Author: Obstructed View Staff

Ronald Torreyes hit 2-5 with a double and a pair of RBI's. 2012 pick Tim Saunders who is being groomed for a super utility role got 3 hits in 4 AB's. AJ Morris earned another save striking out two in 1 IP.

Javier Baez went 2-4 and struck out twice. Michael Jensen struck out 6 in 5 while allowing 2 ER.

Jeimer Candelario had a nice game as he went 3-4 with 3 RBI's after hitting a double off the wall. Dan Vogelbach hit his first HR as a Boise Hawk and is batting .346 since his promotion. Marco Hernandez hit a towering shot to RF his 3rd of the season.

Albert Almora was removed with a groin injury after 1 AB last night. Ben Carhart was 2-3 with a pair of walks. Carhart is a 2012 pick who should move up to a more age appropriate level. So far he is sporting a .392/.479/.532 line.

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Alberto Cabrera struck out 4 in 2.1 IP. Thats about it. Brett Jackson was pulled as part of a double switch but I think he is staying put. Sappelt might guy the call up.

Smokies Game 1

Matt Szczur has done nothing but hit since moving up to AA to fill in for the injured Jae Hoon Ha. Last night he went 3-4 with a double. Logan Watkins was 2-4 with his 20th stolen base. Erick Jokisch pitched a complete game going 7 innings and allowing 3 ER.

Game 2

nothing worth writing about.

PJ Francescon snapped out of his funk and delivered a good start pitching 6 shutout innings while striking out 6 and allowing 5 total baserunners. Maybe Francescon just needed to steal from the Children's Miracle Network tip jar to get his mojo back. On the hitting side of things Ronald Torreyes and Rubi Silva led the charge. Torreyes was 2-5 with a triple, stolen base # 13 and Silva went 3-4.

Pin Chieh Chen continues hit hot streak at the plate as he collected 4 hits in 5 AB's last night. He raised his AVG to .267. Baez was 1-4 with a double. MB21 approved pitcher Joseph Zeller worked 5.1 innings and the only run he gave up with on a solo HR. He struck out 1 batter. Zeller has a 1.65 ERA in Peoria.

Boise & AZL

No Game.

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Beef Castle was 1-3 with a BB and his 6th HR of the year. Vitters went 1-5 with a SB which is a rarity and Jay Jackson continues to suck in every single role possible giving up 3 ER in .1 IP to lose the game.

Smokies

No Game

Ronald Torreyes has resurrected his prospect status. After a horrible start he has been his usual contact heavy self hitting over .300 in both June and July. Last night he hit 3-4 with a BB and is now batting .263/.326.382 on the year. Torreyes has a little bit of pop but will need to keep that batting average around .300 to maintain much value. Matt Loosen struggled a bit giving up 4 ER in 5 IP but K-State man AJ Morris came in and shut down the opposition to earn his 3rd save of the year.

Javier Baez was 1-3 with a BB and a pair of RBI's. After not walking in over a month Baez now has 2 in the last 3 games so let's hope he keeps it up. Pin Chieh Chen was 3-3 with two walks of his own. Chen would be interesting if he wasn't so damn small. He has zero power so utility is best you can hope for. Dustin Geiger went 2-4 with his 11th HR of the season.

Gioskar Amaya is the best bat in Boise and that's saying something with this team. Yesterday Amaya hit his 5th HR of the year in addition to a walk & his 8th SB. Amaya is sporting a .939 OPS and will be a top 10 guy in our system heading into next season. Ian Dickson and Hunter Ackerman combined for a shutout. Dickson started and struck out 4 in 5 IP and Ackerman fanned 6 in his 4 IP and only gave up one hit.

Jorge Soler hit 1-3 with a walk and Trevor Gretzky was 2-4. Gretzky hasn't done much a pro and with Rock Shoulders and Dan Vogelbach ahead of him at 1B he needs to move to the OF and start hitting to have much of a chance. Last night marked the long awaited debut of 2011 overslot pick Dillon Maples who has been out since spring with elbow issues. It started in typical Cub fashion

Walk

HBP

Double Steal

Walk

Then Maples was able to get a strikeout and a double play to escape the jam. 2012 pick Paul Blackburn pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless ball and struck out 2 batters.

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AZL Cubs

Shawon Dunston, Jr.'s minor league career has not gotten off to a fast start. He was 0-4 last night. After spending 71 plate appearances at Boise he was demoted to the AZL Cubs where he's been an improved hitter, but nothing that gets you excited. On the season he's hit .228/.291/.347. Albert Almora was 1-4 with a double and now has 3 hits in 17 at-bats. Jorge Soler was 2-4 and after 6 games he's hitting .292/.320/.542. Lendy Castillo threw 4 solid innings on assignment after contracting David Patton Syndrome. The Cubs will have to activate Castillo within 14 days or they have to offer him back to Philly. Considering he's been in the AZL for two weeks, I don't think the Cubs care one way or the other. Nor should they.

