A heads-up: I will be moving into my new condo on Monday, so I’ll likely be pretty busy the next several days, and I may not be able to do my regular recap postings.

AAA

Omaha 2, Iowa 1

Game Recap

The I-Cubs dropped a surprising pitcher’s duel. Both starters entered the game with inflated ERAs but each turned in strong performances last night. Iowa was unable to capitalize on speedy leadoff man Zach Davis reaching base three times. The team went 1-for-7 with RiSP.

Top Performers

• Mike Hauschild: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K (L, 0-6, 6.14)
• Ryan Kellogg: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (3.72)
• Zach Davis: 1-2, 2B, 2 BB (.300)
• Levi Jordan: 1-3, 2B, R (.200)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

On an interesting note, Jared Young started at 3B for the I-Cubs last night. It was his first start outside of 1B/COF/DH since he played 2 games at 2B in 2018. He was primarily a middle infielder in college and started 31 of his first 35 pro games there as well. It would help him earn a potential bench role if he can regain some defensive versatility.

Not bad: pic.twitter.com/MuLzKyMUjC

— Brad (@ballskwok)

August 13, 2021

AA

Rocket City 7, Tennessee 3

Game Recap

It wasn’t a great night for the Smokies, but it certainly was for Nelson Velazquez. Two home runs, a double, and a single gave him 11 total bases in a perfect 4-for-4 outing. The young outfielder has had a bit of a streaky season at the plate, but he’s been on a tear since joining Tennessee 9 games ago (.375/.444/.938 with 4 doubles, a triple and 4 homers). Overall, he is slashing .273/.334/.509 with 35 XBH (16 HR).

This first one registered a 111 exit velo. Yeah, he’s got some bat speed and strength.

Nelson Velazquez Just ripped a ball that got out in a hurry. He is now a triple shy of the cycle for AA Tennessee pic.twitter.com/s5yerdUNry

— Todd (@CubsCentral08)

August 13, 2021

Oppo: pic.twitter.com/jW38WunVHe

— Brad (@ballskwok)

August 13, 2021

Top Performers

• Nelson Velazquez: 4-4, 2B, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI (.375)
• Christopher Morel: 1-3, BB (.205)
• Brennen Davis: 1-4, 2B, R (.275)
• Dakota Chalmers: 4.2 IP, 5 H, R, 4 BB, 3 K (4.14)
• Brendon Little: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K (3.38)

High-A

South Bend 3, Fort Wayne 0

Game Recap

Congratulations go out to Alexander Vizcaíno, Joe Nahas, and Burl Carraway on their combined no-hit effort. I didn’t get a chance to watch the game as I was babysitting my neice and nephew last night, but from what I understand it was an impressive performance from all three last night, Nahas in particular, who carried the load for six innings.

Fly the W! It’s a @SBCubs no-hitter.@Cubs prospects Alexander Vizcaíno, Joe Nahas and Burl Carraway combine for the gem! pic.twitter.com/UKrmfbWWA1

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB)

August 13, 2021

With the @SBCubs no-hitter tonight, they join the @Cubs, @IowaCubs (2x) and @Pelicanbaseball as full-season teams with no-hitters this year in the Cubs system. That’s really impressive.

4 down, 1 to go. You got this, @smokiesbaseball. https://t.co/LBE57JIjfj

— Alex Cohen (@voiceofcohen)

August 13, 2021

Bryce Windham and Yonathan Perlaza made sure their efforts did not go to waste. Windham singled home the winning run in the 7th, with Perlaza driving home two more on a double later in the inning. Windham has been red hot since returning from injury earlier this week and Perlaza is in the midst of a 19-game on-base streak.

Top Performers

• Alexander Vizcaíno: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, HBP, 3 K (4.91)
• Joe Nahas: 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K (W, 2-1, 3.63)
• Burl Carraway: IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K (S, 2, 7.54)
• Tyler Durna: 2-4, 2B, R (.233)
• Yonathan Perlaza: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI (.255)
• Harrison Wenson: 1-2, HBP (.187)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

As always a quick shout out needs to go to the catcher in a No-Hitter. Harrison Wenson (.175/.284/.321) was a veteran (26 years old) signing the Cubs made after the season began as they tried to cope with injuries at the position. He can’t hit at all, but Todd Johnson (writer for Cubs Central/Cubs Insider who attends South Bend games regularly) has often praised Wenson’s ability to work with pitchers, both in games and during bullpen sessions. They apparently just absolutely love the guy. A future coach in the making?

We often talk about the undrafted free agent signings the Cubs made last year, and how a handful are off to great starts, but there is always the asterisk attached to those guys in that they really wouldn’t have been undrafted free agents in a normal year. Ben Leeper, for instance, if I read between the lines in interviews of Cubs front office personnel, was likely to have been the Cubs 6th round pick (had their been a 6th round in 2020).

That same asterisk does not apply to Joe Nahas (4-2, 3.29, in 18 G, 6 GS, between MB/SB). He was a true undrafted free agent signed in 2019 as a late season helium guy out of Georgia Southern. The Cubs liked him so much in fact, that they used money from their bonus pool to sing him above the 125K maximum, a very rare situation. He’s got a powerful arm, a good breaking ball, and a developing changeup. His command is still a work in progress, but he’s made very good strides harnessing his control this year.

I had considered him a pure reliever in 2019, but the Cubs have stretched him out, no doubt to get him more innings for work on his secondaries and control (63 IP, 57 H, 23 ER, 21 BB, 65 K). But also, it gives pitchers more opportunity to work in and out of jams, a valuable skill for relievers. The 21-year old is definitely an arm to keep an eye on over the next couple of years. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him open 2022 in AA, before finishing the year in AAA. A MLB opportunity could come as soon as 2023.

I still haven’t had much time to dig in on Alexander Vizcaíno, but from the little I’ve seen, the reports of a plus changeup are legit. I’ve even seen some reports it is a plus-plus offering. I’ll plan to spend a little more time on him in the coming weeks after my move.

Low-A

Charleston 8, Myrtle Beach 0

Top Performers

• Jarod Wright: 4 IP, 2 H, R, 2 BB, 6 K (4.06)
• Jacob Wetzel: 1-3, HBP (.235)

ACL

Cubs 9, Rockies 8

Top Performers

• Juan Mora: 1-2, 3B, 4 R, RBI, 4 BB, SB (4) (.438)
• Miguel Fabrizio: 3-5, R, 2 RBI, BB (.371)
• Reggie Preciado: 3-6, 2B, R (.359)
• James Triantos: 2-5, R, BB, SB (1) (.167)
• Peter Matt: 1-4, BB (.167)
• Andricson Salvador: 4 IP, 2H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K (1.93)
• Angel Gonzalez: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K (10.93)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Second round pick James Triantos recorded his first two career hits, scored his first run, and stole his first base.

I don’t really have any information on 2B Juan Mora (.438/.600/.656) and C Miguel Fabrizio (.371/.443/.471). They are 21 and 20 years old respectively. They both are coming off solid overage DSL seasons in 2019, but I’ve yet to hear a scouting report or any buzz about either, despite the excellent ACL seasons they are having. They didn’t get a chance in Myrtle Beach, even when injuries opened up opportunities at both positions, and neither has been a full-time start in Mesa, so that likely indicates what the organization feels is their long term outlook. But props to both of them for making the most of their opportunities this season.

DSL

Cubs Blue PPD

Cubs Red PPD