Max Bain (photo by Rikk Carlson)

MLB

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Wade Miley will throw a bullpen today to see how his arm responded to his first rehab appearance the other day. If he feels good, I think it is possible he joins the Cubs and starts May 10th even though he is not fully stretched out. It’s not like any of the Cubs starters have been working beyond four innings consistently anyway.

AAA

St. Paul 9, Iowa 2

Game Recap

The Iowa bullpen has been one of the strengths of the team over the first month of the season, but it fell apart on Saturday. Sure, it didn’t help that this was a bullpen day from the start but James Bourque and Eric Stout put in some good work early for the club, allowing just one earned run through four innings. But from there the wheels fell off. Anueris Rosario gave up three runs, Cayne Ueckert continued to struggle with his command/control which led to three walks and a run allowed, and then Erich Uelmen struggled through the final inning (four runs, two earned).

To be fair, the bullpen didn’t get much help from the defense (two errors led to three unearned runs on the afternoon) and the offense mustered just two runs despite getting five combined doubles from Jared Young, Nelson Velazquez, and Nelson Maldonado in the middle of the order.

Save that baseball! Nelson Velazquez’ first Triple-A hit is this double in the fourth inning! pic.twitter.com/wECZ29aaIT

May 7, 2022

Not a replay. pic.twitter.com/6hiVWSnGN7

May 7, 2022

Nelson Maldonado doubles to tie the game. pic.twitter.com/VRLlOlTcyp

May 7, 2022

Top Performers

Jared Young: 2-4, 2 2B (.261)Nelson Velazquez: 2-4, 2 2B, CS (1) (.500)Nelson Maldonado: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, SF (.333)Ildemaro Vargas: 2-5, R (.265)Eric Stout: 2.1 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 3 K (2.93)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Andrelton Simmons started at SS and played about 2/3 of the game. The ball never did find him while he was in there so I’ve got nothing to report regarding how his throwing looks as he comes back from his sore shoulder. He did go 1-for-3 at the plate. If he suffers no setbacks Simmons should be ready to go before Nico Hoerner requires another day off in Chicago.

AA

Birmingham 6, Tennessee 2

Game Recap

This was a rough one, as the Smokies just couldn’t get their offense going all night. Darius Hill had three singles, but the rest of the squad combined for just one hit. Tennessee didn’t much done on the mound either. Anderson Espinoza put up another inconsistent effort. He looks good against most of the batters he faces, but there are always slips ups in command/control which lead to mistakes to several hitters a game. He gave up a four runs over four innings.

Just a forgettable day all around.

Top Performers

Darius Hill: 3-5, R, RBI (.317)Bryce Ball: 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB (.292)Blake Whitney: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (3.00)

High-A

South Bend 3, Peoria 2 (Game 1)

South Bend 4, Peoria 0 (Game 2)

Game Recap

South Bend managed to put up a decent amount of runs in both games based mostly off of stringing together a bunch of singles, which is admirable, but not the story of the day.

In Game 2, Max Bain was lights out with five punchouts over four innings. We are starting to see the guy who impressed in workouts and bullpen sessions the last two offseasons show up more often on the mound in game action. He’s gotten himself in top shape this year and reworked his delivery to become a bit more fluid which has helped his command. He’s also settled into a consistent repertoire after doing a lot of experimenting with different grips and pitches last season.

Riley Martin followed with three shutout innings and five strikeouts of his own. A breakout story for the Pelicans throughout April, Martin had dominated in Low-A with an insane K rate. His first foray in High-A was less successful however, as he was knocked around for six runs over three innings. He returned to his Myrtle Beach form in this one though.

Max Bain just toying with guys so far today. pic.twitter.com/dkOoMuNBIo

May 7, 2022

HIGHLIGHTS
Cubs pick up a shutout victory in game two behind gems from @mbain_38 and @Riley_Martin16 plus @mmervis12 extends the longest active hitting streak in High-A to 13 games. pic.twitter.com/Ni8rZf2Fae

May 8, 2022

Game 1 it was Jordan Wicks and Chris Clarke combining to shut down the Chiefs. Wicks did allow two runs but they were both unearned. The two weren’t quite as dominant as the Game 1 duo, but still, the Chiefs rarely threatened.

