AAA

Iowa 10, Omaha 2

Game Recap

Iowa jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the 2nd on RBIs by Zach Davis, Trayce Thompson, and Alfonso Rivas. Michael Hermosillo, fresh off the IL and DHing in the game, hit a solo homer in the 3rd to expand the Cubs advantage. After Omaha super prospect Bobby Witt hit a two-run homer to bring the Storm Chasers within striking distance, Rivas drove in an insurance run, and then Nick Martini added a two-run homer.

The I-Cubs received excellent piggyback efforts by starter Keegan Thompson (4 IP, 0 ER) and Matt Swarmer (5 IP, 2 H). Thompson is still in the process of stretching out. He reached 55 pitches yesterday.

Top Performers

• Michael Hermosillo: 2-2, 2B, HR (9), 2 R, RBI, BB, HBP (.324)
• Nick Martini: 2-4, HR (9), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB (.283)
• Alfonso Rivas: 3-4, R, 2 RBI, BB (.259)
• Trayce Thompson: 1-3, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB (.241)
• Zach Davis: 2-6, 2 R, RBI (.231)
• Keegan Thompson: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K (0.00)
• Matt Swarmer: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB< 3 K (W, 2-5, 6.70)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Jared Young gets his first shot at AAA. He’s come on strong in AA this year after struggling there in 2019. He’s begun using the whole field more, and is getting the ball up in the air at a higher rate. He had an issue rolling over and hitting a ton of grounders to the right side previously.

Michael Hermosillo (.324/.450/.610) was activated from the IL. He reached base in all four of his plate appearances as a DH. I would imagine the Cubs would like to get him some reps in the outfield the rest of this week, and then I have to believe the Cubs will consider making a roster move so that they can add Hermosillo and give him a shot in the Majors soon.

Hermosillo is set to be a UFA and Rivas will be Rule 5 eligible this offseason so the Cubs will want to add both to 40-man anyway. Just need to wait until injury or other player struggles open spots up on the roster.

— Michael Ernst (@mj_ernst)

August 11, 2021

AA

Tennessee 7, Rocket City 6

Top Performers

• Nelson Maldonado: 2-4, 2B, HR (6), 2 R, 2 RBI, SF (.306)
• Nelson Velazquez: 2-5, 2B, HR (2), R, 2 RBI (.292)
• Brennen Davis: 3-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB (.274)
• Andy Weber: 1-3, 2B, R, BB, HBP (.202)
• Christopher Morel: 2-3, R, BB (.204)
• Tim Susnara: 2-4, 2B, R, RBI (.295)
• Cam Sanders: 6 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 5 K (W, 3-6, 5.49)
• Erich Uelmen: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K (S, 2, 4.66)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Power reliever Eury Ramos received a promotion to Tennessee. Capable of running the ball up into the upper-90s, Ramos spent the last couple of months as South Bend’s primary closer.

Outfielder D.J. Artis also received a promotion to Tennessee. He got off to a slow start this year as he bounced around multiple levels to fill in for injured outfielders, but seemed to settle in and showed a surprising bit of pop with South Bend over the past month.

Catcher and infielder Cam Balego was activated from the IL.

High-A

South Bend 6, Fort Wayne 2

Game Recap

After falling behind 2-0 early on, the Cubs pushed across three runs in the 5th thanks to some shoddy defense, but then expanded their lead thanks to a couple of big bombs by Yonathan Perlaza and Alexander Canario (his 3rd in 3 games). Matteo Bocchi shut the TinCaps down over the final six innings.

Not sure where this ball went, but Perlaza appears to have gotten all of it. pic.twitter.com/rm5B15aT6g

— Brad (@ballskwok)

August 11, 2021

Top Performers

• Alexander Canario: 2-5, HR (3), R, RBI, SB (1) (.324)
• Yonathan Perlaza: 2-4, HR (10), R, 2 RBI (.254)
• Harrison Wenson: 2-3, R, BB (.178)
• Josue Huma: 1-3, 2B, R, BB (.246)
• Bryce Windham: 1-2, R, 2 BB (.269)
• Bryce Ball: 1-4, RBI, BB (.200)
• Matteo Bocchi: 5.2 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K (W, 2-0, 2.94)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Not only has Alexander Canario (.246/.331/.460 in 73 combined games between Low-A/High-A) hit home runs in three consecutive games, but he’s made a couple of nice plays in the outfield since debuting with South Bend, one in CF and another in RF. In 8 games with the Cubs organization he is batting .324/.378/.647. That’s a great way to make a first impression, especially since he was one of two pieces who came to the Cubs in exchange for a former NL MVP. The kid has some impressive bat speed and can really drive the ball when he gets his arms extended.

