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Daily Cubs Minors Recap: Maldonado stays hot at the plate; Zinn gets 3 hits, swipes 4 bags; Caissie clubs first career HR

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AAA

Toledo 2, Iowa 1

Top Performers

Taylor Gushue: 2-4, HR (6), R, RBI (.273)
Michael Hauschild: 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K (L, 0-3, 4.50)

Tony Cingrani: IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K (0.00)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Veteran LHP Tony Cingrani made his Iowa debut with 2 K in a shutout inning. The Cubs signed him last week.

Mississippi 11, Tennessee 4

Top Performers

Nelson Maldonado: 3-4, R, RBI (.299)
Edwin Figuera: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI (.500)
Erich Uelmen: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Garrett Kelly: 1.1 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 3 K (6.23)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

I’ll be curious to watch the progress Erich Uelmen makes now that he appears to be in the bullpen. He’s long been a guy who made more sense in that role once he reached the upper levels. His lower arm slot from the right side makes him a tough sinker/slider guy against RHB, but while he does have a four seamer and change as well, lefties get a pretty good look at him, so facing them multiple times through the order was not a good fit. In shorter stints, either seeking a key groundball or even as a two inning guy, I think he can find success.

I’m not sure what to make of Nelson Maldonado (.299/.373/.463). He’s an undersized 1B who actually spends most of his time at DH, but he’s doesn’t fit the power profile for either spot. He did play some OF in college, but the Cubs haven’t tried him out there at all. Normally that makes for a prospect who is easy to write off, but Maldonado just keeps on hitting enough singles and doubles where you can’t ignore him.

He’s only played 94 games career games across four levels but he hasn’t slowed down at any of them, carrying a combined .319/.376/.458 line. Maldonado did get off to a slow start after opening this year late due to injury, but since June 11th he is batting .345/.409/.583 in 23 games, good for a 172 wRC+.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get a shot in AAA in the 2nd half just to see if he can keep it going. His age, and lack of defensive profile really, really hinders him. So does being a RHB. He can’t suffer any letdowns at the plate if he hopes to have a chance at the Majors.

High-A

Cedar Rapids 8, South Bend 5

Top Performers

Delvin Zinn: 3-4, 3 R, 4 SB (34, 35, 36, 37) (.246)
D.J. Artis: 1-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB (5, 6) (.122)
Edmond Americaan: 1-3, R, BB (.197)

Graham Lawson: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K (2.00)
Jose Albertos: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (7.36)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

It sure is fun to watch Delvin Zinn and the South Bend Cubs run the bases. Zinn has turned into a machine out there, rarely getting thrown out, but D.J. Artis, Bradlee Beesley and Edmond Americaan are also excellent base stealers as well. With Nelson Velazquez being the team’s only source of power (and being an insanely streaky hitter who appears to be at the start of another cold spell) the Cubs are heavily reliant on their mostly singles hitting lineup to swipe bags, and take extra bases whenever possible to generate offense.

An undrafted free agent from 2020, Graham Lawson has not given up a run since his first appearance in June. Over his last 8 games he has gone 8.1 innings, allowing just 6 hits and 4 walks while striking out 7.

Low-A

Columbia 4, Myrtle Beach 3

Top Performers