HIGHLIGHTS
Game 1 today was another nail-biting victory… Jordan Wicks ( @jordan_wicks99) got the start, Chris Clarke (@topher_clarke) got his 3rd win and the Cubs clawed back from a 2-run deficit to win 3-2. pic.twitter.com/LkJ14gojUw

May 8, 2022

Top Performers

Max Bain: 4 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K (2.84)Riley Martin: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K (W, 1-1, 9.00)Jordan Wicks: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, BB, 2 K (4.42)Chris Clarke: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (W, 3-1, 3.42)Scott McKeon: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB , SB (3) (.231)Edmond Americaan: 2-3, 2B, R (.214)Ed Howard: 2-3, R (.253)Jake Washer: 2-3, RBI (.405)Matt Mervis: 2-5, R, RBI, BB (.303)Fabian Pertuz: 1-3, 3B, R, RBI (.229)Yohendrick Piñango: 2-6, R, RBI (.247)Bradlee Beesley: 1-3, RBI (.250)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Max Bain was also pitching for a good cause yesterday:

ICYMI: @SBCubs RHP Max Bain (@mbain_38) will wear special cleats during his outing today.

Growing up 15 minutes from Oxford, MI, he’s honoring the victims of the mass shooting and supporting @42StrongTate. Here’s how .

FULL STORY: https://t.co/KMvxTcnBHo pic.twitter.com/6zWrUjUiuH

May 7, 2022

Low-A

Myrtle Beach 9, Salem 6

Game Recap

The red hot Myrtle Beach offense was held in check through the first four innings, but finally exploded for six runs in the fifth to break the game open. Kevin Alcantara delivered the big blow, a three-run homer. He also doubled later in the game and delivered a nice play in the outfield as well. The young outfielder has had some rough games mixed in throughout the first month, but he’s always responded with good efforts soon after.

SIX RUNS in the top of the fifth for the Birds!

Kevin Alcantara highlights the inning with a three-run homer.

Pelicans 6, Red Sox 1 in the bottom of the fifth. pic.twitter.com/erwTj8dy16

May 7, 2022

Alcântara doing it all pic.twitter.com/hYhvftgHFk

May 8, 2022

And of course, would it be a Pelicans game if it didn’t include Pete Crow-Armstrong reaching base multiple times? Yesterday, it was three singles from the 20-year old centerfielder to push his average over 400, his OBP to 500, and his SLG well above 600. Not bad for a 20-year old with 26 games of total pro experience.

One of the guys who turned heads in April, Porter Hodge, was on the mound for Myrtle Beach. It was the first time though the opposition was able to get to him a bit this season. He gave up four runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings. Luis Rodriguez came on in relief and shut down any hopes of a Salem comeback, earning a well deserved win in the process. The lefty doesn’t overpower but he’s been very effective for Myrtle Beach since he joined the team last season.

Once we get more games with better cameras for Pelicans games I hope to provide a bit more detailed insight into their games. It’s been a bit of a frustrating first month as a watcher, despite the stellar performance, simply because I can’t do much evaluating beyond boxscores.

Top Performers

Kevin Alcantara: 2-5, 2B, HR (2), R, 3 RBI (.247)B.J. Murray Jr.: 2-3, 2 R, HBP (.306)Pete Crow-Armstrong: 3-5, R, RBI, SB (8) (.410)Cole Roederer: 0-3, R, 2 BB, SB (1) (.429)Liam Spence: 1-3, RBI, BB (.143)Luis Rodriguez: 3.2 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 5 K (W, 2-0, 1.26)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Another 3 hit game for Pete Crow-Armstrong gets him to the coveted 400/500/600 triple slash. His current batting line is 410/500/627 in 20 games for Myrtle Beach.

