Hello, readers. Welcome to another edition of “Young Cubs.” I just want to address the fact that this is coming out on a Saturday. You may have noticed that the previous edition came out on Tuesday. Well, I’m right in the middle of the last few weeks of my undergraduate studies and so I’ve been busier than usual. Due to this, the article today will cover games from Tuesday, July 14 through Thursday, July 16. In addition, I’m trimming away the “Game(s) To Look Forward To” and “Player of the Week” sections. I’ll be back to the regular schedule and format for this feature starting on Monday, in which I will cover the weekend’s games. Thanks again for your patience and support. You’re an amazing audience and you make this feature what it is. Anyways, off we go!
BP Top 10 Update (Stats for 7/14-7/16)
- OF Albert Almora, Double-A Tennessee: Nothing to report here, as Almora is playing with Team USA for the Pan American Games.
- C Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs: Welcome back to the big leagues, Kyle! I really wish it were under better circumstances, what with Miguel Montero going on the DL and all, but it’s still great to see Schwarber back with the big-league club. Schwarber started off by going 3-for-4 with a double on Friday night, and once again looking like the high-caliber bat we know him to be. He also had a few miscues behind the plate, but that is to be expected, as he’s essentially learning on the fly.
- OF Billy McKinney, Double-A Tennessee: 0-for-6, 2 BB, 1 K
- RHP Pierce Johnson, Double-A Tennessee: Did not pitch.
- SS Gleyber Torres, Low-A South Bend: 4-for-10, 0 BB, 1 K
- 1B Dan Vogelbach, Double-A Tennessee: 7-Day DL.
- LHP Carson Sands, Short Season-A Eugene: Did not pitch.
- RHP Jen-Ho Tseng, High-A Myrtle Beach: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
- RHP Carl Edwards, Jr., Triple-A Iowa: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
- RHP Duane Underwood, Jr., High-A Myrtle Beach: 7-Day DL
The Non-Prospects
- Javier Baez: He’s still hurt. I am sad. That is all.
- Arismendy Alcantara: It was the All-Star break for Triple-A this week, and Alcantara was on the PCL squad. Thus, not much of consequence to report here.
Team Updates/Standings
- Eugene Emeralds, Short Season-A, Northwest League: 15-14, 2 GB of first place, third place in the South Division.
- South Bend Cubs, Low-A, Midwest League: 12-10, 2.5 GB of first place, fourth place in the Eastern Division.
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans, High-A, Carolina League: 11-11, 1 GB of first place, second place in the Southern Division (tied with Carolina Mudcats).
- Tennessee Smokies, Double-A, Southern League: 8-12, 8 GB of first place, third place in the North Division.
- Iowa Cubs, Triple-A, Pacific Coast League: 49-43, 9 GB of first place, third place in the American Northern Division.
Player To Watch
Ian Happ, 20, CF, Eugene Emeralds. Happ has been on something of a tear recently. He’s had multiple extra-base hits, and has hit nearly .400 overall, over his last six games. The young center fielder leads the Northwest League in walks, making him the ideal Theo/Jed-era Cubs prospect. I really doubt that Happ sticks around Eugene too much longer, as a promotion to Low-A South Bend seems to be in order. He is yet another very exciting prospect for the Cubs, and while he still has a long way to go to be major-league ready, the possibility for a center fielder with his power/patience combo is absolutely tantalizing.
Tweet(s) of the Week
Ronda Rousey just won ESPYs for Best Fighter and Best Female Athlete, which are fantastic recognitions of her accomplishments as the most dominant women’s MMA fighter in the world. Anthony Giansanti, the erstwhile Cubs organization utility man, has taken notice and appears to be a huge fan. He began campaigning this week for Rousey to go on a date with him, but honestly, he’d be happy if she just came to see him play baseball. It’s been pretty hilarious and Giansanti has gone the extra mile to make sure she can come see any Iowa Cubs game she chooses. I think she should, but I’m biased, because I love baseball.
There you go @RondaRousey A ticket will be waiting for you at will call… 7 o'clock game in Des Moines. Everyday. pic.twitter.com/kSA1O7Qw4i
— Anthony Giansanti (@GianSanity) July 16, 2015
Best Promotion of the Upcoming Weekend
If you’ve ever been to a minor-league baseball game, you’re likely aware that the teams have some great promotions. They are sometimes fun, sometimes silly, sometimes downright bonkers, and they ultimately are a large part of what make the minor league experience so much fun. Here, I will highlight an upcoming promotion that stands out to me.
South Bend Cubs vs. West Michigan Whitecaps, Sunday, July 19, America’s Best Frisbee Dogs Performance. I’m a real sucker for dogs, and if you’ve ever seen frisbee dogs perform, you’ll know that this sort of thing is excellent. The South Bend Cubs are also doing Bark in the Park, so this is gonna be a great time for everyone. There will be dogs, baseball, and frisbee dogs performing intricate and fun routines. What else could you possibly ask for from a minor league baseball game?
Odds and Ends
- Hollywood actors Lisa Varga and Kevin Farley will be in town filming their new indie film Crowning Jules, so they’ll be stopping by to throw out the first pitch at Saturday night’s South Bend Cubs game.
- This is a really great advertising partnership for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and it can only mean more business for the Cubs’ High-A affiliate.