Even as we are in the midst of the minor league playoff chase (with Boise, Tennessee, and Daytona right in the middle of things), I am starting to ponder my off season writing plans. Last winter I started things off with the Prospects Progress series (like this one, for example) before shifting my focus to the initial edition of the Top 40 Prospects list. That sequence remains a possibility for this season as well.
But before I make any final plans, I would welcome your input. What would you like to see in the way of minor league coverage on Bleacher Nation this winter? I can’t promise I’ll take any particular suggestion, but I would welcome any requests or suggestions. Let me know in the comments or on Twitter.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Two pitchers combined for the shutout in Iowa’s 3-0 win. Tennessee – The Smokies gave up a run in the ninth and took a 2-1 loss. Daytona – Daytona was rained out. Kane County – The Cougars coughed up four runs in the third inning and were dealt a 7-4 loss. Boise – Boise made a late comeback, but could not quite finish the job. They lost 5-4. Arizona – The AZL Cubs gave up five in the first and never got them back in this 6-4 loss.
Performances of Note
[Iowa] Brooks Raley struck out 6 over 8 scoreless frames. He allowed just 3 hits and walked no one. Brian Schlitter struck out 2 in the ninth for his 18th save.
[Iowa] Greg Rohan, after a long time on the disabled list and rehabbing, has surfaced in Iowa. He is still looking for his first hit.
[Tennessee] Doubles by Matt Szczur and Arismendy Alcantara were the only extra base hits for the Smokies. As a team they also failed to draw a single walk.
[Kane County] Gioskar Amaya led Kane County with a double and a walk as he compiled a 2 for 4 day. Rock Shoulders also finished 2 for 4 with a double, and Giuseppe Papaccio drew a walk en route to a 2 for 3 day.
[Kane County] Rob Zastryzny gave up 5 hits in his 3.2 innings of work while walking one, but he only allowed a single run to score. Andrew McKirahan struck out 3 in 2 innings of hitless relief.
[Boise] Dillon Maples struggled last night. Through 4 innings he gave up 5 runs on 6 hits while walking 4 and striking out 3. This was his first rough start in quite a few games.
[Boise] Corbin Hoffner, on the other hand, had a very good night. He struck out 5 in his 3 innings of relief while allowing just 2 hits. Tyler Bremer struck out a pair in the final in the final inning.
[Boise] Kevin Encarnacion hit his fourth home run as a Hawk in this game. Yasiel Balaguert also had a nice game, finishing 2 for 4 with a double.
[Arizona] Orbandy Rodriguez struck out three and allowed only a hit and a walk while pitching the final two innings.
[Arizona] Arizona did not manage a single extra base hit in this game.
Other News
I am planning to take a hard look at the Cubs prospects in the Dominican and Venezuelan Summer Leagues this Sunday, but I thought there was one player in the DSL who should be called out a bit early. I’ve written about those leagues a few times this season, but I do not recall ever mentioning Shamil Ubiera. This outfielder got off to a slow start, but lately he has been tearing up the league. His August OPS is at 1.073, his second half OPS sits at .919, and for the season he has overcome his slow start to the tune of an .823. He also has 4 home runs and 13 steals, and at just 6’0″ and 190 pounds he has the promise of more power to come. Ubiera turns 21 at the end of September, and I would not be surprised to see him in Arizona next year.
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NEWSLETTER
Even as we are in the midst of the minor league playoff chase (with Boise, Tennessee, and Daytona right in the middle of things), I am starting to ponder my off season writing plans. Last winter I started things off with the Prospects Progress series (like this one, for example) before shifting my focus to the initial edition of the Top 40 Prospects list. That sequence remains a possibility for this season as well.
