NEWSLETTER
There were quite few roster shuffles yesterday, likely the first of a handful of such days over the next few weeks. First let’s get through the moves, then look at the impact.
Iowa adds:
CF Wynton Bernards <- 7 day DL
RHP Trevor Clifton <- Tennessee
RHP Dakota Mekkes <- Tennessee
Iowa loses:
INF Ryan Court -> 7 day DL
RHP Zach Hedges -> Tennessee
Tennessee adds:
LHP Jordan Minch <- Myrtle Beach
RHP Zach Hedges <- Iowa
RHP Matt Swarmer <- Myrtle Beach
Tennessee loses:
RHP Dakota Mekkes -> Iowa
RHP Trevor Clifton -> Iowa
Myrtle Beach adds:
LHP Jose Paulino <- 7 day DL
RHP Cory Abbott <- South Bend
Myrtle Beach loses:
LHP Jordan Minch -> Tennessee
RHP Matt Swarmer -> Tennessee
South Bend adds:
LHP Tyler Thomas <- 7 day DL
South Bend loses:
RHP Cory Abbott -> Myrtle Beach
There is a lot to unpack there.
Dakota Mekkes heading to Iowa now more or less sets him up, if he does well, for a September call up and a shot at the Cubs’ bullpen 2019. Mekkes now appears very likely to be the first player from the Cubs 2016 draft to reach the majors. He leaves Tennessee having allowed just two earned runs in 22.1 innings of work while striking out 12.09 K/9, and we get to see if his deceptive style will play against minor league veteran types.
Clifton heading to Iowa also sets him up for a possible September callup. Clifton could become just the second pitcher drafted by this front office to start a game for the Cubs (unless Duane Underwood beats him to it). Clifton had an ERA of 2.86 for the Smokies this season.
The promotion of Matt Swarmer is the biggest news for Tennessee. Swarmer had been one of the best pitchers for the Pelicans this year (2.28 ERA, 2.07 FIP, 10.34 K/9). He made two starts for the Smokies last year when circumstances required the Cubs make some moves, but I think this time he’ll stick around a lot longer.
For Myrtle Beach, Cory Abbott should slide right into the rotation hole left by Swarmer. Abbott was having a good year for South Bend (2.47 ERA, 10.84 K/9) and now joins fellow 2017 draftees Alex Lange and Keegan Thompson in the High A rotation.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Albuquerque 5, Iowa 1
Bote’s eighth homer was all the scoring for the Cubs.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee 10, Jackson 2
The Smokies are now just three games behind in the division.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach 7, Buies Creek 4
The Pelicans have won four straight and are 11-3 since May 20.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
South Bend 8, Fort Wayne 7 in eleven innings
The Cubs blew a three run early lead, but came from behind twice in extra innings to salvage the win.
Other Notes
