cashner in the second inning and picked up the win after allowing but one run over five innings. He was tagged for four hits and he issued only one walk. Raley struck out five.

Rafael Dolis had to come into the game with two out in the ninth inning and a man on second. Dolis got a pop out and his fifteenth save of the season.

Second baseman Jonathan Mota homered with a man on in the seventh inning for his second Smokies home run. Mota was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored twice.

Shortstop Junior Lake went 2 for 4 with a stolen base. The bottom of the order tonight was productive as he scored twice, too.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs got plopped on by the Dunedin Blue Jays, 16-3.

Frank Del Valle made his first Florida State League start and got hit hard for nine runs over only 2.1 innings. Del Valle gave up nine hits, two of which ended up behind the outfield wall. He walked two and struck out three.

Right fielder Michael Burgess hit his 18th home run with a man on in the fourth inning. Burgess was 1 for 4.

DH Justin Bour was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Bour scored once.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were mugged by the Quad City River Bandits (Cardinals), 9-1.

Austin Kirk got clubbed for seven runs on ten hits over four innings. Three of the ten hits were home runs. He walked three and struck out three as his record fell to 5-10.

DH Taiwan Easterling was 2 for 5. Shortstop Kenny Soccoro went 3 for 4 with the lone Chiefs RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were tossed into the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 7-3.

Austin Reed pitched the first four innings and got the loss after allowing four runs on four hits. One of the four runs were unearned. Reed walked three and struck out three.

Catcher Mario Mercedes was a perfect 3 for 3 with a double and a walk. He had one RBI. Shortstop Wes Darvill was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Athletics, 5-1.

Shortstop Javier Baez made his professional debut. He was 1 for 4 with an infield single. He stole third base. He made one throwing error but started two double plays.

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Comments

There is no reason Brett Jackson has not replaced Byrd as the Cubs CF yet...

by TJ11 on Aug 27, 2011 12:11 AM CDT reply actions

Except that it would start his arbitration clock earlier.

For that reason, I’m not against keeping Byrd until next July and turning the reigns over to Jackson then.

Pat Riley is the devil.

by Poloplaya14 on Aug 27, 2011 6:06 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think they'll wait that long.

But they probably will wait until April 2012.

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by Al Yellon on Aug 27, 2011 7:01 AM CDT up reply actions

It's less about his arbitration clock

(because it’s sufficiently late in the year that if he comes up and stays up, he’s not going to be a Super Two), and more about not putting him on the 40-man (where he would stay all Winter) at the expense of a prospect the Cubs would like to protect from the Rule 5 Draft.

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by Brett Taylor on Aug 27, 2011 7:27 AM CDT up reply actions

yup

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

by timh815 on Aug 27, 2011 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions

As has been noted elsewhere, the 40-man isn't really a problem

Already two openings and plenty of guys on the roster who should be gone.

by ClarkFan on Aug 27, 2011 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Yup

I highly doubt that there are more than 3-4 guys who they need to protect, and there are several guys currently on the 40-man who can be removed without much heartache.

by SouthernCub on Aug 27, 2011 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions

these guys are on

AzPhil’s list of Rule 5 eligible in January

Jeff Beliveau
Steve Clevenger
Ryan Flaherty
Marwin Gonzalez
Jay Jackson
Junior Lake
Dae-Eun Rhee
Marquez Smith
Matt Szczur
Josh Vitters

Probably 8 or nine should be protected

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

by timh815 on Aug 27, 2011 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions

You probably don't need to protect Smith or Lake

I don’t see either of them getting taken or if they do sticking on a roster. IMO Smith is more a filler at this point.

by thehat34 on Aug 27, 2011 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Why would Vitters be rule 5 eligible?

he was drafted at 18 and has only been in the system for 4 full years. I thought 18 year olds had to be in the system for 5 full years (which would be next year, no?). Similarly, Rhee only has only been in the system for 3 full years, no?

Also, I can’t imagine that the team should be all that worried about losing Marquez Smith or Lake, considering that Lake is so far from MLB ready and Smith seems like a replacement level MLBer.

