Christopher Morel (photo by Rikk Carlson)

AAA

Louisville 7, Iowa 6 (10 Innings)

Game Recap

Alfonso Rivas has done nothing but hit since he returned from his brief stay in Chicago to open the year. He collected four hits, including two doubles, to help the I-Cubs build 5-0 lead through four innings. Caleb Kilian wasn’t particularly sharp, but he didn’t walk guys and kept the ball on the ground. Unfortunately, it was an off day for the Iowa pen (and defense). Six runs by Louisville from the 7th inning on (3 unearned) sunk the team.

Top Performers

Alfonso Rivas: 4-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI (.538)Ildemaro Vargas: 3-5, 3B, 2 R (.267)Dixon Machado: 2-5, 2 RLevi Jordan: 1-4, R, BB, SB (1)Brennen Davis: 1-4, RBI, SF (.224)Caleb Kilian: 5 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 4 K (1.54)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

After being designated for assignment last week, the Cubs traded former 2nd round pick Cory Abbott to the Giants for cash considerations. My guess is the Giants paid slightly more to the Cubs than the typical waiver wire fee as a way to jump the line of teams that would potentially claim the right handed starter ahead of San Francisco.

Abbott had stalled in his development over the last year. He struggled with the home run ball, and with getting LHB out. The Cubs apparently determined that Abbott had fallen behind Mark Leiter, Jr. for starts in Chicago. And with Wade Miley, Alec Mills, and Steven Brault all rehabbing and potentially available within the next month, Abbott must have been deemed expendable.

AA

Tennessee 10, Rocket City 3

Game Recap

Five different Tennessee batters each blasted a home run.

The hottest hitter in the system since opening day, Darius Hill hit a grand slam, and added a double as well. Chris Morel launched his homer 450 feet. Nelson Maldonado continued to show his offseason strength gains are paying off. He went oppo for his third of the season already (career high is 6 in 67 games). A day after going yard twice, Nelson Velazquez sent another over the fence. Chase Strumpf added his second of the season.

The hottest hitter in the system to begin the year, Darius Hill, just hit a grand slam! pic.twitter.com/Gj9vdRElGM

April 21, 2022

How about an easy 450 to center field for Christopher Morel? pic.twitter.com/IMc6V9vFaM

April 21, 2022

Nelson Velasquez just hit his third home run in two days pic.twitter.com/MSNBXykR0b

April 21, 2022

On the mound, Cam Sanders struck out seven, and Bryan Hudson earned his 4th win of the young season. The big lefty really should be in Iowa at this point, and I wouldn’t even rule out the possibility he is as good as either lefty currently in the Chicago pen.

Top Performers

Darius Hill: 2-4, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 4 RBI, BB (.405)Chris Morel: 2-5, 2B, HR (2), R, 2 RBI (.238)Nelson Maldonado: 2-4, HR (3), 2 R, RBI (.379)Chase Strumpf: 2-4, HR (2), 2 R, RBI (.167)Nelson Velazquez: 1-3, HR (4), R, RBI, BB (.279)Luis Vazquez: 1-3, R, RBI, BB (.259)Cam Sanders: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, HBP, 7 K (5.79)Bryan Hudson: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (W, 4-0, 1.86)

High-A

Game Recap

Beloit 4, South Bend 2

D.J. Herz was unhittable over four innings. He faced only one above the minimum, due to a 3rd inning hit batter. Ed Howard hit his first homer of the year.

A perfect outing doesn’t exi–

Well, @Cubs No. 9 prospect @DavidjohnHerz was perfect across his four frames for the @SBCubs: https://t.co/oU6ivdYeOs pic.twitter.com/MEqEgwb3YE

April 22, 2022

Sweet swing from Ed Howard. pic.twitter.com/9qvUr5ZbW1

April 22, 2022

South Bend did get a stellar defensive play from Fabian Pertuz on the night as well:

Tonight’s @LavenInsurance Defensive Play of the Game was this stellar diving catch by Fabian Pertuz! @FPertuz_8 pic.twitter.com/QUKrv8gIC8

April 22, 2022

Top Performers

D.J. Herz: 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, HBP, 4 K (0.82)Ed Howard: 1-3, HR (1), R, RBI (.179)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

With a strike out in his first inning of work, D.J. Herz hit the 150 K mark in his pro career. It took him just 100 innings to accomplish the feat. There really isn’t much A-ball hitters can do against the young lefty. The only thing that usually stops him in any given outing is his command/control. When he is throwing strikes like yesterday it is almost automatic he holds the opposing team off the board. It is a bit reminiscent of the point when Brailyn Marquez got locked in at South Bend a few years ago.

Low-A

Myrtle Beach 8, Delmarva 3

Game Recap

The Pelicans offense stayed hot, putting up two runs on the board in the 4-7 innings. Walker Powell earned his second win with an impressive 4.1 innings. The 6’8″ righty with a unique arm angle punched out 7 batters.

A great night gets better for Miguel Fabrizio!

His second RBI of the night comes on a double and moves the Pelicans first baseman a homer away from the cycle.

Pelicans 6, Shorebirds 2 in the bottom of the sixth. pic.twitter.com/LleJ4A2S6H

April 22, 2022

Top Performers

Miguel Fabrizio: 3-5, 2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI (.200)Jacob Wetzel: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB (5) (.237)Kevin Alcantara: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, SB (2) (.265)Liam Spence: 0-2, R, RBI, SF, 2 BB, SB (1)Walker Powell: 4.1 IP, 2 H, R, 0 BB, 7 K (W, 2-0, 3.27)