For years the Cubs’ farm system has been all about the bats. So, this year, when once again the Cubs stacked the players into mid-season All Star rosters, I expected that on the Wednesday after All-Star day you would be reading about the bats. You know, like normal.
But this year is looking increasingly like the Year of the Pitcher, and that was evident against last night. Those All Star Cubs who made it to the plate in their respective games were a combined 0 for 9. It was not a great night for the hitters.
On the pitching side, though, things were different. Adbert Alzolay had a rough night, but Justin Steele, Dylan Cease, and Duncan Robinson all pitched well. Combined, those three tossed 2.2 innings, struck out three, and did not allow a hit or a walk.
In the grand scheme of things, this is nothing more than a bit of trivia. But in an organization badly in need of premium pitching talent at the high levels, it is hard to not look at the results from yesterday and think that maybe, just maybe, the pitching pipeline is stocked and ready to continue providing quality arms to Chicago.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 6, Omaha 4
On a Tuesday night in the middle of June, just under ten thousand people showed up to watch Iowa play. That’s impressive.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
The Southern League All Star Game, scheduled to be played in Pensacola, was rained out by Tropical Storm Cindy.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
North All Stars 2, South All Stars 0
You should have been rooting for the South All Stars.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
West All Stars 5, East All Stars 2
You were rooting for the East All Stars.
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Boise 7, Eugene 6 in ten innings.
An unearned run proved to be the difference.
Other Notes