The Cubs have had a number of very good pitching performances in their farm system lately, including a couple more yesterday. Particularly in the lower levels of the system, it looks like there are a lot of promising arms who are going to finish the year with a good run of innings.
It has been awhile since I did a Monday quiz, so this seems like a good time to do a pitching related one. If I’m not mistaken we’ve looked at strikeouts before, so this time we’ll take a look at walks. Or walk rates, to be specific. What I’m looking for today are the five pitchers with the lowest BB/9 (minimum of ten games). Starters and relievers are both eligible for this one.
To get these answers you will need to really know the lower levels of the system (although two of them are now in Double A). One of them is a full time starter, one has worked both in the rotation and the bullpen, and the other three are pure relievers.
One more bit of help: the next three names on the list after the five you are looking for are Erick Leal, Ryan Kellogg, and Jeremy Null. For some of you, I suspect that just removed three of your guesses from consideration.
Answers at the end of the column.[adinserter block=”1″]
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 6, Oklahoma City 4
If the Cubs are going to make an amazing comeback, beating Oklahoma City is a good place to begin.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Montgomery 7, Tennessee 5 in twelve innings.
Happ tied the game up with a single in the ninth, but the Smokies did not score again.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach 6, Carolina 0
Four pitchers combined on this shutout.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
South Bend 5, Great Lakes 2
More good pitching put the Cubs one win away from seventy.
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Eugene 6, Vancouver 2
It took six pitchers, but Eugene got the win.
Rookie: Arizona Cubs
Cubs 1, White Sox 0
A solo homer was the only scoring for anyone in this game.
Other Notes