Since the Cubs didn’t play yesterday, let’s dust this off.
El Paso Chihuahuas 2 @ Iowa Cubs 6
Prospecting
Arismendy Alcantara went 2-5 with an RBI and 2 strikeouts, putting his season totals at .280/.322/.506. It’s the most power he’s shown in his career, but the lack of walks is a serious issue that threatens his future as an everyday player. His walk rate is currently 6.2%, a serious drop from his 10.9% rate last year. It’s not overly concerning (his ISO is up 50 points from last year, which was itself a career high), but it will need to improve if Alcantara wants to be a first-division player.
Javier Baez went 1-3 with an IBB, a SB, and a SO. On the season, Baez sports a .217/.273/.425 and his problems have been well discussed. In his last 10 games, he’s .105/.146/.263/useless.
Kris Bryant went 1-4 with a 2-run blast in the 7th inning to put the game out of reach. He also struck out. That’s a 1.250 OPS, which is, hilariously, an improvement over is Tennessee final line (.355/.458/.702, holy shit).
On the Bump
Tsuyoshi Wada went 6.2 strong inning, surrendering a bomb and 2 walks but striking out 7. Yoanner Negrin got the 7-out save with 4 K and a walk.
Chattanooga Lookouts 3 @ Tennessee Smokies 4
Prospecting
Christian Villanueva was demoted to AA and he was mad. He batted cleanup, went 2-5, and drove in the game-winning RBI. He’s had a rough year, but the talent is still there as a role-4 guy.
Stephen Bruno, one of my pet prospects, went 2-3 with a walk. People would be talking about him if he didn’t play beside Rafa Lopez and Kris Bryant; he’s had a sublime season at .297/.383/.474. He’s another role-4 guy when it’s all said and done, but there’s a whisper of a chance that he’s more than that, and for a 2012 7th-round draftee, I’ll take it.
Rubi Silva went deep and added 2 other hits to his impressive performance. Silva is almost just an org guy at this point, because he just can not draw a walk (and the power is evaporating).
On the Bump
Nick Struck got knocked around…for Chattanooga. He doesn’t play for the Cubs org anymore. We had Dae-Eun Rhee, who was serviceable in 6 innings (1 of each of a HR, BB, and SO). Frank Batista got the win, also newly demoted from Iowa.
Daytona Cubs 7 @ Brevard County Manatees 4
Prospecting
Albert Almora‘s luster sure has left, hasn’t it? He doubled and singled in this game, raising his average to .244/.267/.323. At this point, he’ll repeat A+ next year. He has (in my opinion) been more disappointing than even Soler, who hasn’t shown he’s not good, just hurt. It’s not just that he’s been awful, it’s that he’s getting worse. His OPS in June is .412, which is Barney-esque.
Dan Vogelbach, on the other hand, is starting to really turn it on. He went 3-5 with a double and a dinger, putting his season line at .266/.354/.414. Vogelbach had a similar trajectory last season, starting off pretty poorly and eventually closing with a respectable line. Vogelbach will probably play in A+ all year, and hope to regain some of the power he showed in 2012.
Gioskar Amaya went 1-3 with a walk and a RBI. He also stole a base.
On the Bump
Felix Pena had the start and was soundly rocked for 4 runs in 10 outs. Starling Peralta came on in relief and wen 4.2 perfect innings. Andrew McKirahan recorded his 6th save.
Cedar Rapids Kernels 0 @ Kane County Cougars 7 (5 inn.)
Prospecting
Jacob Hannemann went 2-4 with a bomb in this game. Kyle Schwarber went a mere 1-3 in his Kane County debut. Slacker. Yasiel Balaguert has had a rough year, and he went 1-3. Jeimer Candelario was demoted to A ball and went hitless (the only player to do so for the Cougs).
Daury Torrez pitched a 3-hit CGSHO.
Boise Hawks 7 @ Eugene Emeralds 8
Justin Marra destroys low-A pitching, this time going 2-6 with a boom and a double.
Everyone else on this team is eh.