Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 19

In case you don't see the fanpost on the subject, the Cubs signed Dominican pitcher Juan Carlos Paniagua today for $1.5 million. Paniagua may instantly become the Cubs top pitching prospect assuming that the contract is approved by MLB. You see, Paniagua has signed with both the Diamondbacks and the Yankees in 2009 and 2011 respectively, but both contracts were voided after Paniagua was found to have a false name (with Arizona) and false documentation (with the Yankees). He's not hurting though, as every time he signs a new contract it's for a lot more money than the previous one.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were blown away by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins), 9-1.

Ryan Rowland-Smith had to make the emergency start when Casey Coleman got told to go to St. Louis an hour before the game. Rowland-Smith went four innings and allowed five runs on seven hits. All five runs scored in the second inning and two of them were unearned, although that was the result of Rowland-Smith's own error. He walked four and struck out four.

Right fielder Dave Sappelt was 2 for 4 with a double. First baseman Blake Lalli was also 2 for 4 with a double. Lalli scored on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Brett Jackson. Jackson was 2 for 4 with the sac fly.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies couldn't hide from the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 4-3.

Eric Jokisch had a rough second inning, when he allowed three runs, but those were the only runs he allowed over five innings. He gave up six hits, including a solo home run, and he walked one. Jokisch struck out two.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha was 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored once.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were nailed by the Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins), 8-3.

Starter Austin Kirk went five innings tonight, allowing five runs on seven hits. He walked three and struck out three as his record fell to 4-3.

Center fielder Matthew Szczur was 3 for 4 with a triple and a stolen base. He scored one run and batted one home.

Second baseman Ronald Torreyes went 2 for 5 with a double and a steal. Torreyes scored one run.

Shortstop Elliot Soto went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs were submerged by the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), 4-2.

Yao-Lin Wang made his first start of the season and was pulled after 1.2 innings. Wang allowed three runs on one hit, but only one of the three runs was earned. Wang walked two and struck out two.

Shortstop Javier Baez hit a solo home run in the top of the first. It was his ninth of the season. Baez also doubled in a 2 for 4 game.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks lost to the Eugene Emeralds (Padres), 2-1.

Starter Ian Dickson pitched well, but took the loss as a victim of poor support. Dickson went five innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits. He walked two and struck out six.

DH Stephen Bruno was 2 for 3 with an RBI double. Boise had two hits tonight, and Bruno had both of them.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Mariners, 4-3 in 12 innings.

This game, of course, is of great interest to Cub fans. So to answer your question, first round supplemental pick Paul Blackburn went three innings and allowed one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out one.

OK. Jorge Soler was the DH and went 0 for 3. Two ground outs and a hard hit liner back to the pitcher that was turned into a double play.