Cubs Minor League Daily: Good Day For Pitching

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.

  • Luke Farrell: 5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K
  • Dakota Mekkes: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K
  • Dillon Maples: 0.1 IP, 2 K
  • Ryan Court: 1 for 3, BB
  • 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.

  • Thomas Hatch: 6 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 6 K
  • Preston Morrison: 1 IP, 2 K
  • Yasiel Balaguert: 1 for 4, 2B
  • Wynton Bernard: 2 for 3, 2B, BB
  • Connor Myers: 2 for 4, SB
  • 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.

  • Javier Assad: 4 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K
  • Brendan King: 3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 5 K
  • Jake Steffens: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 K
  • Clayton Daniels: 1 for 4, BB
  • Jimmy Herron: 1 for 3, BB
  • Chris Singleton: 0 for 2, 2 BB
  • Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
    Eugene 10, Everett 6
    The Emeralds had to come from behind in this one despite having just eight hits.

  • Zach Mort: 2 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 2 K
  • Stephen Ridings: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB
  • Casey Ryan: 2 IP, 2 K
  • Levy Jordan: 1 for 4, BB
  • Andy Weber: 1 for 3, 2 BB
  • Nelson Velazquez: 2 for 3, HR, BB, SB
  • Jake Slaughter: 3 for 5, 2B, HR
  • 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.

  • Kohl Franklin: 2.1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB
  • Luis Silva: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K
  • Reivaj Garcia: 1 for 4, 2B
  • D.J. Artis: 2 for 4, SB
  • Fidel Mejia: 2 for 3, BB
  • Brennen Davis: 2 for 4
  • Other Notes

  • Yes, Dillon Maples really did need to strike out two batters in order to get one out. He struck out the first batter he faced on a wild pitch that allowed the runner to reach first. So he struck out the second batter.
  • Not only did Jake Slaughter hit his first homer for Eugene yesterday, he made his first homer a grand slam. Slaughter was drafted in the 18th round in June.
  • Did you miss your chance to bid on a South Bend Cubs game worn Harry Potter jersey? Not to worry. Now you have a shot at a South Bend Cubs game worn Mister Rogers jersey!
  • The second wave of our mid-season BN Top 40 Prospect rankings went up yesterday. That means we have just ten more to rank.
  • written by

    Luke Blaize is the Minor League Editor at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @ltblaize.

    more cubs news

    Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

    The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

    Blake Snell’s Reasonable Price Tag? Why Jordan Montgomery Might Wait a Little Longer?

    A couple updates on the top remaining - yup, still - free agent starting pitchers, lefties Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. Although rumors picked up on Snell and the Astros late last week, no signing news dropped. It was surprising,...

    Garrett Crochet Will Start on Opening Day for the White Sox, Marking an Extreme Rarity

    We don't cover the White Sox around here in a particularly close way - maybe a touch more than other non-NL-Central clubs because of the intracity interest - but this was surprising and interesting enough for me to note. The...

    Chicago Cubs Shortstop Prospect Jefferson Rojas Wants to Be Javy Báez

    I haven’t exactly made it a secret that Jefferson Rojas is one of my favorite prospects in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system. After debuting in the DSL at 17, Rojas skipped complex ball and wound up at Low-A Myrtle Beach...

    Taillon Throwing and a Roster Benefit, Amaya Catching, Friedl Wrist, Williams, Alonso, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know, if Seiya really rakes, and Cody hits again, and if Nico and Happ get on base a ton and Busch turns out to be a stud, and if Dansby is above average and Amaya breaks out and Morel...

    Spring Training Miscellany: Celebrate With a Green Beer, Happ Returns, Assad Solid, Cubs Win

    The Cubs won their St. Patrick's Day game over the Rangers 8-6 today, and it's time to tip back a green one in celebration ... About what you'd want to see from Javier Assad today as he continues to stretch...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ is Back!

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse this Chicago Cubs lineup? Don't miss out! For a limited time only, RECEIVE 10% OFF your...

    The Third Cut Includes Mervis, Four Others

    (Hear the song in your mind - it still fits!) The Chicago Cubs made their next set of cuts from big league camp today, sending out five players who were generally not expected to make the Opening Day roster. The...

    Spring Leaders, Key Injuries, Rays Payroll, Luck of the Irish, and Other Cubs Bullets

    A mighty fine St. Patrick's Day to you all. Although I've got a good bit of Irish in my blood, it's never been something I've connected to all that much. You can't really force it, but I kinda want to...

    Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Sweep the Split-Squad Day

    It was a split-squad day for the Cubs today, and they won both by a total of two runs. It was 4-3 over the Angels and 8-7 over the Royals. The only teams with a better spring record than the...

    Latest News

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are underdogs (+7) as they try to build on a three-game win streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) at 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The game airs on...

    Mavericks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    Southwest Division opponents square off when the Dallas Mavericks (39-29) visit the San Antonio Spurs (15-53) at AT&T Center, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The Mavericks are 8.5-point favorites in the game, the fourth...

    Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Brooklyn Nets (26-42) will try to break a three-game losing streak when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (41-26) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center as 8.5-point underdogs. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM ET on YES....

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are 7-point underdogs as they try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The contest airs at 9:00 PM ET on NBA....

    Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The oddsmakers give the edge to the Vancouver Canucks on home ice (-198) over the Buffalo Sabres (+164) when they play on Tuesday, March 19 at 10:00 PM ET.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Canucks (-198)Underdog: Sabres (+164)Total: 6Best Canucks...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

    Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

    more cubs news