I will have a trade season wrap up that looks at each of the new members of the farm system and the status of the Cubs’ farm system now that these deals are made, but it will be a few days in coming. In short, I’m fairly happy. I did not realistically think the Cubs could land a new member of their Top 10 without dealing Garza, and that is exactly what they accomplished with Arodys Vizcaino. The Cubs’ new third base prospect Christian Villanueva is a very solid prospect in his own right, although I suspect his long term position may be second rather than third. And don’t count out those other pitchers. All in all, it was a good batch of trades.
And the Cubs are not done yet. Dealing Matt Garza, if it happens, will almost certainly have to wait for the off season, but Alfonso Soriano could likely be moved on waivers in August. A deal for Soriano could come as soon as this week and would likely net the Cubs at least one prospect with legitimate major league potential.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Once again, Iowa’s offense provided too little. They lost 5-3.
Tennessee – The Smokies game was suspended in the fourth inning with Tennessee leading 2-1.
Daytona – Daytona won again, this time by a final of 5-4.
Peoria – Peoria kept it close for a time, but ultimately lost 5-1.
Boise – Spokane rallied to tie it up in the eighth, but Boise still took sole possession of first place with a 10-9 win.
Arizona – The Cubs scored all eight runs in their final three innings to beat the AZL Royals 8-2.
Performances of the Day
[Iowa] After mysteriously leaving the previous game early, Brett Jackson was back in the lineup for the Cubs. He doubled and walked.
[Iowa] Dave Sappelt had a very good game. He finished 3 for 4 with two doubles and his 14th stolen base.
[Daytona] Hunter Cervenka pitched two more innings, and again he did not allow a run. His High A ERA remains 0.00.
[Daytona] Timothy Saunders had three hits, including a double. His High-A average is now .294.
[Daytona] John Andreoli and Ronald Torreyes both continued their hot hitting with two hits apiece. Andreoli tripled (his seventh), and Torreyes added a double.
[Peoria] Michael Jensen struck out six over five innings while giving up just two runs on three hits.
[Peoria] Bijan Rademacher and Javier Baez both had two hits for the Chiefs.
[Boise] Daniel Vogelbach hit his first home run as a member of the Hawks in this game.
[Boise] Stephen Bruno and Jeimer Candelario both had three hits for the Hawks. Candelario’s game included his sixth double.
[Arizona] Carl Lang, Jasvir Rakkar, and Daniel Adrian all held the Royals scoreless while averaging a strikeout per inning in each of their stints on the mound.
[Arizona] Jorge Soler did not have a hit, but he did pick up his third stolen base.
[Arizona] Three different Cubs, Yasiel Balaguert, Ben Carhart, and Daniel Lockhart, all had two hits in this game.
Other Minor League Notes
Greg Rohan has been promoted from Tennessee to Iowa. Rohan was not in Tennessee long, but the corner infield and outfielder never stopped hitting when he was moved from Daytona to Double A a little earlier in the season. I suspect he will see time at first, third, and in left for the Iowa Cubs, but his primary position is likely to be first base. The Triple A Cubs have not had an everyday first baseman since Anthony Rizzo was called up.
If Dave Sappelt has not been called up yet, he is likely to be promoted soon. He’s playing the best baseball he’s played all season right now, and he is a natural fit to replace Reed Johnson as the Cubs’ fourth/fifth outfielder.
Albert Almora started the game in center field, but was replaced very early. There is no official word as the cause of Almora being lifted, but it appears to be a minor injury. For now, consider him day to day until we learn something more definite.
Farm System Standings
AAA – Iowa Cubs : 42 – 69.
Pacific Coast League American Northern Division – Fourth Place: 23.0 Games Behind.
AA – Tennessee Smokies : 17-20
Southern League North Division – Third Place : 5.0 Games Behind
High A – Daytona Cubs : 18-21
Florida State League North Division – Fifth Place : 6.0 Games Behind
Low A – Peoria Chiefs : 15-22
Midwest League Eastern Division – Fifth Place : 5.0 Game Behind
Short-Season A – Boise Hawks : 5-2
Northwest League East Division – First Place : 1.0 Game Ahead
Rookie League – AZL Cubs : 21 – 10
Arizona Rookie League East – First Place : 0.5 Games Ahead
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