NEWSLETTER
Matt Swarmer, who left a start on Thursday with an injury, was not added to Myrtle Beach’s disabled list yesterday. Jose Paulino and Kevonte Mitchell, though, were. To help fill in the gap left by the struggling pitcher and the toolsy outfielder, the Cubs sent Tyler Pearson, a catcher, back to Myrtle Beach. He has appeared in one game for the Pelicans this season, and in two games for Iowa. Also joining the roster is Erick Leal.
Unless you really follow Cubs’ farm system closely or have a very good memory, you’ve probably forgotten about Erick Leal. He started his career with Arizona before being traded to the Cubs for none other than Tony Campana prior to the 2013 season. His progress up the farm system has been methodical, but he missed all of 2017 with, presumably, an injury. When he last pitched in 2016 he was a decent pitching prospect in the back of the rotation mold. His ground ball rates were decent and his walk rate were good, but doesn’t get a ton of strikeouts.
For now it looks like he’ll be working in relief, but probably in longer outtings (similar to how the Cubs handled Bailey Clark until he moved into the rotation yesterday). If Leal pitches well in that role for Myrtle Beach for a few weeks, he may well get bumped up to Tennessee.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 13, New Orleans 3
This game accounts for 7% of all runs scored by Iowa this season.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Pensacola 2, Tennessee 0
Three of the Smokies’ five hits were doubles, but they couldn’t get that hit with men on base.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Carolina 4, Myrtle Beach 1 in ten innings
Bailey Clark’s first start of the season and Erick Leal’s 2018 debut both went pretty well.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
South Bend 4, West Michigan 2
More good pitching carried the Cubs to their twentieth win.
Other Notes
