A seriously weird night tonight. Players out of position, pitchers pinch-hitting for outfielders, first basemen pitching, ejections and phantom errors (at least according to the boxscore). Some big prospects had big nights and some didn't. Some big guy in Iowa continues to lead all of baseball in home runs.
I do believe this may be the longest Minor League Wrap ever tonight.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs colonized the Salt Lake Bees, 12-3.
Starter J. R. Mathes improved his record to 6-3 with a textbook "quality start": three runs over six innings. Mathes gave up eight hits, walked one and struck out five.
Kevin Hart impressed and picked up his third save by pitching the final three innings. Hart didn't allow a hit or a run. He didn't walk anyone, although he did hit two batters. Hart struck out five. Hart also had an RBI double.
Catcher (yes, catcher) Jake Fox hit his baseball leading 17th home run tonight in the Beehive State. It was a three-run home run in the 7th inning. Fox was 2 for 4 tonight with a double, the homer and four RBI. Fox scored twice and walked once. Defensively, Fox had two passed balls and was 1 for 3 throwing out base stealers; nailing first baseman Matthew Brown trying to steal third on a busted hit and run play.
Shortstop Andres Blanco also homered in the seventh inning, a solo shot that was his fourth of the season. Blanco went 2 for 4 with two runs scored.
Second baseman David Macias got promoted from Peoria a few days ago and got his first hits in AAA tonight. Macias went 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored three times and had one RBI.
Right fielder Brad Snyder was 1 for 3 with a triple and a run scored, but he must have hurt himself because I can't think of any other reason why he would be pinch-hit for by pitcher Mitch Atkins.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies split a double header with the Chattanooga Lookouts, winning the first game 8-7 and losing the nightcap 5-4.
In the first game, starter Casey Coleman got battered around a bit. He allowed four runs on six hits over four innings. Coleman walked one and struck out one.
Reliever Jake Muyco returned to the Smokies tonight for the first time since quitting catching for pitching last summer. Unfortunately, his return was not a happy one as he allowed three runs in the only inning he pitched.
John Gaub was awarded the win by pitching a scoreless inning of relief. He didn't allow a hit but he did walk two. Gaub failed to record a strikeout. Brian Schlitter got his fifth save with a perfect seventh inning. Schlitter struck out one.
Third baseman Marquez Smith hit his first AA home run of the season in the first game. He went 3 for 4 in the game with two RBI and three runs scored.
Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored. Right fielder Richie Robnett was 2 for 4 with two RBI and a stolen base. Catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
In the second game, James Russell was masterful for five innings, allowing only one run on a solo home run. Russell gave up three hits total, walked only one and struck out seven. It was easily Russell's best appearance of the year.
He didn't get the win though because David Cales got rocked for three runs in the one inning he pitched. Cales gave up four hits, walked two and struck out two.
The loss went to first baseman Blake Lalli, who took the mound in an emergency capacity and allowed a run in the bottom of the seventh.
Third baseman Marquez Smith continued his big night in the second game by going 3 for 4 with a home run again. Smith scored twice and knocked two in. His solo home run in the seventh tied the game.
Shortstop Darwin Barney was 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. However, he struck out in the top of the seventh and both he and manager Ryne Sandberg were then ejected for arguing the call. In the bottom of the inning, Gameday then claimed that Barney made the error that led to the winning run after he had been ejected from the game. I notice the boxscore has now been updated to show the error was made by Marquez Smith playing out of position at shortstop.
Second baseman Tony Thomas hit his eighth home run in the second game. Thomas was 1 for 3 with a walk and the solo home run. Thomas has now homered in three of the past four games. He went 2 for 7 for the evening in both games.
Right fielder Jonathan Mota was 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Daytona Cubs
The Cubs raided the nests of the Dunedin Blue Jays, 10-3.
Andrew Cashner had his worst appearance of the season, allowing two runs in his two-inning start. Cashner gave up four hits, walked two and struck out four.
Henry Williamson got the win in relief. Williamson allowed one run on three hits over 3.1 innings. Williamson showed great control as he didn't walk (or hit) a batter and fanned six.