Boise

Gioskar Amaya was 2-5 with a triple and is now hitting .322/.388/.534. He and Marco Hernandez were similarly ranked by evaluators prior to this season, but Amaya has separated himself from Hernandez who was 2-4 last night, but after a miserable time in Peoria, he only has a .600 OPS at Boise. Hernandez was playing SS while Amaya was at 2nd last night. Dan Vogelbach has 8 hits in 4 games and 3 of them are doubles. Dude can hit.

Peoria

Wes Darvill was 2-4, but isn't hitting very well. Javier Baez continues to do what Baez does. He was 2-3 with a home run and a walk. The home run was the 11th of the season in just 50 games. He's added 8 doubles and 5 triples too. He's OPS'ing over 1.000 now. Zach Cates threw 5.1 innings, allowed 3 hits while striking out 7 and walking just 1. Sheldon McDonald and combined for 3.2 innings allowing just 2 hits, no runs, walking nobody and striking nobody out.

Daytona

Ronald Torreyes was hitless and the Daytona Cubs just got a less less interesting when Jae-Hoon Ha when unfortunately injured. Matt Szczur was promoted to AA to take his spot so there's not much to talk about with this team in my opinion. Robert Whitenack had a solid start, which reduced his ERA to 6.63 so there's that.

Tennessee

Szczur led off and played CF last night, but was 0-4 with a couple strikeouts. His promotion was deserved on its own and it's unfortunate how he got to Tennessee, but he's there. He hit better than anyone could have expected at Daytona. He transformed himself into one of the organization's more patient hitters (13.4% walk rate) and he has the tools to play CF and be a productive leadoff hitter at the big league level. Junior Lake was 2-4 with a couple doubles and is now hitting .293/.343/.438. Greg Rohan and Juan Apodaca each added a couple hits and Logan Watkins had 1. Zach Rosscup struckout 6 in 3.2 innigns of relief and didn't allow a hit. He did allow a couple walks and a couple runs.

Iowa

Not sure why it's even said anymore, but Brett Jackson struckout again last night. Just once this time. He's struckout in 10 consecutive games and has totaled 17 strikeouts over that time. July 17th is the only game in July in which he's played and didn't strikeout. Jackson's game log on First Inning goes back to June 21st and that July 17th game is the only game he didn't strikeout. Josh Vitters was 1-4 with a walk and some guy named Chris Volstad, can't be the Chris Volstad, actually pitched a very good game. He threw 8 scoreless innings, allowed 4 hits, 3 walks and 5 strikeouts.

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Josh Vitters had a big game going 3-4 with a BB. Vitters was just a HR shy of the cycle and his OPS now sits at .869. Brett Jackson had another 3 strikeout performance. He needs less that 60 more to make the 200 k mark for the year.

Smokies

Junior Lake continues his hot streak and racked up 3 hits in 5 AB's yesterday. He also stole a pair of bases so a hearty Kudos to Mr. Lake. Both Justin Bour and The Greg of Rohan hit HR's with Rohan seeing some time in the OF.

Matt Szczur was 2-4 with a BB and his OBP is just shy of .400. With Jae Hoon Ha's scary injury last night we might see Szczur move up and he has certainly earned it. John Andreoli was 2-3 with a BB. Andreoli has zero power but he takes his walks and has good speed and might make it one day as a reserve OF. Austin Kirk is repeating his 2011 season in which he dominates in the first half and getting shelled in the 2nd. Kirk walked 5 and gave up 4 ER in 6 IP last night and his ERA for July is 5.67.

Javier Baez was 2-2 with a pair of RBI's and his now slugging .599 with an OPS just south of 1.000. Michael Jensen had a good start working 6 IP and giving up a pair of runs while striking out 6.

I picked the wrong night to wach a Boise Hawks game as they were shut out and lost 1-0. Dan Vogelbach had a good eye at the plate and very very fast hands. He just missed a HR right center and had a gem of an AB vs the Yakima closer. He worked the count, fouled off a bunch of pitches and then ripped single into RF.

Jorge Soler drew his first walk and stole a base & Garrett Schlect hit his first HR. The Rangers Joey Gallo came in as a PH and hit a HR in the bottom of the 9th his 13th already in AZL.

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Nobody really did much. Adrian Cardenas was 2-5 and I still think will be a good utility guy for us next year. Jackson was 1-4 with the required strikeout. His quest for 200 continues.

Smokies

Junior Lake is on a hot streak hitting 2 HR's last night to go with the one he hit yesterday. He also managed to walk and promptly threw up with self loathing upon making it to 1st base. Trey McNutt pitched 2 innings and struck out 3 and allowing zero base runners.

Daytona Game 1

PJ Francescon has run out of hate powered magic and got shelled last night. He gave up 6 ER in 3.2 IP while walking 4 and failing to strike out a single batter. Matt Szczur stole 3 bases.

