NEWSLETTER
If your plans today allow you to head to the ballpark or fire up MiLB.tv, then there are some pretty good Cubs pitching prospects on the mound to check out.
Iowa, on the road in New Orleans, sends Trevor Clifton (ERA 3.94) to the mound. Clifton is one of the Cubs’ better Triple A pitching prospects right now, and could be a September callup candidate as a reliever or a starter.
Tennessee is at home and puts Michael Rucker (3.71 ERA) on the mound. Rucker came out of the 2016 draft and is having a pretty good year for the Smokies.
The one I would make an effort to watch is Myrtle Beach at home. Erick Leal pitches for the Pelicans, and Leal has been fantastic since coming back after an arm injury last year (1.10 ERA). We probably aren’t going to get too many more chances to see Leal on the mound this season.
If you choose to watch South Bend, keep an eye on Brendon Little’s pitch selection. Little (ERA 4.86) has been really working on his changeup according to some accounts, and not using his very good curve much. That may account for his less than hoped for results.
Not enough? Well … unfortunately, it will have to be. Paul Richan (1.80 ERA) is on the mound for Eugene, but since Eugene is on the road we won’t be able to watch the first pitcher the Cubs drafted in 2018 in action.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
New Orleans 1, Iowa 0
The Cubs had some good pitching in this one, but New Orleans had better.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Biloxi 5, Tennessee 0
The Smokies fell behind in the top of the first, and that’s pretty much the ballgame.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach had the day off.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
Great Lakes 4, South Bend 3
A homer in the fifth put the Cubs behind for good.
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Eugene 10, Everett 6
The Emeralds had to come from behind in this one despite having just eight hits.
Rookie: AZL Cubs 1
The Cubs had the day off.
Rookie: AZL Cubs 2
Dodgers 2, Cubs Two 1
Thanks to three errors, the Cubs allowed no earned runs.
Other Notes
