Cubs Prospect Notes: Howard, Perlaza, Canario, Crook, Washer, Mulé, Estrada, More

Jul 28, 2022

Rumors and trades (well, one trade?) are the order of the day, obviously, but there is still a lot to get into on the Cubs prospect front …

Among a number of minor league items from Marquee, we get our first update on Ed Howard after his hip surgery earlier this year, via Farm Director Jared Banner: “He’s heading to Arizona next week. He’s walking now and he’ll start his rehab process a little more formally with us at our complex.” Barely two months out from a major hip injury and surgery, I love to hear that Howard is walking around now, and is already ready to go to Arizona to rehab at the Cubs’ facilities. Your dream scenario – in addition to a full recovery where Howard maintains his quick twitch and doesn’t lose the progress he was making at the plate – is that he can get into baseball activities in some way this fall/winter, but that might be too ambitious (we kinda know nothing about the projected timetable here). Otherwise, you’d just look for him to hopefully have a normal Spring Training next year.

If I told you there was an outfielder at Double-A who going bonkers at the plate, you would assume I was talking about Alexander Canario. And, hey, that would be an accurate description of what he’s doing. But that’s not the guy I’m talking about at this moment. I’m talking about Yonathan Perlaza, the switch-hitting outfielder who is not only raking in July, but is hitting .284/.387/.543/144 wRC+ (14.1% BB, 20.8% K) going all the way back to May 5.

A leadoff double by Delvin Zinn followed by yet another HR from Yonathan Perlaza! 2-2 in the bottom of the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/e2skU328No— Tennessee Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) July 28, 2022

The 23-year-old former international bonus baby is Rule 5 eligible after this season, and I’d call him one of the many close cases. On the one hand, he’s hitting so well, he can play capable defense around the outfield, and he’s a switch-hitter. On the other hand, a team taking a position player straight from Double-A to the big league roster in the Rule 5 seems sooooo unlikely to work out. Cubs will have a lot of tough choices.

Oh, but about Canario, here’s what Banner had to say about the absurd stretch of results (Marquee): “He’s just making really good swing decisions,” Banner said. “Whenever he makes contact, he does a ton of damage. He’s really strong and creates a ton of exit velo. He’s just doing a great job. He’s hot as can be right now and he’s trending up. It’s not just a hot streak. He’s doing everything better and better each month and we’re really excited to see that. This is the player we envisioned when we traded for him.”

Speaking of scorching hot outfielders (there are so many … ), Narciso Crook is back on one:

Narciso Crook has been on 🔥 since the All-Star break! His four home runs over the last four games gives him 15 on the year, good for the team lead. pic.twitter.com/qwjofiXks7— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) July 28, 2022

Since May 11, Crook is hitting .309/.382/.629/163 wRC+. We talk about wanting to get regular starts in the big leagues for Nelson Velazquez after the Trade Deadline, but I sure would like to see Crook get in there somehow, too. Maybe even ahead of Jackson Frazier.

At long last, Jake Washer gets the promotion to Double-A after he pulled a Jake Slaughter and suddenly became unstoppable (must be a Jake thing). Richard Gallardo gets the bump to High-A in conjunction:

🚨THURSDAY TRANSACTIONS🚨

Catcher Jake Washer (@J_Wash10) has been promoted to @smokiesbaseball. Thank you for everything, Wash!

In addition, RHP Richard Gallardo has been promoted from @Pelicanbaseball to the #SBCubs. 💪 pic.twitter.com/lwmDr7tMy0— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) July 28, 2022

Through nearly 200 PAs at High-A, Washer was hitting .300/.365/.606/162 wRC+. There are two big caveats: (1) the strikeout rate is an alarming 27.5%, and (2) he’s already 26. On the latter one, you can soften it a bit by noting that the pandemic year basically aged every prospect a year beyond where you might otherwise expect them, and also, catchers do sometimes develop much later with the bat.

Slaughter, by the way, is up to 193 plate appearances at Double-A, and he’s still hitting: .319/.420/.594/165 wRC+. At some point, he’s gotta get a look at Triple-A.

Tough initial outings at Double-A for Jordan Wicks and D.J. Herz, but hey, that’s part of the process, eh? Wicks has mostly been burned by the long ball in his two outings, and Herz got pitch-counted out of the game after just one out. Wonder if he was just a little too amped up, and since we know he’s got that complicated delivery (with some wildness baked in), it probably spiraled a bit. Hopefully he settles in his next one.

Kinda figured this would be the range of the required bonus on Nazier Mulé – Cubs are big fans of the upside in that arm, clearly:

The @Cubs have agreed to a deal with fourth-round pick Nazier Mule for $1,000,000 (slot value for pick No. 113 = $538,600), per @JonathanMayo.