And in any case, there should be plenty of room for any of these guys on the 40-man once we get rid of the junk guys currently on the 40-man. I don’t think this should really be a reason for those guys to keep Jackson from joining the team in September.

by SouthernCub on Aug 27, 2011 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Answered my own question on Vitters/Rhee

According to the cubsreporter, it’s based on number of rule 5 drafts, not number of full seasons.

Regardless, the point still stands. There should be enough room to keep 8 or 9 guys protected once the current roster filler is trimmed.

by SouthernCub on Aug 27, 2011 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

We didn't protect Smith last year when he had a career year.

I doubt he’d be a priority this offseason. Berg, Lopez, Ortiz, Grabow, Maine, Caridad, Smit, and Montanez should all be off. Not to mention one of Soriano/Byrd/Johnson could very likely be gone, as well as one of Baker/DeWitt. If Clevenger is added then Hill is likely gone as well. Either Pena will be back or a new acquisition will take his roster spot. And nobody knows what will happen with Z. I don’t really see the 40 man roster as an excuse to not call him up.

by Dcr18 on Aug 27, 2011 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Add Caridad and Mateo to that list

There are a dozen or so guys who could be let go, not even considering the possibility of trading someone like Byrd or Zambrano.

by SouthernCub on Aug 27, 2011 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions

I did include Caridad.

I could see Mateo staying because he wasn’t awful this year and isn’t old, although I wouldn’t be devastated to see him removed.

by Dcr18 on Aug 27, 2011 1:11 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Whoops, didn't see Caridad

by SouthernCub on Aug 27, 2011 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions

I likely won't bother with goin' to any games for the rest of the year...

…unless, the Cubs bring up guys like BJax, JJax, Flaherty, Castillo, etc., AND play them!!

If they don’t want empty seats in September, I’d think playin’ some kids would give fans a reason to come out, right?

by Hoostino on Aug 27, 2011 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions

You would think. But that idea may not have occurred to the Cubs' "brain rust"

No typo

by ClarkFan on Aug 27, 2011 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions

Not sure....not the best run team.

by TJ11 on Aug 27, 2011 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions

Cubs fan 1: "Going to today's home game?"

Cubs fan 2: “Not sure. Is DeWitt playing?”

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

by timh815 on Aug 27, 2011 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Also about starting his service time

If the Cubs waited a month or so into 2012 until bringing BJax up, they essentially gain an extra year of team control at the big league level. As a large market team, they shouldn’t be thinking like that, but it might be in the back of their minds.

by RynoRooter on Aug 27, 2011 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions

And some of it may be

letting the next GM decide what to do. About all coaches and the Interim GM will be gone.

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

by timh815 on Aug 27, 2011 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions

That's a fairly reasonable argument I think

Not locking the next GM into committing to Jackson is sort of an okay reason. I think the benefit of giving Jackson some time in MLB outweighs that, but it’s a fair point of consideration.

by SouthernCub on Aug 27, 2011 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Has it been shown

with some certainty that there is a benefit to getting a player sixty or so ABs in September. It may be helpful. I’m not trying to be contrarian, but can it be assumed that it necessarily benefits the player?

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

by timh815 on Aug 27, 2011 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

It is not necessarily better, no

I highly doubt anything has been proven one way or the other. Hence I said “I think …” rather than “I know …”

by SouthernCub on Aug 27, 2011 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Fair enough.

It seems to get floated, here and elsewhere, that BJax would benefit from a month.

It may be true. Or not.

Since it is conjecture, and since his being CF in April 2012 guarantees nothing, I don’t see where tying the GMs hands benefits much.

Especially with a potential strike.

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

by timh815 on Aug 27, 2011 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions

You're really convinced there's going to be a strike?

I say no.

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by Al Yellon on Aug 27, 2011 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Not convinced.

I think there is a possibility.

It would be unfortunate BJax not being able to play in the system, because we wanted him to get sixty AB extra.

I hope I’m wrong. But if playing poker, be aware of any potential hand-changers on the board.

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

by timh815 on Aug 27, 2011 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I think there's almost no chance

Both sides would be saber-rattling now and setting up strike funds. That none of that is happening says to me that no one is expecting a work stoppage.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 27, 2011 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions

The Cubs shouldn't think about this like they are the Marlins

If Jackson needs to play in Chicago, get him to Chicago. It will be a plus to worry about his arb clock, because that will mean he is a productive Major League player.

by ClarkFan on Aug 27, 2011 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions

agree completely..