Center fielder Tony Campana was back in the field after his collision and went 2 for 4 with two walks. Second baseman Nate Samson had a 2 for 3 night with two walks. Samson had a pair of RBI and a pair of runs scored.
Third baseman Jovan Rosa was 2 for 3 with a double, a triple and two runs scored.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs knocked the Beloit Snappers out of their shell, 10-6.
Marcus Hatley didn't have a good start, but it was good enough for the win. Hatley allowed six runs, three earned, in his five-inning start. He was rocked for six hits, two of which were home runs. But the worst mark was the five walks he issued as compared to only two strikeouts. Still, it was good enough for the win.
Chris Huseby is finally starting to show some of the promise that made the Cubs give him that 1.3 million dollar bonus a few years ago. Huseby picked up the save with two shutout innings. He did allow three hits, but he didn't walk anyone and struck out four.
Josh Vitters continues to pummel the MWL. Tonight he was 3 for 5 with his sixth home run and his third in three games. Vitters also had a double. Vitters had three RBI and scored twice.
Kyler Burke was 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI. Shortstop Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 5 with two runs scored. Left fielder Josh Harrison had a 2 for 4 night with a double two runs scored and an RBI.
DH Cliff Andersen had his first big game since returning from the disabled list and went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.
Right fielder Nelson Perez hit his sixth home run of the season. Perez was 1 for 3 with two RBI.
Boise Hawks and AZL Cubs
Don't even think about it. They're on hiatus until late June.
0 recs | 32 comments
Jonathan Mota
I know you said people were out of position tonight so was Mota an emergency outfielder or has he been moved from the infield? Wasn’t he a 3B/SS?
CHCOWNTHECENTRAL - May 19, 2009
He's an all-around
utility guy. He’s played outfield before although he is primarily an infielder.
Josh Timmers - May 19, 2009
I think it's time for Vitters
to be called up to Daytona.
Unique - May 19, 2009
Is anyone worried about Vitters' plate discipline?
He has walked only three times in 130 PA.
Al Yellon - May 19, 2009
Lack of plate discipline is inbred in the Cub minor league system
Someday I would really like to understand how Oneri Fleita maintains employment.
BLou - May 19, 2009
I am slightly
he has 19 strikeouts to those 3 walks. Not exactly a good ratio.
But Vitters also makes ALOT of contact.
Unique - May 19, 2009
Man... I wish Vitters played SS
He could get here a lot faster.
SackMan - May 19, 2009
If Vitters could play shortstop
He’d be a Royal.
Josh Timmers - May 19, 2009
valid point
tim815 - May 19, 2009
I think it's not a lack of discipline
It is simply that at this level Josh feels he can hit almost every pitch therefore doesn’t take as many as he would if he were being challenged by quality pitchers
CHCOWNTHECENTRAL - May 19, 2009
Vitters numbers the past five games (courtesy of baseball prospectus)
Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Low-A Peoria)
Tuesday’s stats: 3-for-5, HR (7), 2 R, 2 RBI, SB
Yesterday I said that if Vitters keeps doing it, I’ll keep talking about it, so I’m holding up my end of the bargain as the 2007 first-round pick recorded his fourth consecutive game of at least three hits and a home run, something that hasn’t happened in the majors as far as our game log data is complete, which is the early 1950s. In case you missed it, the game before that was also a three-hit effort, only with no bomb. So that’s now 15-for-22 with three doubles, four home runs, in his last five contests, raising his OPS more than 200 points with a batting line of .371/.408/.598. .
gocubsgo22 - May 20, 2009
macias
peoria to iowa. quite a jump. move of convenience, or was it merited?
tim815 - May 19, 2009
Just convenience
And he’ll be back in Peoria when Matt Camp or Luis Rivas come off the DL.
Josh Timmers - May 19, 2009
I had to read it twice
in my morning paper that Jake Fox was at catcher. The guy is having a tremendous AAA season.
mrcubsfan - May 19, 2009
that qualifies him for being the jimmie foxx
of the 2009 minor league season
tim815 - May 19, 2009
A "catcher" in name only
Two passed balls in that game. It’s like putting Dave Kingman behind the plate. Sure, he can don the gear. Hell, I can don the gear.
