Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 20

According to a couple of reports on Twitter (retweeted by Almora himself), Cubs outfielder Albert Almora has finished his injury rehab in extended spring training and has been assigned to Kane County. Almora was the Cubs first round pick last season and is the Cubs #3 prospect according to Baseball America. In case you've forgotten, Almora broke his hamate bone in spring training. So if you've been waiting for him to get out to Kane County to check out the Cougars, now is the time to buy your tickets.

Jorge Soler was the Florida State League Player of the Week.

Over on the Smokies Radio Network blog, they've got a video called "The Process: The 2013 Tennessee Smokies." It has an interview with manager Buddy Bailey and a look at Justin Bour and Jae-Hoon Ha. It's definitely worth a look.

The Cubs also released Mt Carmel High School and St. Xavier University alumnus David Cales.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were rained out. Too bad, it was Iowa Oaks uniform night. They'll try to play a double-header tomorrow.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies scored seven times in the top of the fourth inning to blind the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 9-2 in game one of a double-header. They lost game two 1-0 on a strikeout and a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh.

In game one, Alberto Cabrera went the whole game for a seven-inning complete game. He gave up the two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Third baseman Christian Villanueva got the scoring started in the fourth when he hit his third home run of the year with a man on. He was 1 for 4. Also in that inning was a two-run double by center fielder Matt Szczur. Szczur was 1 for 4 and scored once.

Shortstop Arismendy Alcantara closed out the scoring in the fourth with a two-run double of his own. Alcantara went 3 for 4 with two doubles. He scored two runs.

Right fielder Rubi Silva was 2 for 4 with an RBI double in the fourth. He later scored in that inning. Catcher Rafael Lopez went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

In game two, starter Eric Jokisch threw six shutout innings. He allowed only three hits and walked one. Jokisch struck out five.

The Smokies lost on a walk-off strikeout. After a one-out double and a wild pitch off reliever Marcus Hatley in the seventh inning, Hatley struck out the next batter but the third strike was a second wild pitch that scored the runner from third. Hatley allowed one run on one hit and an intentional walk over two-thirds of an inning. He had that one strikeout.

Third baseman Christian Villanueva was 2 for 3.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were nailed by the Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins), 4-1.

Starter Kyler Burke was successful in his season debut, pitching five innings until a rain delay. He allowed one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out five.

Eduardo Figueroa got the loss when he allowed three runs in the bottom of the eighth. He pitched 2.1 innings and was touched for five hits. Figueroa walked one and struck out one.

Shortstop Javier Baez had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. Center fielder Zeke DeVoss was 2 for 3 and was hit by a pitch.

Kane County Cougars

The Kane County Cougars blew three runs leads twice and lost to the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 8-7.

Tayler Scott pitched the first 5.1 innings and allowed five runs on eight hits, including a home run to Byron Buxton. One of the five runs was unearned. He walked two and struck out four.

Nathan Dorris took the loss. He pitched 1.2 innings and gave up three runs on three hits. Dorris walked three and struck out two.

Third baseman Jeimer Candelario is finally getting hot. Today he was 4 for 5. Candelario scored once and had two runs batted in.

Second baseman Gioskar Amaya had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. He also walked once. Amaya scored two runs.

First baseman Dan Vogelbach was 2 for 5 with two RBI. The Kernels, for the most part, wanted no part of Rock Shoulders, who is tied for the Midwest League lead in home runs. Shoulders walked three times in an 0 for 2 game. However, he did fly out to end the game with the tying run on base.