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Daily Cubs Minors Recap: Steele and pen combine for shutout; Lugo and Roberts continue dominant runs for Tennessee; Cabrera fires 5 no-hit innings

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Iowa 2, Louisville 0

Top Performers

Justin Steele: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K (W, 1-0, 1.21)
Ryan Meisinger: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K (4.56)
Tony Cingrani: IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (0.00)

Ben Leeper: IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (S, 2, 1.53)
Frank Schwindel: 1-3, 2 RBI (.189)
Andrew Romine: 2-4 (.311)

Abiatal Avelino: 2-4 (.280)
Johneshwy Fargas: 2-4 (.275)
Ian Miller: 1-2, R (.286)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Firing 72 pitches over 5 innings, Justin Steele looks extremely comfortable and confident in his transition back to a starting pitcher. The same aggressive mentality which suited him so well out of the Chicago pen earlier this year (along with the new slider) has continued to work for him in the Iowa rotation. He’s also maintained his velocity jump (touching 97) with the move. Should the Cubs trade a starting pitcher at the deadline today, Steele looks ready for the challenge of returning to Chicago. He’s still not fully stretched out, but he should start throwing 80-90 pitches next time through, be it in Iowa or Chicago.

Final line for Justin Steele: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 K, 0 BB

His longest start of the season. And if you are worried about him maintaining his velocity and stuff, he retired his last eight hitters.

He’s ready.

— Alex Cohen (@voiceofcohen)

July 30, 2021

I missed Tony Cingrani‘s one inning of work, just as I have missed all of his outings since he joined Iowa earlier this month. I need to make sure I catch one soon. The veteran has not allowed an earned run in his first 6 games (5 IP).

Ben Leeper has bounced back after a couple of outings where he gave up solo homers last week. The fastball is sitting around 96-97 with carry and cut. He’s been improving his command of his upper-80s slider with hard downward tilt, and mixing in some high-70s curves as well. The Cubs will likely give 40-man roster members Manuel Rodriguez, Trevor Megill, and Tommy Nance opportunities during the second half as they look to replace Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin and Craig Kimbrel at the back of the Chicago bullpen, but it is likely a couple of 40-man spots are opened up as well, giving Leeper a chance to grab one, even if he will not be Rule 5 eligible for some time. My guess is though the Cubs might prioritize an opportunity for Ethan Roberts, Dakota Mekkes, Michael Rucker, and perhaps even Cingrani, who will be Rule 5 eligible or free agents at the end of the season.

Greg Deichmann made his debut in RF and the leadoff spot for Iowa.

Tennessee 2, Chattanooga 1

Top Performers

Luis Lugo: 5 IP, 5 H, R, BB, 6 K (W, 4-4, 4.44)

Brendon Little: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (3.78)
Ethan Roberts: 1.1 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (S, 4, 2.03)
Brennen Davis: 2-2, BB, HBP (.266)

Cam Balego: 1-2, RBI, 2 BB (.261)
Zach Davis: 2-3, SB (9), CS (3) (.282)
Nelson Maldonado: 2-4, 2 R (.308)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

I don’t know what’s gotten into Luis Lugo, but after being perhaps the worst pitcher in the org over the first month of the season, he’s maybe been their best since mid-June. Over his last 8 outings (30 IP) he’s allowed just 5 runs (3 earned) on 19 hits and 14 walks, while punching out 37. That’s a 0.90 ERA.

His 15.2 inning scoreless streak may have been snapped last time out, but Ethan Roberts got right back on track in this one, to earn his 4th save. As relievers begin filtering up from Iowa to replace traded bullpen arms in Chicago, I would expect Roberts to be the first callup to Iowa.

High-A

Quad Cities 11, South Bend 3

Top Performers

Bryce Ball: 2-4, 2B, R (.158)
Scott McKeon: 2-4, R, RBI (.095)
Delvin Zinn: 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB (.234)

D.J. Artis: 2-4 (.209)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

South Bend figures to receive some starting pitching help soon in the form of recently acquired LHP Bailey Horn and RHP Alexander Vizcaíno. Vizcaíno is 24-years old and already on the 40-man roster, so I would expect the Cubs would like to push him to AA at some point, but he had just gotten on the hill for the Yankees High-A affiliate after battling a shoulder issue this spring, so for the time being the Cubs may send him to the equivalent level as he works his way back.

Low-A

Myrtle Beach 9, Augusta 4

Top Performers

Ezequiel Pagan: 3-5, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI, SB (2) (.294)
Matt Warkentin: 2-4, 2B, HR (2), R, 4 RBI (.200)
Luis Verdugo: 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI (.177)

Yohendrick Pinango: 2-5, 2B, R, SB (2) (.261)
Jordan Nwogu: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI (.212)
Alberto Sojo: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 0 K (W, 1-0, 4.40)

Carlos Ocampo: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (S, 3, 5.29)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

You aren’t going to find many starker contrasts in physical makeup than the two guys who homered for the Pelicans last night. Matt Warkentin is a mountainous 6’6″ 250 right handed first baseman. While Ezequiel Pagan (.315/.368/.480) is a wiry 6’1″ ~170 pound center fielder who swings from the left side. Warkentin is a former two-way Indy ball signing who isn’t much in the field. Pagan is a former 13th round sleeper prospect out of Puerto Rico who has been pretty good at the plate for Myrtle Beach out of the leadoff spot (and he lit up the AZL in a short stint). The 21-year old spent both 2018 and 19 in Mesa as he improved his size and strength. He didn’t hit much the first year, but picked up the pace the next season, and now looks even a little stronger now. He’s also a pretty good defender with above average speed.

After reaching in all 5 of his plate appearances Wednesday (a homer and 4 walks), Jordan Nwogu (.212/.327/.400) doubled and singled on Thursday. His overall numbers still appear kinda paltry, but his .280/.398/.585 line in July is among the best in the org. He’s really started to get dialed in. He’s on time with his bat through the hitting zone and being more selective at the plate. He’s an exciting athlete and one of the strongest guys in the system so it is nice to see him battle through the issues he had the first 6 or 7 weeks of the season.

AZL

Giants 1, Cubs 0 (Game 1)

Giants 4, Cubs 0 (Game 2)

Top Performers