MLB
Injuries, Updates, and Trends
Ok, let’s do this…
In: Mark Leiter Jr., Nelson Velazquez, Matt Swarmer
Out: Chris Martin (Bereavement List), Jonathan Villar (10-day IL), Wade Miley (15-day IL retro to May 26th)
Good for Matt Swarmer.
— Michael Ernst (@mj_ernst) May 29, 2022
He'll throw strikes.
He's tall and and with an over the top delivery the ball comes from a unique arm angle and release point.
Pretty good slider.
Competitor.
Consistent.
I think he gives the Cubs 4-5 solid innings tomorrow.
How far has Matt Swarmer come? Two years ago, he was pitching in a men’s wood bat league full of college kids and retired players.
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) May 29, 2022
He’ll be a big league pitcher tomorrow.https://t.co/Rpnp3fiQha
Anderson Espinoza, the lone healthy 40-man roster pitcher, has also been recalled from AA to function as the 27th man for the doubleheader today.
The Cubs have added Anderson Espinoza to the roster for today's doubleheader.
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) May 30, 2022
If he gets into the game, he'll join rare company. There cannot be many big league pitchers who had a four-year stretch during their MiLB careers where they didn't get into an official game.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Swarmer, Ethan Roberts was transferred from the 15 to the 60-day IL.
That, I think, covers it.
But that isn’t the only big promotion news throughout the system…
AAA
Game Recap
Iowa fell behind early as the Redbirds pecked away at starter Luke Farrell for single runs in each of the first three innings. It was 4-0 heading into the 7th when the Cubs offense finally managed to threaten. The first two men reached and Iowa had the middle of their order coming up. But groundouts by Nick Madrigal and David Bote only managed to move one runner and bring one in. Nelson Maldonado followed with a single, but Dixon Machado was held up at 3rd. Both would be stranded when Robel Garcia popped out. Greg Deichmann did homer the following inning, but no other I-Cubs reached base in the 8th or 9th.
The I-Cubs did get continued good work from relievers Brendon Little and Erich Uelmen to help keep the game within striking distance in the late innings. Little threw 1.2 more scoreless innings, and the former 1st rounder has now run his scoreless streak to begin his season up to 9.2. He has been walking some guys, but the lefty has allowed just 3 hits thus far.
Erich Uelmen just struck out two in another scoreless outing for the @IowaCubs.
— Alex Cohen (@voiceofcohen) May 30, 2022
Last 6 outings: 10.1 IP, 1 ER, 11 K.
Season ERA down to 2.19.
Top Performers
- Greg Deichmann: 2-3, HR (1), R, RBI, BB, SB (3) (.202)
- Zach Davis: 2-3, R, BB, SB (10) (.192)
- Cayne Ueckert: 1.2 IP, H, R, 0 ER, BB, 2 K (4.66)
- Brendon Little: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (0.00)
Injuries, Updates, and Trends
Eury Ramos has been promoted to Iowa. The hard thrower has been improving his breaking ball this year and has been looking good of late. He’s another guy pushing for a 40-man spot later this season or offseason.
A couple MLB rehab updates tonight for the @IowaCubs.
— Alex Cohen (@voiceofcohen) May 30, 2022
Nick Madrigal: 1-for-4, single, lineout
David Bote: 0-for-4, RBI groundout, walk, stolen base.
AA
Top Performers
- Alexander Canario: 3-6, HR (4),m 2 R, 2 RBI, BB (.200)
- Levi Jordan: 1-2, HR (5), 2 R, RBI, BB, HBP (.380)
- Chase Strumpf: 1-4, HR (8), R, 2 RBI, BB (.221)
- Bradlee Beesley: 1-4, HR (1), R, 2 RBI (.111)
- Darius Hill: 3-8, 2 RBI, SB (3) (.308)
- Cam Balego: 1-3, R (.111)
- Bailey Horn: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, K (W, 1-0, 0.00)
- Dalton Stambaugh: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K (4.24)
Injuries, Updates, and Trends
Scott Kobos returned from the IL, giving up one run in one inning of work.
High-A
Game Recap
South Bend clustered together base runners in three different innings in order to post seven runs. They managed it without hitting a homer and with only one double in the mix. The scorching hot Owen Caissie reached all four times up, and Luis Verdugo reached in three of his four plate appearances.
Swing so nice he did it twice. pic.twitter.com/HlLyD5svCu
— Brad (@ballskwok) May 30, 2022
Jordan Nwogu has been heating up at the plate as well and he proved a great catalyst at the top of the order in this one.
