Christian Donahue, second baseman for South Bend, had been hitting .266/.317/.359 this season with a decent 6.5% walk rate and 21.6% strikeout rate. That’s not bad for a guy in his first professional season, but even so I would not have expected him to be jumped up to Iowa. A promotion to Iowa is exactly what happened.
This was probably just a matter of Iowa needed a player for a short time, and Donahue being one the Cubs could easily move due to the abundance of middle infielders in South Bend. It probably doesn’t mean the Cubs really believe Donahue is ready for Triple A this fast.
But usually we see that sort of a move when Iowa away from home, particularly when they are out west. This time, though, Iowa is at home. And they already had four infielders, three catchers, and five outfielders on the roster. That may look like an odd balance from the major league perspective, but in the minors it isn’t uncommon.
So why is Donahue a member of the Iowa Cubs? I really don’t know. But he is. Here’s hoping he gets into a game and makes the best of it.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 4, Colorado Springs 3
David Bote drew a walk with the bases loaded in the ninth, and that’s how the game ended.
Trevor Clifton: 5 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K
Brad Markey: 2 IP, 3 K
Dakota Mekkes: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Dillon Maples: 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K
Mark Zagunis: 1 for 4, BB
Victor Caratini: 2 for 4, BB
David Bote: 0 for 2, 2 BB
Bijan Rademacher: 3 for 4
Ryan Court: 1 for 4, 2B
Wynton Bernard: 1 for 2, 2 B
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Mobile 7, Tennessee 6
Tennessee came back from a four run deficit, but lost it the bottom of the ninth.
Oscar De La Cruz: 4 IP, 6 R, 5 H, 5 BB, 4 K
Jordan Minch: 3 IP, 1 BB, 2 K
Trey Martin: 0 for 3, 2 BB
Jason Vosler: 2 for 5, 2B, HR
Eddy Martinez: 2 for 4, 2B
Jesse Hodges: 2 for 3, BB
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Pelicans were rained out.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
South Bend 3, Dayton 2
Cubs outfielders cut down two runners at home to preserve the one run win.
Jesus Camargo: 5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K
Enrique De Los Rios: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 K
Ben Hecht: 1 IP, 1 K
Roberto Caro: 1 for 3, 3B, and an outfield assist
Jared Young: 1 for 4, 2B
Michael Cruz: 2 for 4, 2 2B
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Eugene 6, Hillsboro 2
Eugene pitching struck out fifteen Hops.
Jeffrey Passantino: 4.2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K
Sean Barry: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 4 K
Luis Aquino: 2 IP, 2 K
Mitch Stophel: 1 IP, 2 K
Fernando Kelli: 1 for 4, SB
Luis Diaz: 1 for 4, 2B
Jonathan Sierra: 1 for 3, HR
Christopher Morrel: 1 for 4, HR
Rookie: AZL Cubs 1
Cubs One 7, Giants Black 2
The Giants were held to just two hits.
Carlos Ocampo: 3.2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 6 K
Peyton Remy: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 6 K
Erick Gonzalez: 1.2 IP, 3 K
Clayton Daniel: 2 for 3, 2B
Chris Coghlan: 2 for 2, 3B, 2 BB
Yovanny Cuevas: 2 for 4
Jamie Galazin: 2 for 3, 2B
Erick Gonzalez: 3 for 4, 3B
Rookie: AZL Cubs 2
White Sox 9, Cubs Two 3
Walks were a problem for the Cubs. They gave up nine of them.
Eduarniel Nunez: 3.2 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K
Fernando Caulderon: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K
Luis Verdugo: 1 for 4, HR
Reivaj Garcia: 2 for 4
Kevin Zamudio: 1 for 3, 2B, BB
Fidel Mejia: 2 for 4, 2B
Other Notes
Yesterday was only the second time this season that De La Cruz has walked five. The other was April 24, his fourth start of the season.
South Bend also picked up 3B Cam Balego from Eugene and RHP Erling Moreno from Mesa.
The first member of the Cubs’ 2018 draft to make it into a game was, I think, unless I missed someone, 31st rounder Clayton Daniel. Daniel is a second baseman drafted out of Jacksonville State. He hit leadoff for Cubs 1 and doubled to open the game.
It has only been four games, but not only has 16-year-old shortstop Reivaj Garcia hit safely in every game, he has at least two hits in every game. He also walked once, doubled once, and struck out just twice. His line (again, through four games) is a robust .474/.500/.526. Even with the small sample sizes that is a good enough of a start to a career to catch my attention. Stay tuned.
NEWSLETTER
