Josh Vitters is your choice for the Cubs #3 prospect. Vitters still has quick wrists and amazing power potential, although he has struggled since his promotion to AA. On the other hand, 20 is still really young for AA and he's walking a bit more lately.
So to recap, the prospects are 1. Andrew Cashner, 2. Brett Jackson and 3. Josh Vitters. Vitters falls off the list and is replaced with Trey McNutt. (I know the link calls him Kenneth: Trey goes by his middle name.) McNutt was a 32nd round pick last season that the Cubs gave $115,000 to sign. McNutt has been unhittable in the the Midwest League this year with a 6-0 record and a 1.51 ERA. He started the Midwest League All-Star Game and although he did take the loss in that game, just like in the majors, that doesn't count against your record.
The vote for second place in yesterday's poll is exactly tied as I write this, so I'm expecting a close vote today.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs made the Omaha Royals blue, 5-4.
Starter Thomas Diamond lasted six innings tonight and allowed four runs on eight hits. Diamond walked two and struck out six.
Justin Berg collected the win with two shutout innings. Berg gave up two hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out one. Brian Schlitter picked up save number 12 with a perfect ninth. He struck out one.
Center fielder Sam Fuld was a perfect 4 for 4 with a walk tonight. One of the four hits was a double. Fuld had one RBI and scored twice.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennesse Smokies remained perfect in the second half with a 2-1 win over the Carolina Mudcats.
Austin Bibens-Dirkx went five innings tonight and gave up only one run on two hits. He walked two and struck out two. Bibens-Dirkx was lifted after only 71 pitches, but it doesn't seem like there was anything wrong with him. Just an early hook from what I can tell.
Jake Muyco got the win with two scoreless innings of relief. He gave up two hits, walked no one and struck out two. David Cales pitched the ninth to get his tenth save. He didn't allow a hit, although he did walk one. Cales also fanned one.
The Smokies got their runs on a pair of solo homers. Nate Samson hit his first of the year in the third inning. Samson was 2 for 3. Third baseman Russ Canzler hit his ninth of the year in the seventh and was 1 for 3 tonight.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs demolished the Dunedin Blue Jays, 6-1.
Brooks Raley improved his record to 4-5 by allowing only one run over five innings. Raley allowed two hits. He did walk four and he struck out four.
Marco Carillo got a rare four inning save, but he earned it by allowing only one hit and no runs. Carillo struck out four as he got his first save of the year.
Center fielder Brett Jackson has been on fire all month. Tonight he was just 3 for 5 with a triple and his sixth home run of the year. It was his fourth home run in June. He had a chance at the cycle in the ninth, but grounded out. Jackson had two RBI, scored twice, and really should be looking for a place to live nearer to Knoxville.
Ryan Flaherty also homered tonight, his second for Daytona this year. Flaherty was 2 for 4 with the one RBI from the solo home run.
Third baseman Ryan Flaherty was 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Peoria Chiefs
Still celebrating Landon Donovan's goal yesterday.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks outlasted the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 10-7.
Carlos E. Rojas was awarded the win as the starter didn't go five and he pitched the best of the three relievers, except for Corey Martin who got his third save. Rojas allowed one run on three hits over two innings. He didn't walk anyone and struck out two.
Martin pitched the final 1.2 innings without allowing a run. He gave up one hit. He did not have a strikeout or a walk.
Third baseman Brandon May hit a three-run home run in the second inning. May was 1 for 4 with a walk and he scored twice.
DH Chris Huseby has not given up on pitching, but the Hawks are using him as a DH as he works on his control issues. The kid can swing a bat as he was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored once and knocked two in. Don't be surprised if he moves to the outfield permanently if he can't overcome "Steve Blass Disease."
Arismendy Alcantara had a triple in a 2 for 4 game. He scored three times and had one RBI. He also walked once.
AZL Cubs