BLou - May 19, 2009
The last time Fox caught was 2006
Now, 2 passed balls aren’t good, but I think there may have been a certain “rust” factor in there, too.
Bill Potter - May 19, 2009
correction, he played 13 games behind the plate in 2007.
Bill Potter - May 19, 2009
Looks like he's being showcased a bit
some third base, and now catcher.
Bill Potter - May 19, 2009
It does seem that way
doesn’t it?
Josh Timmers - May 19, 2009
that's about the only thing i can think of
unless Fox himself is making out the lineup cards.
Bill Potter - May 19, 2009
just so it isn't tampa's
2 dh maddon
tim815 - May 19, 2009
"Showcased" ???
More like Cubs are trying to find the best conceivable spot to hide him on the field. He’s the furthest thing removed from being a viable professional catcher. Or 3rd baseman. Or outfielder. Or 1st baseman.
BLou - May 19, 2009
Yes, showcased.
As in, the Cubs are trying to show teams that Fox can play multiple positions, so as to trade him. If he’s so porous defensively, the Cubs aren’t going to put him at catcher, that’s for sure. They would hide him at first, as they’ve been doing. Or in RF.
Either Fox asked to show that he could play other positions and was granted his wish, or the Cubs are trying to show teams that he is versatile (even if he’s not).
Bill Potter - May 19, 2009
Fox can't play one position let along multiple positions
I’d like to meet the professional scouts who are being fooled into thinking that Jake Fox is a versatile player who can play multiple positions. Let alone even one position to minimum satisfactory level.
BLou - May 19, 2009
i don't want to meet them
i want to scalp them for two C rated prospects
tim815 - May 19, 2009
I understand your opinion
But if a scout looks at Fox and sees a poor man’s Phil Nevin, it’s worth the Cubs while to let a team or two see him in order to make a trade.
Honestly, if Fox learned how to play 3B and reacquainted himself with Catcher, he would “know” how to play five positions (LF, RF, 1B, 3B, C) and hit with pop. That kind of player can fill out a Major League roster, or the Cubs could peddle that fairly easily.
Bill Potter - May 19, 2009
Well...
And I’m sure that Reed Johnson could grab a shortstop mitt and shag groundballs. Look, according to all reports Jake Fox is a significant defensive liability regardless the position on the field the Cubs try to plop him. There is a big difference between that description and what a Phil Nevin was able to do. Nevin actually became a legitimate option at catcher and 1st base. Fox can’t reacquaint himself with catcher because he was brutal at catcher to begin with in college.
BLou - May 19, 2009
He wasn't brutal at catcher in college
I don’t think you start at Michigan at catcher if you’re brutal. And the Cubs certainly wouldn’t have played him at catcher for a few years if he was brutal.
And if Phil Nevin can make himself into a decent option at first and behind the plate, why can’t Fox?
Bill Potter - May 19, 2009
Phil Nevin's dilemma early on was fundamental inability to hit
Nevin was the top pick of the Atlanta Braves and predestined to be a future star in the major leagues. That didn’t work out as Nevin could not hit his first several years in the minors. Eventually he came around as a hitter to a sufficient enough level that he was able to carve out a nice career as a versatile type who could play several positions. While Nevin was never a Gold Glover at any position, he certainly was a serviceable enough 1st baseman and 3rd baseman who could also help out at catcher on an ocassional basis. That’s a big difference from what Jake Fox is with a glove.
BLou - May 19, 2009
Nevin could hit
look at his Minor League stats (here) – he could hit fine. Strikeouts were his problem, just like Fox.
Nevin had to learn to play new positions to stick in the majors, just like Fox would need to.
We’ll just agree to disagree on this one. Also, Nevin was the 1st pick in the 1992 draft by Houston, FWIW.
Bill Potter - May 19, 2009
Nevin's problem was his attitude.
He was released by two teams and had to reinvent himself as a catcher just to get signed by someone.
Al Yellon - May 19, 2009
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