NEWSLETTER
The US Team blew away the World Team 17-5, but I am not too interested in the final score of the Futures Game. My focus is almost entirely on Jae-Hoon Ha, the plus-plus defensive center fielder who started in the prospect showcase. Ha was definitely one of the biggest stars for the World Team, and he did the damage with his bat.
Ha finished the contest 2 for 2 with a single and a home run. That home run, a two run shot in the second inning, came off Gerrit Cole, one of the of the best pitching prospects in all the minors. Ha’s homer put the World Team up 3-0. (The single, by the way, came off the top pitching prospect in baseball, Dylan Bundy.) For the international guys, it was all downhill from there.
While Ha’s greatest value is going to continue to come from his glove, don’t assume he’ll be another Tony Campana at the plate. He has hit well off lefties in particular this season for a split line of .302/.368/.384 against LHP, and given that he is still only 21 I think he’ll add more power as he continues to progress. I still see Ha as a younger version of Reed Johnson; he’s a fantastic defensive outfielder with a enough of a bat to be valuable if used properly. His future definitely seems to be as a fourth outfielder, but within that role I think he has a bright future.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Iowa scored in the bottom of the ninth to end the first half with a 6-5 win.
Tennessee – Tennessee scored three times in the fifth inning as they won 5-3.
Daytona – Daytona scored all their runs in the last two innings as they pulled out a 5-2 win.
Peoria – The Chiefs were shut out 3-0.
Boise – The Hawks lost a rain shortened affair 10-1.
Arizona – The AZL Cubs rallied in the ninth to tie the game, and then won it in the bottom of the eleventh 6-5.
Performances of the Day
Other Minor League Notes
Farm System Standings
AAA – Iowa Cubs : 38 – 53.
Pacific Coast League American Northern Division – Third Place: 18.0 Games Behind.
AA – Tennessee Smokies : 8-10
Southern League North Division – Fourth Place : 3.0 Game Behind
High A – Daytona Cubs : 9-9
Florida State League North Division – Fourth Place : 1.5 Games Behind
Low A – Peoria Chiefs : 6-11
Midwest League Eastern Division – Third Place : 4.0 Game Behind
Short-Season A – Boise Hawks : 8 – 16
Northwest League East Division – Third Place : 6.0 Games Behind
Rookie League – AZL Cubs : 12 – 4
Arizona Rookie League East – First Place (tie) : 0.0 Games Behind