Um, it's been a quiet resurgence but Jordan Nwogu has has a very nice run the last three weeks. It's all coming together for him. Hopefully, it carries over to June. pic.twitter.com/heZFRN4N2m
— Todd (@CubsCentral08) May 30, 2022
And not to be overlooked, the birthday boy Pablo Aliendo knocked in a big run as well:
Why I love Pablo Aliendo…
— Todd (@CubsCentral08) May 29, 2022
This is one mature piece of hitting for a guy that turned 21 years old today. Happiest of birthdays, my friend!!! pic.twitter.com/0CzpjFOygl
Top Performers
- Owen Caissie: 2-2, 2 BB (.242)
- Jordan Nwogu: 1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB (.242)
- Luis Verdugo: 1-2, R, 2 BB (.226)
- Jonathan Sierra: 1-3, R, BB (.278)
- Yeison Santana: 1-4, R, RBI, 2 SB (2, 3) (.280)
- Yohendrick Pinango: 1-5, R, 2 RBI, SB (5) (.265)
- Jake Slaughter: 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI (.246)
- Riley Martin: 3 IP, 2 H, R, 3 BB, 6 K (W, 3-2, 7.20)
- Sheldon Reed: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (0.00)
- Walker Powell: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (S, 1, 5.84)
Injuries, Updates, and Trends
Celebrate! The Cubs have officially announced that Pete Crow-Armstrong will be joining South Bend. My guess is there will be a cascade of promotions for CF up the system, but no corresponding moves have been made official yet.
Low-A
Game Recap
Not much to write about in this one. Lefty Luis Rodriguez dominated after starter Porter Hodge had his pitch count run up in the 2nd inning. Rodriguez isn’t overpowering but he’s got solid stuff and is one of those guys with great feel. He did not allow a hit over 4.2 innings of relief, while striking out 6. Hard throwing Frankie Scalzo Jr. followed with 1.2 hitless frames off his own.
Oh, and we got one last Low-A PCA highlight:
PCA can do it ALL. What a web gem!!!! pic.twitter.com/Rf9Q6mUqLj
— Jordan Miller (@Miller_MiLB) May 29, 2022
Top Performers
- Luis Rodriguez: 4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K (1.93)
- Frankie Scalzo Jr.: 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (7.04)
- Kevin Alcanatara: 2-4, R (.265)
- Kevin Made: 1-4, 2B, RBI
Filed under: Daily Cubs Minors Recap
Thanks Michael, and working on a holiday too! A question about Levi Jordan. He's in his mid-twenties so he's not young but is he a 4A player or does he have a chance to play in the bigs?
You're welcome.
As for Jordan, that's the open question. I see him as an Iowa shuttle guy. He didn't really deserve his demotion to TN and he'll probably be back in Iowa after Madrigal and Bote finish their rehabs (although that may also mean Morel back in Iowa too). He's just one of those borderline guys who if he gets an actual shot might run with it, or gets caught in perpetual limbo. It's tough for guys who project as backups to prove themselves in the Majors because it usually requires injury and particular roster circumstances for them to get any extended look.
Bryan Smith over at Bleacher Nation is a believer in Jordan.
Thanks for the holiday update, Michael! It's great to see some promotions and some MLB debuts on the same day!
I guess it’s time to start taking a better look at the S Bend home schedule.
I don’t disagree that the return of Madrigal and Bote could end up with Morel heading to Iowa. But what an injustice that would be. Between Wisdom and Bote, I definitely prefer Wisdom, despite his swing and miss tendencies. But I sure hope Bote’s salary doesn’t guarantee him a spot on the MLB roster. And I prefer Morel to all 3 or 4 of these guys.
I've mentioned it before but I think there are good odds Bote gets DFA. No team is going to claim him at his guaranteed salary the next two years and the club can always add him back to the 40-man later in the season if they need him after trade deadline.
I am definitely heading over to south bend in june maybe a couple of times.
18%k rate 12% walk rate 7 homer 13 stolen bases .354/.480. A great defender.
If Pete Crow Armstrong has similiar success in South Bend he should be in Tennessee later this summer. Which puts him a short phone call away.
I dont think the cubs have had a player with those kind of stats in the MINORS since I can remember. Bryant's were pretty good but not this good. (His were at a higher level of course.
It is conceivable PCA could be your starting CF and lead off hitter next year in chicago. Not likely but it will be fun to track.
or Morel could be your starting CF and lead off hitter next year.
or B Davis could be the starting CF next year.
It's June. Where is he?
from what I read, he is working in AZ. The Cubs have too many OF right now anyway. The Cubs will take their time and get him healthy.
Back injury. Originally thought to be day to day, and didn't go on the IL, but it didn't respond, and so they put him on IL, then when it still didn't respond he went to Mesa to rehab.
Tap your brakes a bit, creature.
Another great reporting Michael ! I can see an all star outfield of PCA,Davis, and Suzuki !