I don't think it comes as any surprise that the guy who lost the previous vote by one vote when I decided to call it wins today's vote easily. Right hander Trey McNutt and his nasty fastball is your number eight prospect.
There were a few good suggestions as to who should join the vote today, and I can promise you that they'll all get on soon. But since there has been a lot of comparisons between Ryan Flaherty, who is already on the list, and DJ LeMahieu, I'll put LeMahieu on today. I'll refer you to this fanpost for more details on the two, but I will add that LeMahieu is an LSU alum who could keep alive the "Geaux Cubs" tradition.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs were blanked by the New Orleans Zephyrs 7-0 in a game that ended after five innings due to rain.
Starter Thomas Diamond tossed four shutout innings, but had some major control problems. Diamond allowed only one hit, but he walked five. Diamond struck out seven.
Jeff Samardzija has been really good in Iowa this season, but he wasn't today as he allowed seven runs in the one inning he pitched. He gave up the seven runs on a grand slam and a three-run home run. He gave up three hits total and walked four while striking out two. Now to be fair to the Shark, news accounts of the game say he was pitching in a pretty heavy downpour and couldn't get any footing nor could he grip the ball. The game was called immediately after the half-inning that he pitched. Diamond pitched in the rain, too.
Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 2 with a double.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies got poleaxed by the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 4-3 in 10 innings.
Austin Bibens-Dirkx started and went six innings, giving up only one run three hits. He walked two and struck out seven.
Aaron Shafer took the loss in his AA debut. He pitched 2+ innings, giving up one run on three hits. Shafer walked one and struck out two.
Center fielder Brett Jackson did not hit a home run tonight, but he was 2 for 5 with a walk. He also stole a base and scored once. Matt Spencer was 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI. Spencer stole two bases.
Second baseman Tony Thomas had three stolen bases in a 1 for 3 game with two walks. Thomas scored twice. Thomas now has nine steals on the year.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs netted the Brevard County Manatees, 6-3.
Starter Brooks Raley went only 4.1 innings and gave up three runs on six hits. Two of the hits were solo home runs. Raley walked one and fanned two.
James Leverton got the win by retiring the two batters he faced on groundouts. Marco Carrillo got his third save. He went two-thirds of an inning and allowed one hit. Carrillo did not walk or strike anyone out.
First baseman Rebel Ridling's two run home run in the seventh inning gave the Cubs the lead for good. It was Ridling's fifth homer. Ridling was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Third baseman DJ LeMahieu went 2 for 4 with a stolen base. LeMahieu scored once and had two RBI.
Catcher Michael Brenly was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Bob's kid is hitting .362 with a pair of homers for June. That's pretty good.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs were stung by the Burlington Bees, 5-3.
Nick Struck started and took the loss. Struck gave up four runs on five hits over four innings. Two of the runs he gave up were unearned. Struck walked four and struck out four.
Right fielder Nelson Perez hit a solo home run. He was 1 for 4 tonight. Second baseman Matt Cerda was 2 for 4.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks beat the Eugene Emeralds, 5-2.
Juan Yassar Serrano started and got the win, which is kind of unusual for Boise who rarely lets their starters go five innings. Serrano pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits. He walked two and struck out one.
Corey Martin notched save number five with a perfect ninth. Martin struck out two.
Alvaro Ramirez hit a bases-loaded triple in a 2 for 4 night. Second baseman Pierre LePage was 2 for 5 with an RBI. Richard Jones went 2 for 4 with a run scored.
AZL Cubs