I seem to remember reading that under Epstein and Hoyer the Cubs would be taking a more patient approach to promoting players. They would not rush anyone as the Hendry front office was sometimes accused of doing, but would allow their players plenty of time to develop at each level. And then they met Matthew Spencer.
The converted outfielder started his first season a pitcher with Boise. That lasted three games and 4.1 innings.
He then moved up to Peoria. I hope he did not bother to unpack, because he pitched a grand total of two innings in one game for the Chiefs before he was promoted again.
Yesterday marked his debut with High-A Daytona. He did not pitch particularly well in his two innings, but I honestly don’t know if that is a credit to the opposing hitters or a result of the frantic pace of the near coast-to-coast promotions. Regardless, I think he did pitch poorly enough to earn a second game in Daytona. If that game goes very well, though, I would not be shocked if he was promoted yet again.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Iowa rallied in the ninth but came up a run short. The Cubs fell 4-3. Tennessee – Strong pitching led the Smokies to a 3-2 win. Daytona – Daytona did not have much offense in this 5-2 loss. Peoria – Peoria dropped the final game of the series 9-5. Boise – It was a hitters night in Idaho as Boise won 12-6. Arizona – Arizona opened up an early lead and was able to hang on for the 12-8 win.
Performances of the Day
[Iowa] Brett Jackson had another Brett Jackson game. He struck twice in four at bats, but when he wasn’t striking out he hit a double, a home run, stole his 16th base of the season, and drew a walk.
[Iowa] Jeff Beliveau picked up the final five outs of this game, four of them by strikeout.
[Tennessee] It may not have been his best start, but Eric Jokisch allowed just two runs on seven hits in seven innings of work to keep his guys in the game. Kevin Rhoderick got the win by pitching two hitless innings.
[Tennessee] The Smokies’ scoring was bookended by home runs. Michael Burgess got things started with a solo shot in the third, and Logan Watkins put the Smokies ahead with a home run in the eighth.
[Daytona] Even though Kyler Burke struck out six in his four innings on the mound, he took the loss.
[Peoria] Zach Rosscup seems to be rebounding well from his arm surgery. He pitched two innings for the Chiefs in this game, striking out five.
[Arizona] Daniel Vogelbach was 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. Shortstop prospect Carlos Penalver also had three hits and a double.
Other Minor League Notes
How fast things change. At the beginning of this season, any time Josh Vitters managed to walk twice in a week it was first paragraph, headline stuff. On Saturday he walked twice in a game, and here I am burying the story in the ‘Other Notes’ section. He is on pace to obliterate his career high for walks in a season.
The Tennessee Smokies are in a three way tie for second place in their division, just two games behind league leading Chattanooga. Their next three games are in Chattanooga. If you want a taste of Cubs’ baseball with playoff implications, tune into the Tennessee Smokies July 1-3. As always, the radio feed will be free online through the Smokies website.
A couple of outfielders arrived recently in Boise. Bijan Rademacher appeared in three games for Arizona before being promoted to the Northwest League where he has so far played well. Trey Martin has also been sent up to Boise and was 1 for 5 in his first game there.
Farm System Standings
AAA – Iowa Cubs : 34 – 49.
Pacific Coast League American Northern Division – Second Place: 18.0 Games Behind.
AA – Tennessee Smokies : 5-5
Southern League North Division – Second Place (tie) : 2.0 Game Behind
High A – Daytona Cubs : 6-4
Florida State League North Division – Second Place : 0.5 Games Behind
Low A – Peoria Chiefs : 3-6
Midwest League Eastern Division – Fourth Place : 3.0 Game Behind
Short-Season A – Boise Hawks : 6 – 10
Northwest League East Division – Third Place : 3.0 Games Behind
Rookie League – AZL Cubs : 7 – 2
Arizona Rookie League East – Second Place : 1.0 Games Behind
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NEWSLETTER
I seem to remember reading that under Epstein and Hoyer the Cubs would be taking a more patient approach to promoting players. They would not rush anyone as the Hendry front office was sometimes accused of doing, but would allow their players plenty of time to develop at each level. And then they met Matthew Spencer.
