The Tennessee Smokies hit four homers yesterday, including two from Zack Short, but I think the biggest story of the day happened at the end.
Last year Dakota Mekkes had an ERA of 0.00 from June 11, when he was promoted to Myrtle Beach, all the way until August 1 – a total of 14 games. It was one the most impressive scoreless streaks we’ve seen from any pitcher in the organization in some time.
And he’s at it again. Yesterday was the eighth straight game with an ERA of 0.00 for Mekkes this year. He did allow an unearned run in his second appearence, but that’s been it. In fact, he’s only allowed two hits in that entire span. If he can keep that up all month, he might just surpass last season’s 14 game streak.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Omaha 6, Iowa 4
Hello .200 my old friend; the Cubs are back to you again.
Michael Roth: 4.1 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Dillon Maples: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Ryan Court: 2 for 5, HR
David Bote: 2 for 4, 2B, BB
Mark Zagunis: 1 for 3, 2B, BB
Bijan Rademacher: 2 for 4
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee 8, Birmingham 5
The top three hitters all homered for the Smokies.
Duncan Robinson: 5 IP, 5 R (3 ER), 8 H, 2 BB, 3 K
Scott Effross: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 K
Dakota Mekkes: 2 IP, 1 BB, 2 K
Jeffrey Baez: 2 for 4, HR, BB, SB
Zack Short: 2 for 5, 2 HR
Jason Vosler: 1 for 3, HR, BB
Yasiel Balaguert: 2 for 4, 3B, SB
Charcer Burks: 1 for 4, 3B
Erick Castillo: 1 for 4, 2B
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Carolina 7, Myrtle Beach 0
On top of being shutout, the Pelicans also committed three errors.
Bryan Hudson: 2.2 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K
Casey Bloomquist: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 4 K
Bailey Clark: 2.2 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Chris Pieters: 1 for 4, 2B
Connor Myers: 2 for 3, BB
Low A: South Bend Cubs
Cedar Rapids 6, South Bend 5
Tyler Thomas suffered his first rough outting of the season.
Tyler Thomas: 5 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K
Jose Albertos: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 3 BB
Jesus Camargo: 2 IP, 3 K
Roberto Caro: 3 for 4, 2B, BB, SB
Jhonny Bethencourt: 2 for 5
Austin Filiere: 1 for 1, 2B, BB
Michael Cruz: 1 for 4, HR
Zach Davis: 2 for 4, 3B, SB
Other Notes
A Major League team of replacement level players is expected to win about 48 games. That calculation is one that emerges from and underlies much of the WAR statistics we use all the time. Consider, then, that the Iowa Cubs would project to win 32 games in a 162 game season at AAA right now. In other words, the team that the Cubs built to a great degree by signing minor league free agents they hoped could serve as Major League replacements, should the need arise, is playing well below replacement level while still in Iowa. There’s no way to sugar coat this; Iowa is a very bad baseball team right now.
There has been some talk of calling up Chris Gimenez to work with Yu Darvish again. He would have to be stunningly fantastic behind the plate to make up for the extreme negative value his bat would provide. So far this year (64 PA) he is hitting .207/.284/.241 with just six walks, two extra base hits, and 19 strikeouts. His wRC+ is 35. He is probably due for a turn around, though. After all, he hasn’t had an extra base hit or a multi-hit game in two weeks.
Keep an eye on Jeffrey Baez. I know he’s been teasing us with flashes of ability for the past few years, but right now he is playing better than ever. He’s also about a week away from the 100 PA mark, and he may well have an OPS over 1.000 when he gets there. If you’re looking for a high level breakout prospect to follow, this might be your guy.
Then again, there is no way his .513 BABIP is sustainable. Some amount of regression is unavoidable.
That was indeed Jose Albertos you saw coming out in relief for South Bend. And, again, his control just wasn’t there.
I was hoping the Smokies would have video of yesterday’s four home runs, but they don’t (at least not yet). So instead, have a look at some guy who really doesn’t like people who run in chicken suits. Because that’s apparently a thing:
https://twitter.com/smokiesbaseball/status/992219617186762753