In 26 career Low-A games (his entire pro career) he has hit 411/515/598

May 8, 2022

Named one of the “Top 10 Producers to Watch” by Variety and heralded by Oprah as “a different kind of Spiritual Teacher,” DeVon Franklin is the driving force behind some of our favorite feel-good films and the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers.

He produced the inspirational Miracles from Heaven and Breakthrough and wrote The Success Commandments: Master The Ten Spiritual Principles To Achieve Your Destiny. Recently, he worked alongside director Eva Longoria to produce Flamin’ Hot for Disney. The soon-to-be-released film chronicles the journey of the Mexican-American Frito Lay janitor responsible for turning Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into the cultural phenomenon they are today.

His past projects have inspired millions, but when we sat down together recently, we discussed a much more personal project. DeVon’s new audiobook It Takes a Woman, released on April 21, offers a personal twist on the African proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child.” After his father’s untimely death, a village of women surrounded him and his two brothers, shaping them into the men they are today.

His new audiobook is a 4.5-hour candid conversation with his “village of love”– his mother, Paulette, and his five living great aunts, Aunt Nuna, Aunt Ida, Aunt Enis, Aunt Sondra, and Aunt Donna. Their wisdom helped DeVon tap into his inner resilience, and his audiobook ensures their legacy will continue to encourage others, too. The topics span dating and marriage to money, regret, and death. Nothing is off the table, and their genuine conversations reveal an unbreakable family bond that encourages readers to fortify their own familial relationships.

For some, it takes a village to raise a child. For DeVon, It Takes a Woman. Mother’s Day is coming up, and *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* It Takes a Woman is a perfect gift for the mother or mother-like figure in your life.

Not a lot to say in preface this week, as I’m gearing up for a string of listings for Illinois Craft Beer Week, starting this weekend. More later.

This week, the World Beer Cup medals were awarded at the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America, meeting in Minneapolis. Medals were award in 100 categories, in a competition sponsored by the Brewers Association,

Local winners included Mickey Finn’s Brewery of Libertyville, whose Moon Rocks took a Silver medal for Session India Pale Ale. Roaring Table of Lake Zurich took a silver for Beth in the Classic Saison competition.

In northwest Indiana, Shoreline Brewery of Michigan City, IN won a bronze in Scottish-Style Ale for Beltaine.

Wednesday, May 11

Thursday, May 12

In celebration of AAPI Month, SuperRare is pleased to announce the first ever exhibition dedicated to showcasing the work of Asian American artists.  Running the entire month of May and entitled #TheGoldStandard, the exhibition is curated by artist-technologist-activist and CEO of Drue Kataoka Art Studios, Drue Kataoka.  #TheGoldStandard spotlights the vast contributions of Asian American artists in the digital art world.  Ten artists refract the Asian American and global pan-Asian experience through their diverse practices.

“Asian American artists have been the backbone of digital creativity for decades: from pushing visual technology to its limits in Hollywood special effects, to building virtual worlds for top gaming experiences, to advancing the frontier of technology art.   Asian Americans have played a critical role in turning the best-known digital franchises into household names, all the while toiling in the shadows.  Now, as crypto art and NFTs liberate artists, armies of incredible talent are claiming their sovereign artistic identities along with their Asian heritage.  So, for this first of its kind show, I came up with the name #TheGoldStandard in reference to Asian skin, but also to excellence, and of course– to the roots of cryptocurrencies (and crypto art) as the ‘new gold.’” shared Kataoka.

#TheGoldStandard collection features ten artworks from prominent Asian-American artists, ranging from rising stars in the NFT space to scientists and researchers who are pushing the frontier of what is technically possible in crypto to veterans of some of the world’s leading special effects houses in the entertainment industry, to art entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.  All works will be on exhibit and available for purchase during the month of May on SuperRare exclusively.