They run this team like they are the royals.

by TJ11 on Aug 27, 2011 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions

I really find it hilarious that alot of us that follow the minors

Hold Brett Jackson to a different regard. I think he can hit .290 and hit 20 HR annually. Some think he strikes out too much and will only hit in the .260s. I think Jackson will be a absolute stud. The fun part is…. None of us know how good he’s gonna be.

And I’d really rather see Jay Jackson here… You know a guy that actually might have a future over Lopez. And yes, I’m aware of Jackson’s high ERA. He’s been better as of late.

'Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'

by Unique on Aug 27, 2011 12:15 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

I agree completely. I don't care if it is J Jackson or Rusin or

C Coleman or Gaub or even A Cabrera. Why are Lopez and Ortiz on this team? Clearly not the future. Bring up young guys who may have a future beyond this season and get them some experience.

by CA Cub Fan on Aug 27, 2011 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Gaub is a reliever

But I get your point. I guess Quade and the Cubs think if they put Lopez out there every 5th day it gives less of a ‘white flag’ than throwing one of the kids out there.

I think anytime you can give guys like Jackson experience, it can only help.

'Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'

by Unique on Aug 27, 2011 12:37 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I guess Quade and the Cubs think if they put Lopez out there every 5th day it gives less of a ‘white flag’ than throwing one of the kids out there

Less of a ‘white flag’ than being 21 games out of first place?

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by Al Yellon on Aug 27, 2011 7:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Exactly

by TJ11 on Aug 27, 2011 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Remember, I said Quade "thinks" this..

I didn’t say it was logical.

'Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'

by Unique on Aug 27, 2011 9:12 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Point taken.

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by Al Yellon on Aug 27, 2011 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions

I included Gaub since Ortiz is now relieving.

But yes my point is I don’t care who provided they are younger. I don’t even want to see R Johnson start any more even though he has been playing well

Guess that is what you get when you have a first year manager still trying to win to possibly save his neck

by CA Cub Fan on Aug 27, 2011 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions

They are still trying to win games i guess

The future is an illusion for this organization. Idk if winning games with veterans is more important that evaluating younger guys as a philosophy. Its proilly a lose-lose situation anyway if are indeed needing to decide what to do. The cubs need to get up to date. Making a late season run does nothing for this team in 2012

by dlo03 on Aug 27, 2011 1:23 AM CDT reply actions

sounds lile flaherty has fogired it out some

Bjax flaherty need to come up in Sept ans get a taste.

by MDavis on Aug 27, 2011 4:05 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

could you please interpret?

Not quite sure what that post just said.

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by CubFanSince1970 on Aug 27, 2011 7:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Sounds like Flaherty has figured it out some.

BJax and Flaherty need to come up in September and get a taste.

At least that’s what I got out of it.

by Dcr18 on Aug 27, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

I wonder if Del Valle

Tried to change his approach so that he could extend, as a starter, and that messed with his stuff.

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by Brett Taylor on Aug 27, 2011 7:28 AM CDT reply actions

No idea

But that was ugly.

by RynoRooter on Aug 27, 2011 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions

What are they doing with Hayden Simpson?

He seems to be starting every 5th day or so, but he almost never goes more than one inning and he inevitably gets hit very hard (facing 6-8 batters, giving up 3 hits and 2 earned more often than not).

Is he on some kind of incredibly strict pitch count? Are they telling him he can’t throw breaking stuff or some such?

It can’t be much of a confidence builder to take the mound every week JUST long enough for the other team to bat around against you.

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by D98 on Aug 27, 2011 7:41 AM CDT reply actions

For awhile there he was strictly fastball

But AZPhil recently said that he threw his curve and a few changeups in an outing. My guess is that he’s still throwing 85 mph.

I just hope the mental issues aren’t sticking around.

by RynoRooter on Aug 27, 2011 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Can't help but wonder if Szczur is just gassed

after a full baseball season on top of a football season. At least, that’s the theory I would prefer to account for his play at High A. Will be interesting to see if the Cubs put him in winter ball to work on things or if they will just give him some time off.

by Bradsbeard on Aug 27, 2011 8:27 AM CDT reply actions