MLB

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Steele will replace Davies in rotation. Once he gets stretched out Thompson probably replaces Williams.

— Michael Ernst (@mj_ernst)

July 27, 2021

AAA

Iowa 3, Louisville 2

Top Performers

• Ian Miller: 3-4, 3B, 2 R (.286)
• Erick Castillo: 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI (.286)
• Alfonso Rivas: 1-3, HBP (.286)
• Matt Swarmer: 4 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K (7.11)
• Scott Effross: 2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 2 K (W, 4-2, 5.08)
• Jake Jewell: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, K (S, 4, 2.78)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Im rooting for him to get another shot simply for the fact his previous one was cut short ina horrific injury.

— Michael Ernst (@mj_ernst)

July 28, 2021

AA

Chattanooga 4, Tennessee 3

Top Performers

• Levi Jordan: 1-2, HR (4), R, RBI, BB (.257)
• Chase Strumpf: 2-4, 2B, R (.174)
• Carlos Sepulveda: 1-3, BB (.237)
• Erich Uelmen: 2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, K (4.72)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Erich Uelmen has pitched extremely well since moving to the pen. It is the proper place for him, as it limits his exposure against left-handed batters. In his first 4 relief appearances his line is: 8 IP, 3 H, R, 2 BB, 10 K

High-A

Quad Cities 4, South Bend 2

Top Performers

• Ryan Jensen: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K (L, 2-7, 4.97)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Once Ryan Jensen gets beyond the 1st inning he’s been really strong this year. Control tends to be an issue early on and then he gets more locked in beyond the first handful of batters. It’s led to a few outing where his pitch count got him yanked before getting out of the 1st, and yesterday he gave up a home run to the leadoff man, then an unearned run, before mowing his way through the next four innings. He’s missed bats (29.7 K%) with his mid-to-upper-90s four seamer and improved slider, and is generating ground balls (52.7 GB%) as well thanks to his power sinker. The Cubs best starter throughout their system this month, it is probably time to think about a promotion to AA. Jensen has allowed just 5 ERs over 22.2 July innings (1.99 ERA) while posting a 28-to-4 K-to-BB ratio.

So this Ryan Jensen guy

5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K

Just struck out Jake Mears on a high fastball to end the inning. pic.twitter.com/JXEOGFVUKw

— Steven (@GoCubs49)

July 28, 2021

Low-A

Augusta 5, Myrtle Beach 3

Top Performers

• Matt Mervis: 1-5, HR (7), R, 3 RBI (.199)
• Kevin Made: 3-4 (.223)
• Jacob Wetzel: 2-4, R (.236)
• Ezequiel Pagan: 2-4 (.276)
• Manuel Espinoza: 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, BB, 3 K (4.09)
• Danis Correa: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

The hottest reliever in the system right now has got to be Danis Correa. The undersized reliever with a big arm continues to show an improved breaking ball, and the combo with his upper-90s heat has proven overpowering against Low-A hitters. He’s struck out 33 batters while walking 9 in 20 innings this season. Over his last two appearances his line has been even better: 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K

Matt Mervis, 3 run HR in the blink of an eye. pic.twitter.com/tMep4KFEnd

— Itsacon (@thats_so_cub)

July 28, 2021

Bryan Smith took a deep dive on recent Cubs acquisition RHP Daniel Palencia which is worth a read. I haven’t had a chance to do much of a review on Palencia yet, but Bryan and I tend to agree on about 90-95% of evaluations, so I trust his take:

Yesterday I watched all of Daniel Palencia’s MiLB tv appearances this yr and about 60 Greg Deichmann ABs. Came away with some different opinions than industry scouting reports. Here’s what I saw on tape and thoughts on how they slot into org rankings.https://t.co/b9xrOvNQdu

— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects)

July 28, 2021

AZL

Cubs 6, Rockies 4

Top Performers

• Owen Caissie: 2-4, HR (4), R, 2 RBI, BB (.372)
• Shendrick Apostel: 1-4, HR (1), R, RBI (.160)
• Reggie Preciado: 2-4, R, RBI, SF, SB (3) (.394)
• Yovanny Cuevas: 1-3, R, RBI, BB (.318)
• Luis Devers: 5 IP, 3 H, R, 3 BB, 3 K (1.89)
• Andricson Salvador: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (1.35)
• Elias Almanzar: 2 IP, 2 H, R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K (10.38)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Owen Caissie (.372/.542/.698) homered for the 2nd straight day. He also homered on two consecutive days last week, giving him 4 homers in his last 8 games. The Cubs will need to re-assess if the AZL is the proper league for him after the trade deadline. With the way he is blitzing the league, and reportedly doing it with a good approach at the plate (16 BB/15 K), it may be time to challenge him in Myrtle Beach.

#cubs @owen_caissie goes from an 0-2 count and works it full. Fouls off a pitch, then hits a home run to left field. pic.twitter.com/NX1jpQm7uR

— John Antonoff (@baseballinfocus)

July 27, 2021

Luis Devers posted his second straight start with 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, and 3 K. The only difference in his line this time out was he walked 3 instead of issuing just a lone free pass last time out.

DSL

Royals 7, Cubs Blue 6

Cubs Red 6, Tigers 4