More on the Cubs' 2022 #MLBDraft picks here: https://t.co/uZkU3dSUbn pic.twitter.com/g9g0qssZUY— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 28, 2022

And an expectedly over slot deal for Luis Rujano:

Another @cubs signing: 13th-rder Luis Rujano gets $210K ($85K counts twd bonus pool). @USFBaseball recruit has size and arm strength, up to 96, with inconsistent secondary (SL & CH). @MLBDraft— Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayo) July 28, 2022

If the Cubs don’t do any more over slot deals among the remaining players, they’d have just about $3 million to spend on second round pick Jackson Ferris. I don’t have any worries there (even if they failed to sign him, they could use the remaining overage – roughly $1.3 million – to entice one of those later round prep arms, and they would get a replacement pick in roughly the same spot next year).

Overshadowed by the big name in Cristian Hernández and the big results in Moises Ballesteros, don’t forget about last year’s DSL player of the year for the Cubs:

I think it is time to include Pedro Ramirez at the back end of prospect lists now.

.340/.957 in July in the ACL
.309/.829 for the year

This will be his second level at which he has excelled…with apparent ease.

📸 by @biest22 pic.twitter.com/UAMWgOU9Vm— Todd ⚾️🐻🦌 (@CubsCentral08) July 28, 2022

“High-A is hard, man”:

What's a pitcher thinking when these 3 are due-up in an inning? 😱 pic.twitter.com/Jz2VtcmGom
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) July 28, 2022

Jeremiah Estrada hasn’t really struggled after the bump from High-A to Double-A, and I do wonder if he’s going to see a little time at Iowa before the season is up (he’s Rule 5 eligible):

Jeremiah Estrada arrived in Tennessee in mid June. He has a 1.62 ERA over the last 6 weeks. Then again, he has not allowed a run all of July. Heading into tonight's game, opponents were hitting just .129 this month. He struck out all 3 guys he faced.⬇️

Send him to Iowa.

📸by me pic.twitter.com/tJZLBVyC7J— Todd ⚾️🐻🦌 (@CubsCentral08) July 28, 2022

Imagine this happening immediately after you signed your top pick, second overall in the draft – feel terrible for Jones:

NEWS: Druw Jones, the No. 2 pick in the draft, hurt his shoulder taking in his first day of batting practice Monday and may miss the rest of the season. He's seeing a doctor tomorrow.https://t.co/HPPbTpO6ug— Zach Buchanan (@ZHBuchanan) July 26, 2022

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Gotten Impossible to Not Comment on the White Sox Making Futility History

In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Kansas City Royals (15-10) are favored on the moneyline (-121) in Thursday's contest against the Toronto Blue Jays (13-12). Game time is at 2:10 PM ET on SNET. The Blue Jays, with +168 odds, are favored against the spread...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Houston Astros (7-18) visit the Chicago Cubs (15-9) at 2:20 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Jose Altuve has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 25, 2024

The Boston Red Sox versus the Cleveland Guardians is a game to see on a Thursday MLB schedule that features 10 competitive contests.There are typically plenty of MLB player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Scroll down to...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The San Diego Padres (14-13) visit Denver to square off against the Colorado Rockies (6-19) at 3:10 PM ET on Thursday.The probable pitchers are Randy Vasquez (0-1) for the Padres and Dakota Hudson (0-4) for the Rockies.Padres vs. Rockies Pitcher...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Milwaukee Brewers will take the field against the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) on Thursday. The game begins at 12:35 PM ET on BSWI, with the Brewers listed as -126 favorites on the moneyline.Freddy Peralta will get the ball for Milwaukee...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Twins vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Chicago White Sox (3-21) will try to end their six-game losing streak when they visit the Minnesota Twins (10-13) on Thursday at 1:10 PM ET on BSN. Oddsmakers consider the Twins to be -252 favorites for the contest, while...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Philadelphia Phillies (15-10) visit the Cincinnati Reds (14-10) at 1:10 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Kyle Schwarber has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Guardians vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

Following a big two-homer game last time out, Connor Wong leads the Boston Red Sox (14-11) into action as +134 underdogs against the Cleveland Guardians (17-7). First pitch from Progressive Field at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday, live on NESN.Triston...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Twins vs. White Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Minnesota Twins (10-13) look to add to a three-game winning streak as they host the Chicago White Sox (3-21) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Twins will send Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0)...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Rangers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Seattle Mariners (12-12) visit the Texas Rangers (13-12). The matchup at Globe Life Field begins at 2:35 PM ET on Thursday.The Mariners will look to Luis Castillo (1-4) against the Rangers and Andrew Heaney (0-2).Mariners vs. Rangers Pitcher Matchup...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Cubs Prospect Notes: Howard, Perlaza, Canario, Crook, Washer, Mulé, Estrada, More

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular