I'll do a full post on the Samardzija trade tomorrow, but my quick take is that I love the deal. Russell is a top 10 or top 20 prospect in all of baseball, according to whom you talk to. You can't ask for any more than that for Jeff Samardzija. McKinney is an excellent return for three months of Jason Hammel. Dan Straily doesn't excite me much, but I said that about Jake Arrieta last year too.
The Cubs now have the #1 farm system in baseball, in my opinion, overtaking the Twins and Astros.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs lost to the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Astros), 4-3.
Eric Jokisch dominated the RedHawks for seven innings, allowing only two hits and no runs. Jokisch struck out seven and walked no one. That's domination.
Unfortunately, that domination ended when Arodys Vizcaino took the mound to start the bottom of the eighth inning. Vizcaino faced three batters and loaded the bases with two singles and a walk. He then exited the game for Marcus Hatley. Hatley allowed two hits and two walks and all three inherited runners scored and one run of his own to take the loss. Hatley struck out two.
Shortstop Javier Baez hit his 12th home run of the season in the top of the first inning today with the bases empty. Baez was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Let's roll the tape.
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In the fourth inning, third baseman Kris Bryant clobbered his 29th home run this season, also with the bases empty. Bryant was 3 for 4 with a double.
Do we have video? Yes we do.
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Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies were shut out by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 6-0.
Dae-Eun Rhee started and allowed four runs on three hits over six innings. Rhee walked four and struck out two.
The Smokies had six hits and no one had more than one. They can use Addison Russell.
Daytona Cubs
The field in Brevard County is still unplayable from Hurricane Arthur.
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars cut down the Clinton LumberKings (Mariners), 2-1.
Juan Paniagua won his fifth game by allowing only one run on four hits over six innings. Paniagua struck out three and walked one.
Michael Wagner got his second save for two reasons: he protected a one-run lead and he pitched three innings. That's old school. Wagner allowed just three hits. He struck out three and walked no one.
The Cougars scored their two runs on only four hits. Left fielder Kyle Schwarber was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks lost to the Eugene Emeralds (Padres), 7-1.
Josh Conway started and did not allow a hit or a run over three innings. He did walk two batters. He did not have a strikeout.
Ryan McNeil relieved Conway and got the loss after he gave up three runs on five hits over two innings. McNeil walked one and also did not strike out a batter.
First baseman Mark Malave went 2 for 4.
AZL Cubs
Jorge Soler played another nine innings in right field. Eloy Jimenez went 2 for 3 with a double and a triple.