DJ Herz (Photo by Stephanie Lynn)

AAA

St. Paul 7, Iowa 4

Game Recap

The first start in AAA for big lefty Luis Lugo did not proceed as well as his final 10 appearances in Tennessee. He was tagged for a two-run homer in the 3rd, and then knocked in the 5th when the BABIP dragon allowed every ball St. Paul hit to find a hole. The Iowa defense also struggled in the inning.

Top Performers

Abiatal Avelino: 2-3, 2 2B, R, RBI, 2 BB (.277)Jared Young: 1-4, HR (1), R, 2 RBI (.313)Levi Jordan: 1-3, 2B (.189)Trayce Thompson: 1-4, 2B, RBI (.236)Brendon Little: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K (0.00)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

The Cubs are beginning to see what they hoped for they selected Brendon Little in the 1st round back in 2017. His overall numbers in Tennessee were pedestrian, but he got better seemingly each time out. He was coming off the long layoff and also missed the first couple of months of the this season, so it took him a bit to find his footing. Over his final 8 outings with the Smokies, plus his Iowa debut tonight, he’s compiled a line of 17.2 IP, 13 H, 3 R, 5 BB, 22 K (1.53 ERA). Previously, heavily reliant on his curveball, Little has developed his slider into an important pitch, in a situation not unlike Justin Steele. He’s also found the couple of MPHs he was missing as a starter, and is now capable of running it up there in the 95+. His arm action also looks a little shorter than it was earlier in his career. Little is Rule 5 eligible in the offseason, and given the roster decision the Cubs need to make and the time he missed to start the year, I could see him as an AFL candidate.

Jared Young (.323/.389/.509, 5 HR in 44 games between TN/IA) hit his first AAA homer.

AA

Birmingham 2, Tennessee 1 (Game 1)

Birmingham, Tennessee PPD (Game 2)

Game Recap

recap

Top Performers

Cam Sanders: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K (L, 4-7, 5.32)Scott Kobos: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (0.00)Chase Strumpf: 2-3, R (.204)Nelson Maldonado: 1-3, 2B (.303)Andy Weber: 1-3 (.214)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Scott Kobos received the call to AA, and pitched a scoreless inning in his debut. That is nothing new for the 24-year old lefty out of Coastal Carolina. He’s missed some time due to injury, but he’s allowed just one run across his 17 appearances in A/High-A/AA.

High-A

South Bend 4, Quad Cities 2

Game Recap

Anderson Espinoza turned in his best performance of the season as he fights his way back from two TJS and multiple missed seasons. The young righty was once considered one of the top pitching prospects in the sport, but all the time away took away some of his shine. There is still talent there though. He can run his fastball up to the mid-90s, his changeup has maintained plus attributes, and it looks like the Cubs may be helping him unlock his slider (which was always an issue for him). He struck out seven over five shutout innings while allowing just one hit.

Top Performers

Anderson Espinoza: 5 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, HBP, 7 K (W, 1-3, 5.09)Eduarniel Nunez: 2 IP, H, R, 0 ER, 2 BB, K (S, 2, 4.76)Bryce Windham: 2-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI (.264)Yonathan Perlaza: 3-4, R (.264)Tyler Durna: 2-4, R, RBI (.221)Liam Spence: 1-3, R (.130)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Bryce Windham has been on a tear since he returned from an injury that cost him a month and a half. In 7 games back with South Bend he’s batted .417/.517/.667, a 219 wRC+.

Since July 10th (28 G) Yonathan Perlaza is batting .330/.388/.592 and is looking like he may be ready for the challenge in AA before the season ends.

Luis Vazquez has reached base in all 13 games he has played this year.

Low-A

Fayetteville 5, Myrtle Beach 4

Game Recap

D.J. Herz was phenomenal again, striking out 10 (!) in four shutout innings. He was simply unhittable (RHB were 0-for-10 with 10 K). Bryan did a great writeup on his performance this morning, so I’ll just link his article. Unfortunately, the Pelicans pen could hold the 4-0 lead Herz helped establish.

Top Performers

D.J. Herz: 4 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 10 K (3.58)Riley Martin: 1.2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (0.00)Josue Huma: 2-3, 2B, R, BB (.118)Yohendrick Pinango: 2-3, 2 R, 2 BB (.272)Kevin Made: 2-5 (.269)Jonathan Sierra: 1-4, RBI, HBP (.269)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Riley Martin has made a positive impression in his short time with the organization. The lefty can run his fastball up there into the mid-90s and pairs it with an impressive slider. The 6th rounder from Salem, IL has now punched out 4 in 2.2 innings to open his pro career. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a fast mover in the mold of the Cubs UDFAs from last year.

ACL

Cubs 6, Athletics 2 (Game 1)

Athletics 15, Cubs 3 (Game 2)

Top Performers

Miguel Fabrizio: 1-3, HR (1), R, 2 RBI (.358)James Triantos: 3-4, R (.281)Owen Caissie: 2-4, 2B, RBI (.345)Ismael Mena: 2-4, 2 RBI, SB (8) (.233)Reggie Preciado: 1-3, 3B, 2 RBI (.350)Felix Stevens: 1-3, 2B, R (.257)Edgar Gamargo: 2-3 (.500)Christian Franklin: 1-2, R, BB (.455)Yeison Santana: 1-3, R, 2 RBI (.302)Reivaj Garcia: 1-3, R (.314)Jerrick Suiter: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (W, 2-0, 2.70)Sheldon Reed: 1.1 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (0.00)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Ahem:

I have heard from team sources that Owen Caissie is, indeed, heading to Myrtle Beach. Very excited to see Owen with @Pelicanbaseball.

August 22, 2021

DSL

Cubs Blue 3, Cubs Red 2