Game 2

Matt Szczur was 2-3 and stole base # 38. His wRC+ is now 137.

Knuckleballer Jospeh Zeller had a strong outing lasting 6 innings while allowing 2 runs ( 0 earned ) and striking out 2. His ERA on the season is in Peoria 1.32. He was working out of the pen in Daytona but since moving to a starting role (and moving down a level) he has been much better. Javier Baez was 2-5 and really needs to work on take a few more walks every now and then. He also committed error # 14.

Dan Vogelbach has wasted no time getting comfortable down in Boise. Last night he went 3-5 wtih a 2B and look as agile as a cat on the base paths. Granted, his cat comp was Garfield but that's ok. Jeimer Candelario was 1-4 with a BB and Rock Shoulders was 2-4. Gioskar Amaya continues to be a hitting machine and is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Last night was 2-4 and is now hitting .328.

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Brett Jackson struck out 3 times which sucks, but he also walked and hit his 14th HR which is better. Vitters was 1-4 with a BB and all the pitchers sucked ass. The Iowa staff outside of Brooks Raley is really really bad.

Smokies

Junior Lake was 2-5 with HR and is batting ,283. The Greg Of Rohan hit his 2nd AA HR as well & not to be outdone Bob Brenly Jr hit a towering shot to raise his OPS to .668. Eric Jokisch struck out 8 batters in 5 IP and lowered his season ERA to 2.89.

Matt Loosen continues his fine season striking out 8 last night in 6 IP while allowing a pair of runs. Loosen is old for the level so we can't get too excited yet but is striking out about a batter per which is nice to see. AJ Morris fanned 3 in 2 innings of relief. Szczur was 1-3 with a BB and stole his 34th base of the year.

Peoria

No Game

Dan Vogelbach was 2-4 in his Boise debut hitting a double off the wall. Harry P said Vogelbach has a very fast bat and a comically tiny lower body so there's that. The big story was Ian Dickson allowing on a single through 6 IP while striking out 4.

Jorge Soler hit his 2nd HR last night a line drive shot that Keith Law described as a no doubter off the bat. On the mound 2012 draft picks Ryan McNeil and Paul Blackburn both made appearances with McNeil giving up 2 hits, 1 ER a BB and striking out 2 and Blackburn working two scoreless innings while striking out 1. Law mentioned that Blackburn was sitting in the 89-91 range.

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(Ed Note- Due to OV's recent acquisition by Bain Capital DylanJ's job has been retroactively outsourced. Today's update will be presented by "John" Prapalapakesh).

Iowa-

Brett Jackson struck out 3 times in 4 AB's, so you know he is getting close to MLB ready. Brooks Raley had a decent start and if Ryan Dempster ever gets over his shock and awe at being traded I wouldn't mind Raley getting a look. He's done well this season in Iowa.

Smokies

No Game

Daytona

Rainout

Yao Lin Wang made his second start since moving back to the rotation. Wang worked 3.2 IP and struck out 5 while not allowing a single run. Wang now has 46 K's in 42 IP.

Boise (As always keep in mind low minor stats don't count. So ignore the following non-information)

Tayler Scott turned in a great outing last night pitching 6 shutout innings while striking out 4 and walking 1. Scott has been the best pitcher in Boise this season but needs to work on the walks a bit. He has 17 in 37 IP. Gioskar Amaya just keeps hitting going 3-4 with a pair of stolen bases. After a strong start Jeimer Candelario has really cooled off and is now sporting a pedestrian .771 OPS. But he is also the youngest guy on the team so I'm not too worried at this point.

Albert Almora hit a crushing HR off the scoreboard last night in his first pro game. If you haven't seen the video go search around and enjoy it. Soler was 0-5 with a pair of strikeouts and in what is hopefully his last AZL game Dan Vogelbach went 1-5 with a double. Vogelbach got the call to Boise and finished his AZL season with a fake .324/.391/.686 good for a 1.078 OPS.

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Josh Vitters hit his 2nd HR in two days and is now sporting a .868 OPS. Beef Castle also hit a HR off former Cub and longtime personal favorite Angel Guzman. Chris Volstad was super shitty as always giving up 9 hits and 5 ER in 5 IP.

Smokies Game 1

This game went well into extra's with the Smokies knocking out future Cub…err Dodger prospect Zach Lee before the 4th inning. Logan Watkins went 3-6 with a walk & Jae Hoon Ha was 2-5 with a walk of his own. Michael Burgess was 1-3. The pitching was awful as Kevin Rhoderick's season and stock has imploded. We can't even make good RP's this year folks.

Game 2

Trey McNutt failed as a RP giving up 3 ER and 2 BB in 1 IP. On the bright side Zach Rosscup worked 3 scoreless innings while striking out 5. Junior Lake was 2-4 and Logan Watkins had another nice game batting 2-4 with a BB.

Daytona

PPD

Chadd Krist went 1-3 with a walk. That is literally the best thing about this game. Move along.