Cubs Minor League Daily: Two Names To Watch From The Dominican Summer League

We’ve checked in on the Domincan Summer League teams a time or two already this season, and since there were just two games yesterday for the Cubs, this seemed like a good chance to check in again. And rather than rehash some players we’ve talked about previous, I want to turn the spotlight on two names I don’t think I have written up yet.

First up, 18 year old left-handed pitcher Didier Vargas. This is the first season in the organization for Vargas, and based on his results, I would not be surprised to see him come to Mesa for the Instructional League this fall. Through ten starts (44.2 IP) he has an ERA of 1.01. His 40 strikeouts are good, and while his walk total of 21 is on the high side, the fact that he has given up just 24 total hits is what sets up his very robust overall line. And with a GO/AO of 1.79, he ticks the groundball pitcher box as well.

His sometimes batterymate is left-handed hitting catcher Jonathan Soto, also 19. Soto is small, just 5’9″, but he is hitting .300/.372/.433 with 18 walks and 18 strikeouts through 47 games. He has one homer, five triples, and has even stolen six bases. Like Didier, this is his first year in the system.

While these are certainly names to watch, you will not find them on the mid-season edition of the Top 40. DSL stats are hard to digest, and as a result it is tough to figure out how to handle players who only have stats from that league. That’s partly why I wait for a player to play as a professional in a league in the United States before ranking him (with some exceptions).

Triple A: Iowa Cubs

Iowa had the day off.

Double A: Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were rained out.

High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach 6, Frederick 1
The Pelicans escape the series with a win.

• Michael Rucker: 6.1 IP, 1 R, 11 H, 1 BB, 4 K
• Pedro Araujo: 2.2 IP, 2 BB, 3 K
• Zack Short: 1 for 4, 3B, BB
• Trent Giambrone: 1 for 4, SB
• Jesse Hodges: 2 for 5
• Robert Garcia: 1 for 3, 3B, 2 BB

Low A: South Bend Cubs
South Bend 6, Lake County 6
The bullpen struggled in the late innings, but the lead was just big enough to last.

• Tyler Peyton: 5 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K
• Luis Ayala: 3 for 5
• Aramis Ademan: 3 for 5, 2 2B
• D.J. Wilson: 2 for 5, 2B
• Alberto Mineo: 2 for 3, 2B, BB

Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds

Eugene is on their All Star break.

Rookie: AZL Cubs

Arizona had the day off.

Other Notes

• The Pelicans turned a pair of double plays yesterday, and shortstop Zach Short started both of them.
• The Cubs had two excellent young shortstops in their farm system, but one of them (Isaac Paredes) went to Detroit. When he left, the other one (Aramis Ademan) was promoted to South Bend to take his place.  Ademan was immediately slotted into the number two spot in the batting order, and through two games (sample size alert) he has an OPS over 1.000.
• The Mid-Season Edition of the Bleacher Nation Top 40 Prospects List debuted yesterday with rankings number 40 through 33. Yesterday’s edition was highlighted by a number of infielders with good bats but a lack of power. There will be a little bit more of that today, as well as a couple pitching prospects you will probably recognize.