“SuperRare is thrilled to be the first NFT platform to highlight the work of Asian American artists in this way,” states SuperRare CEO John Crain.  We have a track record of identifying trends in the NFT space early and saw a big wave coming with Asian American talent in the NFT ecosystem.  It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Drue Kataoka who leveraged her art to raise over $750,000 USD for social justice causes in 2021 alone.”

Participating artists include: internationally exhibiting research-based artist Ani Liu, internationally exhibited photographer Billy Dinh, award-winning global studio Concept Art House, multidisciplinary filmmaker Curry Sicong Tian, renowned artist, technologist & activist Drue Kataoka, 40-year National Geographic photographic artist & Sony Ambassador Mike Yamashita, multidisciplinary artist Reuben Wu, award winning CG Artist Te Hu, new media artist/designer/researcher Weidi Zhang, artist and engineer Xin Liu, and poet/artist Anand Venkateswaran.     

See original post here.

Christopher Morel (photo by Rikk Carlson)

MLB

Let’s play two.

AAA

Iowa 6, St. Paul 2

Game Recap

He hasn’t posted a very high average or on base percentage so his slugging has probably gone a bit under the radar, but Jared Young has been the one consistent power threat for the I-Cubs in the early going. His 7th home run yesterday tied him with Alexander Canario for the second highest total in the system behind Nelson Velazquez. It’s also been a bit weird in that none of Young’s power has translated into extra base hits outside of homers (just 1 double) but that is sure to even out a bit as the season progresses.

Jared Young got all of this one. pic.twitter.com/zy3aXzCidI

May 7, 2022

Robel García also homered, and Nelson Maldonado is making a habit of multi-hit games in Iowa just as he did in Tennessee and before that in South Bend and before that in…

The Cubs have stockpiled enviable depth of left handed pitchers in Iowa and we got to see three of them shut down the opposition yesterday. Matt Dermody got the start and held the Saints to two runs over his five innings. He’s not a long term answer but Dermody got a cup of coffee with the big club a couple of years ago and looks to be throwing just as well this year, so if the need arises the Cubs could call upon him again.

Brandon Hughes followed with two scoreless. Like Maldonado and multi-hit games, Hughes and two scoreless innings are pretty much synonymous at this point. Stephen Gonsalves also fired a scoreless inning. Not a lefty, but Ben Leeper finished off the game with a pair of strikeouts in the 9th. He’s starting to round into the form we saw from him all of last season.

Top Performers

Jared Young: 4-5, HR (7), 3 R, 2 RBI (.250)Robel García: 1-2, HR (3), R, 3 RBI, 3 BB (.263)Nelson Maldonado: 3-5, 2B (.333)P.J. Higgins: 1-3, RBI, BB, HBP (.340)Dixon Machado: 1-3, 2 BB (.295)Matt Dermody: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K (W, 2-1, 3.27)Brandon Hughes: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (0.00)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

He wasn’t in the lineup, but the long awaited callup of Nelson Velazquez to Iowa has occurred. The outfielder is among the Cubs top 20 prospects, and some would argue the top 15. He can certainly hit the ball as hard as anyone in the system. The 23-year old is slugged .700 for the Smokies over the first month of the season. Despite playing just 56 games at the AA level he smacked 17 home runs and added 14 doubles and 2 triples for good measure. We could certainly see him get some time in Chicago during the second half of the season. My guess is his offensive profile as a Major Leaguer will shade more towards that of Patrick Wisdom as I expect the better right handed pitchers will make it difficult for him to make consistent contact. But Velazquez, like Wisdom, has shown that when he does make contact it tends to be very hard contact.

AA

Tennessee 9, Birmingham 5

Game Recap

Christopher Morel. Christopher Morel again. His two homers yesterday (I’ve seriously lost track of how many Cubs farmhands have pulled off that feat in the past few weeks) led Tennessee to an easy 9-5 victory.

Morel mash x2!