Canario, waaaay deep. pic.twitter.com/W1GqkppNXL

— Brad (@ballskwok)

August 11, 2021

Hard throwing righty Danis Correa received a well-deserved promotion to South Bend. Finally healthy, Correa could become a fast moving reliever in the Cubs system. His fastball registers in the upper-90s, and his breaking ball has improved in consistency throughout the year. He is Rule 5 eligible in the offseason, and could become one of the Cubs more difficult roster decisions should he stay on the mound and have a strong 2nd half in South Bend.

The first member of the Cubs 2021 draft class to be assigned to full season ball is 6th rounder Liam Spence. An overage senior out of the University of Tennessee, he’s considered a solid defender at short or second, and provides the contact skills at the plate the Cubs have heavily favored in recent moves. Spence has been an All-SEC performer who led the conference in OBP last season (5th in all NCAA in walks). He is originally from Australia. His stint in ACL lasted just one game.

Additional shortstop help arrives for South Bend as their Opening Day starter, Luis Vazquez, has been activated off the 60-day IL. Former top prospect Aramis Ademan was also activated for the first time this season, as he too completed his rehab in Mesa. Ademan is returning to High-A for the third time.

Catcher Jake Washer was sent down from Tennessee to South Bend.

Utility man Jacob Olson was released to make room for Vazquez and Ademan.

Low-A

Myrtle Beach 6, Charleston 5

Game Recap

Myrtle Beach won six straight on the road in their previous series, and they didn’t let a return home slow them down last night. Yohendrick Pinango hit a walk off double to win it, capping a three-run rally in the bottom of the 9th.

Yohendrick Pinango wasn’t going to let that winning streak end.

His 2-out double tied it in the 9th!

Crack of the Bat Play of the Game | @VinesPlumbingSC pic.twitter.com/8eYAZ7xQKu

— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball)

August 11, 2021

Top Performers

• Matt Warkentin: 1-3, HR (4), R, 2 RBI (.193)
• Luis Verdugo: 2-2, BB (.187)
• Yohendrick Pinango: 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, SB (8) (.260)
• Pablo Aliendo: 1-4, 2B, R (.261)
• Adam Laskey: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K (8.44)
• Jose Almonte: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (3.79)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Manager Buddy Bailey moved into 4th place in all-time MiLB wins .

Catcher Dean Nevarez was sent back to Myrtle Beach after spending some time in South Bend.

RHP Jose Miguel Gonzalez was added to the Development List for Myrtle Beach.

ACL

Giants 11, Cubs 2

Top Performers

• Kevin Alcantara: 1-3, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, BB (.370)
• Owen Caissie: 2-3, R, BB (.363)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Recently acquired outfielder Kevin Alcantara has been red hot since joining the Cubs org (he was killing the FCL just as much as he has the ACL though). Below is video of his first home run with the org a couple of days ago. He hit another yesterday.

Acquired in the Rizzo trade, #cubs Kevin Alcántara hits his 1st HR with the team. 07-09-2021. pic.twitter.com/mcOhR9WAF2

— John Antonoff (@baseballinfocus)

August 10, 2021

Some of the draft picks have begun playing in games this week. OF /1B Peter Matt (10th), and infielders James Triantos (2nd), B.J. Murray, Jr. (15th) and Liam Spence (6th) have all debuted.

Outfielder Bradlee Beesley has begun a rehab in Mesa, as has RHRP Shane Combs. Both played for South Bend prior to going down.

Infielder Reivaj Garcia returned to Mesa now that a couple of middle infielders are healthy with the full season affiliates.

DSL

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