The Cubs would be smart to let Cashner get comfortable at the Double-A level before promoting him again. If that means finishing the season there, so be it. Cashner is looking like a legitimate pitching prospect, and it is important for Cashner to build up his stamina before he starts facing a mixture of former major league hitters and veteran minor leaguers.
Cubs Top Prospects Archives
Cashner impresses in Double-A debut
After giving up an impressive seven earned runs in 42.0 innings for the Daytona Cubs, pitching prospect Andrew Cashner gave up one run in five innings of work, striking out six. The Cubs' experiment to move Cashner from the closer role to the starter role is proving to be a success, as he has a 1.53 ERA this season.
Caridad, Stevens pitch well in Cubs loss
It was a promising outing for Cubs pitching prospects despite a 5-2 loss to New Orleans. The game's starter, Esmalin Caridad, surrendered one hit over four innings and struck out five. Caridad hasn't been spectacular, but he is preforming better than his numbers show. Despite being 3-8, he owns a 4.14 ERA in 15 starts striking out 57 and walking 26.
Caridad was relieved by pitcher Jeff Stevens, who has been one of the top relievers in the Pacific Coast League.
Stevens pitched an inning of relief, striking out two. Stevens is 0-3 in 26 games this season, with a 2.62 ERA and 33 strike outs. He has walked 19, but is holding hitters to a .194 batting average. If the Cubs bullpen continues to struggle, Stevens should be called up. He is way to effective of a reliever to be waiting in the wings in Iowa.
Cubs Top 10 Prospects - June
1. Josh Vitters, 3B (Peoria Chiefs)
- Vitters hit .382 in the month of May with 11 home runs, bringing his season average to .353.
May Rating: 1
2. Jeff Samardzija, RHP (Iowa Cubs)
- Samardzija is starting to get comfortable in Triple-A, throwing a complete game six hitter. He could be a big time pitcher if he could command the ball more consistently.
May Rating: 3
3. Christopher Archer, RHP (Peoria Chiefs)
- Archer owns a 1.29 ERA in Single-A and has struck out 47 in 35 innings pitched. He has walked two in his 10 innings, and probably needs to work deeper in games before he will be promoted.
May Rating: 4
4. Andrew Cashner, RHP (Daytona Cubs)
- The Cubs are converting Cashner to a starter, and they are just starting to stretch him out. He worked 5 innings in his last start, walking none and striking out five.
May Rating: 2
5. Starlin Castro, SS (Daytona Cubs)
- Castro, 19, is holding his own in High-A, hitting .372 in his last 10 games. He is .299 with 2 home runs this season.
May Rating: Not ranked
6. Christopher Carpenter, RHP (Peoria Chiefs)
- Carpenter owns a 3.38 ERA in 10 games this season, holding hitters to a .198 average. He struggled through May, so keep an eye on him to make sure the strong start was not just a fluke.
May Rating: 9
7. Tyler Colvin, OF (Daytona Cubs)
- Colvin hit .280 in the month of May, but is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. He will be joining the Tennessee Smokies sometime next week.
May Rating: Not ranked
8. James Russell, LHP (Iowa Cubs)
- Russell pitched very well in the month of May for the Smokies, owning a 3.05 ERA and striking out 18. He will pitch for the Iowa Cubs to see how he pitches against the top minor league level.
May Rating: Not ranked
9. Jay Jackson, RHP (Tennessee Smokies)
- Jackson struggled in April, but is 2-0 with a 1.55 ERA in 5 games in May. He needs to command the ball better, despite having pretty good strike out numbers.
May Rating: 6
10. Larry Suarez, RHP (Mesa Cubs)
- Suarez, 19, is mowing down hitters in extended Spring Training, and should join the Boise Hawks when their season begins in mid-June.
May Rating: Not ranked