No. 21 @Cubs prospect Christopher Morel delivered a pair of loud homers for @smokiesbaseball: pic.twitter.com/E006NfUqrp

May 7, 2022

One of my favorite prospects to watch over the years thanks to his stellar defense at multiple positions, we may finally be witnessing the full breakout of Christopher Morel as an offensive player. The flashes have always been there. His bat speed has always allowed him to make hard contact, but he swung at too many bad pitches and it took a while to add enough mass to his wiry frame to take full advantage.

It’s been a slow build over the last five years. The plate discipline and pitch recognition has improved in small increments each season. He’s gotten stronger. Now that he is waiting for better pitches, when he does make contact it is no longer just hard contact. Morel is now making some of the hardest contact in the system. Far from the biggest guy, his exit velos and home run distances approach or match all of the top slugging prospects the Cubs possess.

John always liked to say that development isn’t always linear… but means that sometimes it is, and I can’t think of a better example of that over the past few years than Morel. Few leaps from him, just steady progress.

Bryce Ball also blasted a homer, his third, and Yonathan Perlaza (who should now get more regular playing time with Velazquez in Iowa) launched his second.

The offense wasn’t the only story though. Javier Assad has long been a solid but unspectacular starter for the Cubs at whatever level he’s pitched. Above average command and control, a feel for spin, and a solid pitch mix has let him keep hitters off balance and limited hard contact. I always assumed he had a shot at a middle relief job if he was able to bump his velo into the mid-90s in shorter stretches.

But, Assad looks to be in fantastic shape and is now starting to sit in the mid-90s as a starter. That takes him to a new level of interesting. I need to see more. And he has to show he can maintain this level for more than the first month, but he’s become yet another interesting arm to watch in the Cubs system.

Top Performers

Christopher Morel: 2-5, 2 HR (5, 6), 3 R, 3 RBI, SB (3) (.311)Bryce Ball: 3-5, 2B, HR (3), R, 2 RBI (.290)Yonathan Perlaza: 1-4, HR (2), R, RBI, BB (.154)Darius Hill: 1-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB (.303)Andy Weber: 2-5, 2B, RBI (.286)Christian Donahue: 2-5 (.176)Javier Assad: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 9 K (W, 1-1, 2.10)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Javier Assad has now struck out 28 batters in 25.2 IP, while walking just 5.

Last 13 games for Christopher Morel. pic.twitter.com/MsddKKhpvf

May 7, 2022

Also…

Good to see Miguel Amaya back doing some cage work #Cubs

(: @mamaya_9) pic.twitter.com/5vyzgzgYJD

May 7, 2022

High-A

South Bend 4, Peoria 2

Game Recap

South Bend didn’t generate a ton of offense, but they managed to bunch much of what they got into two innings. RBI singles by Matt Mervis and Owen Caissie in the 1st gave them the early lead, and then a two-run double by Fabian Pertuz in the 6th gave them a cushion after Peoria had drawn within a run.

HIGHLIGHTS
Undefeated this week and another white-knuckler at home as we pick up a 4-2 victory over the @peoriachiefs. All 4 runs came with 2 outs

Here’s how it all went down. pic.twitter.com/wdSVG0dmUe

May 7, 2022

Meanwhile on the mound, Daniel Palencia put together a really solid outing. The hard thrower has struggled a bit out of the gate, but he was hitting as high as 101 on the gun yesterday, and limited the Chiefs to one run over four innings. Manuel Espinoza did the same (minus the 101 gun readings) but even without the velo he managed to punch out an impressive 9 batters. Hunter Bigge earned his third save with a scoreless 9th.

Top Performers

Daniel Palencia: 4 IP, 3 H, R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (5.06)Manuel Espinoza: 4 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 9 K (W, 2-2, 1.83)Hunter Bigge: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (S, 3, 2.00)Fabian Pertuz: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI (.225)Alexander Canario: 1-3, R, BB (.291)Pablo Aliendo: 1-3, 2B, R, BB (.157)Jake Washer: 1-3, HBP (.382)Yohendrick Pinango: 0-1, 3 BB, SB (1) (.241)Ed Howard: 1-4, R, 2 SB (2, 3) (.236)

Low-A

Myrtle Beach PPD