Chicago Cubs Minor League Recap: Cade Horton racks up the Ks

Iowa Cubs (AAA)

The Iowa Cubs lost to the St. Paul Saints 11-6

The I-Cubs struck first yesterday but they couldn’t hold on as they immediately gave the lead back in the bottom of the first inning. They fought back re-took the lead at the top of the sixth but they’d give up three runs each in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings and that ended up being enough for the Saints to take them down.

Nick Madrigal (2B) went 3-for-5 with a double, two singles and two runs scored to raise his OPS at Triple-A to 1.416.

Jared Young (1B) went 3-for-4 with a walk, RBI and a run scored.

Bryce Windham (C) went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI.

Nick Neidert (RHP) started this one and only got through four innings giving up five earned runs on seven hits, two walks and five strikeouts. 

Ryan Jensen (RHP) got the call-up from Double-A and struggled. He went one inning and gave up three earned runs on a hit and three walks while striking out two. 

Manuel Rodriguez (RHP) closed out the game with a scoreless eighth inning in which he gave up two hits and struck out three. 

Tennessee Smokies (AA)

The Tennessee Smokies beat the Rocket City Trash Pandas 11-2

The Smokies were all over the Trash Pandas on Wednesday. The pitching staff didn’t give up a single earned run and the offense put together a solid outing of not only hitting, but hitting for power as they racked up five extra-base hits with almost all of their damage coming in the top of the nonth inning when they dropped eight runs on Rocket City. 

Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF) Went 1-for-5 with his eighth homer of the year, a three-run shot in the ninth inning to salvage an otherwise pretty ordinary day.

Pablo Aliendo (C) went 2-for-5 with two singles, an RBI and a run scored. 

Haydn McGeary (1B) went 1-for-4 with a home run, a walk, two RBI and three runs scored. 

BJ Murray (3B) went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. 

Cole Roederer (OF) went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored. 

DJ Herz (LHP) got the start yesterday and gave up two runs (both unearned) on three hits and two walks across 4.1 innings while striking out five. 

Hunter Bigge (RHP) was solid yesterday as he went two scoreless innings and only gave up one hit while walking none and striking out three to lower his season ERA to 2.28.

Riley Martin (LHP) closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning. He walked three but he struck out two and managed to keep the Trash Pandas off the board. 

South Bend Cubs (A+)

The South Bend Cubs beat the Lansing Lugnuts 1-0

What a game. The Cubs were outhit by the Lugnuts Wednesday and there were only a total of seven hits in the whole game but the Cubs made sure that one of theirs was a little more meaningful than Lansing. They received stellar pitching performances to complete the shutout and have a lot to be proud of after their showing. 

Kevin Made (SS) went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and the only run scored of the game. 

Yohendrick Pinango (OF) went 1-for-3 with a double. 

Cade Horton (RHP) was excellent again yesterday. He went five scoreless innings and only gave up two hits with no walks and ten strikeouts. I may have said that you should always draft a college hitter in the first round but Cade Horton is looking pretty good right now. 

Adam Laskey (LHP) was great as well. Although he didn’t get a strikeout he did pitch a perfect sixth inning.

Zac Leigh (RHP) Also pitched a perfect inning, but his came in the ninth with a little more pressure and he did strikeout one as he maintained his perfect 0.00 ERA.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A)

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans beat the Augusta GreenJackets 7-3

Myrtle Beach never trailed in this one and aside from an interesting conclusion that saw Augusta score three runs in the top of the ninth, there was really never much concern about the outcome. Another player made his debut with a bang and one of the organization's most covered pitchers was spectacular again. 

Felix Stevens (OF) went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, his ninth of the season.

Jefferson Rojas (SS) is a newcomer on this list as he played his first Low-A game yesterday. He went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. Not a bad first day at the office. 

Juan Mora (3B) went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and two singles. 

Moises Ballesteros (C) went 2-for-4 with a double, a single, a walk, an RBI and two runs scored. 

Michael Arias (RHP) was great again. I feel like I say this everytime he pitches but man, I’m glad the Blue Jays thought he was only a shortstop. He went five innings of scoreless baseball giving up only one hit and three walks while striking out five. 

Saul Gonzalez (RHP) got the final two outs in this one to secure the win while striking out both of the batters he faced.

In addition to our Chicago Minor League Recaps, Prospect of the Week, and Prospect of the Month pieces, we'll also be starting a weekly mailbag and linking the form to ask your questions at the top of each daily recap. If you've got questions about specific prospects or the farm in general, ask them here!