A few notes from the draft tonight. I'm still trying to digest it all, so this isn't a comprehensive wrap.
Here's a video of second round pick Reggie Golden hitting a ball to right-center at Wrigley that only didn't land on Waveland because it hit the fence at the top of the bleachers.
Third round pick Micah Gibbs is a catcher from LSU who many thought was the second-best catcher in the draft. Looks like the "Geaux Cubs" tradition will go on for a while.
For those of you upset that we didn't take that Harper kid from Las Vegas, we did. The Cubs selected Bryan Harper, Bryce's brother, in the 27th round. He's a left-handed pitcher, not a hitter though. The Cubs will have to give him a pretty strong bonus to sign, however, as he was expected to go around rounds 6-10. He won't turn down a South Carolina scholarship otherwise.
Everybody wins today!
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs neutered the New Orleans Zephyrs, 5-1.
Thomas Diamond was simply brilliant tonight, tossing five shutout innings. He gave up only two hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out eight.
Third baseman Chad Tracy was 4 for 4 with two solo home runs. He scored three times. I assume he'll be in Milwaukee tomorrow when Aramis Ramirez goes on the DL.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies dimmed the Huntsville Stars, 3-0.
Chris Carpenter improved his record to 5-2 with a 6.1 inning start. He allowed only three hits. He walked one and struck out six.
David Cales got save number four. He pitched the ninth and gave up a single and a walk, but pitched out of trouble. He didn't have a strikeout.
Left fielder Ty Wright hit his ninth home run tonight. It was a two-run home run in a 1 for 4 game. Second baseman Tony Thomas was 2 for 3.
Daytona CubsThe Daytona Cubs continued the night of good pitching with a 7-0 shutout of the Palm Beach Cardinals.
Since the calendar turned to May, Chris Archer has been incredible. Tonight he allowed only two hits in six innings. He walked only two (very good for Archer who has had control problems) and struck out eight.
Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 5 with a double and two runs scored. Right fielder Kyler Burke was also 2 for 5 with a double, but he had two RBI instead.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs loosened the Lansing Lugnuts, 7-4.
Jeffry Antigua started and got the win, despite allowing four runs over five innings. Antigua gave up six hits, including two solo home runs. Antigua walked one and struck out six.
Yohan Gonzalez got his first save with a perfect ninth inning. He did not have a strikeout.
Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. He scored once. Second baseman Logan Watkins was also 2 for 3 with a double. Watkins scored once and had two RBI.
Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 4 with a double.