AAA

Indianapolis 2, Iowa 0

Game Recap

We may see more days like this on offense for Iowa in the 2nd half. The Cubs have called up a couple of the top hitters already, and it seems like it is only a matter of time before they give Alfonso Rivas and Greg Deichmann an opportunity as well.

On the positive side Keegan Thompson fired 3.1 shutout innings (after throwing 3 no-hit innings in his first start with Iowa). His uptick in stuff has held, so far, but so has his slight downtick in control. I’m not overly worried yet. Thompson has remained effective. But I’ll be curious to watch if his increased walk rate hampers him in the middle innings once he gets stretched out.

Top Performers

• Keegan Thompson: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K (0.00)
• Juan Gámez: 2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, K (3.00)
• Trayce Thompson: 3-4, 2B (.235)
• Levi Jordan: 2-4 (.200)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Zach Davis received a bump up to AAA. The speedster has continued to be hampered by minor injuries, and at 27 years old it seems like only a matter of time before he loses a step (he may have already lost a half step). The bat has held up better than any could have expected after his collegiate struggles dropped him to the 32nd round in the draft despite his obvious athleticism. Davis has worked hard to build a solid career. He learned how to switch hit as a pro, and though he hasn’t hit enough to carry him to the Majors, his career has to be considered a success just by reaching the highest level of the Minors.

AA

Montgomery 2, Tennessee 1

Game Recap

I keep not getting around to watching Luis Lugo and the guy keeps going out there and dominating. I really need to spend some time digging into what has triggered this extended run of success. He had the Smokies in line for a 1-0 victory as he shutout the Biscuits through six innings but the pen couldn’t hold the lead and the offense was unable to add on.

Top Performers

• Luis Lugo: 6 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K (3.93)
• Carlos Sepulveda: 2-4, 3B, R (.244)
• Nelson Velazquez: 0-2, 2 BB, SB (1) (.200)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Big lefty Luis Lugo was absolutely terrible through his first 7 starts (10.80 ERA). Since that time, he’s moved to the pen, and then earned his way back into the rotation, and he’s been absolutely shutting the opposition down. Over his last 9 games (5 starts), Lugo has thrown 36 innings, and given up just 5 runs (3 earned) which translates to a 0.75 ERA. He’s allowed just 20 and 16 walks while striking out 45.

High-A

Peoria 6, South Bend 1

Top Performers

• Max Bain: 3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K (6.41)
• Bryan King: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K (4.50)
• Bryce Windham: 2-3, BB (.235)
• Alexander Canario: 2-4, 2B, RBI (.375)
• Yonathan Perlaza: 1-3, BB (.253)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Max Bain came off the developmental list with a simplified delivery and delivered his best performance in a while. He looked looser and more athletic in his motion and the change seems to have improved his control. He relied heavily on a mid-90s fastball with good movement throughout his 3.2 no-hit innings. Bain is reportedly an incredibly hard worker and he’s got arm talent to go with it. Perhaps simplifying things for him will help him unlock his potential.

He is getting some serious arm side run in the zone pic.twitter.com/3SZJyveVyV

— Todd (@CubsCentral08)

August 5, 2021

South Bend kept the no hitter alive through 7 innings before Bradford Deppermann was lit up in the 8th.

trends

Low-A

Myrtle Beach 4, Columbia 3

Game Recap

Not only did Richard Gallardo had his sinker working (8-4 SO-GO) while keeping hitters off balance with his secondaries. He spent about 10 days on the development list after his last start, I would assume to throttle his innings load, but with injuries to others in the Pelicans rotation he re-added. Gallardo is a polished pitcher for his age, with three average offerings he commands pretty well. He’s now gone 5+ innings four straight times and 5 of his last 6 starts.

This looked like it was going to be another game among the affiliates where the offense failed to deliver, but the Pelicans bat came alive in the 9th. Down 3-1, Yohendrick Pinango and Pablo Aliendo opened the inning with singles to bring the winning run to the plate, with power hitters Matt Mervis and Matt Warkentin due up. But the big bats were both retired and it looked like Myrtle Beach would waste their final opportunity. Jacob Wetzel came through however, tripling home both runners to ties the game. Fabian Pertuz followed with a single to score Wetzel for the game winner.

Top Performers

• Richard Gallardo: 5 IP, 2 H, R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (4.24)
• Carlos Ocampo: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (5.55)
• Bailey Reid: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K (W, 4-4, 4.33)
• Jacob Wetzel: 2-3, 3B, R, 2 RBI, BB (.223)
• Ed Howard: 1-4, 3B, R (.200)
• Pablo Aliendo: 1-3, R, BB, CS (1) (.263)

ACL

White Sox 14, Cubs 8

Top Performers

• Ronnier Quintero: 2-5 HR (2), 2 R, RBI (.172)
• Ismael Mena: 4-5, 2 R, SB (5) (.244)
• Reggie Preciado: 3-5, 2B, R, 4 RBI (.373)
• Luis Vazquez: 1-3, R, RBI (.333)
• Miguel Fabrizio: 1-3, RBI (.345)
• Aramis Ademan: 0-1, 2 BB, R, SB (1) (.278)
• Kevin Alcantara: 1-4, BB, SB (2) (.333)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Ismael Mena (.244/.312/.354) began heating up at the plate on July 30th. In the 4 games since he has gone 9-for-16 with a pair of homers to raise his average up from .167. Mena was signed for a huge $2.2M bonus by San Diego as a raw, projectable athlete with good speed and the frame to add power. Mena is reportedly in the process of adjusting his game as his body has filled out, still relying on a lot of small ball tendencies despite growing into a fairly powerful specimen.

Reggie Preciado (.373/.436/.530) has never really stopped hitting down in Mesa. Sure, he got off to a scorching start and cooled a bit, but he’s remained a steady contributor throughout the first 6 weeks of the ACL season.

Shortstop Luis Vazquez returns on a rehab assignment after going down with an injury 4 games into the season at South Bend.

DSL

Cubs Blue SUSP

Mets2 6, Cubs Red 4