Chicago Cubs Minor League Recap: Matt Shaw and Kevin Alcantara dominate and Brennen Davis returns
The Chicago Cubs minor league teams now feature a three-way tie atop the system standings as their AAA, AA and Low-A teams are all 17 games above .500.
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Iowa Cubs (AAA) (69-52)
The Iowa Cubs lost to the Indianapolis Indians 2-1
Back-to-back one-run losses aren’t what you want to see but the Cubs just couldn’t get the offense going yesterday. Caleb Kilian put together a great start and may have management considering whether or not he’s ready for another look at the big league level if Jordan Wicks doesn’t prove to be the answer for the rest of the season at Wrigley.
Luis Vazquez (SS) went 2-for-3 with a double, a single and an RBI.
PJ Higgins (C) went 1-for-3 with a single and a run scored.
Caleb Kilian (RHP) threw six innings of one-run ball, giving up six hits and no walks while striking out seven.
Brad Boxberger (RHP) was solid in his one inning of work as he gave up no runs on no walks and no hits while striking out one.
Tennessee Smokies (AA) (67-50)
The Tennessee Smokies beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 4-0
A 4-0 win isn’t quite as flashy as the 18-0 win the Lookouts put up against the Smokies on Thursday, but like I said yesterday a win is a win and they all count for the same in the standings.
Pablo Aliendo (C) went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer, three RBI and two runs scored.
BJ Murray (3B) has been piping hot as he went 3-for-5 with a double and two singles.
Bradlee Beesley (OF) went 2-for-4 with a double, a single and two runs scored.
Walker Powell (RHP) was the starting pitcher in this one and he threw six shutout innings allowing just five hits and two walks while striking out five.
South Bend Cubs (A+) (51-65)
The South Bend Cubs beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 18-2
This game had a ton of interesting Cubs tidbits. Obviously anytime you can score 18 runs it’s a good thing, but this game also included a return to action for a (formerly) very important piece in the Cubs farm system, a massive game from their first round pick and some great pitching performances.
Kevin Alcantara (OF) is a monster. He went 3-for-4 with a home run, two singles, an RBI, and three runs scored.
Matt Shaw (SS) is also a monster. He went 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double, four RBI and two runs scored. Like I said when he was drafted, I’d be surprised if he didn’t end the season at AA.
Felix Stevens (OF) went 3-for-4 and came up only a triple shy of the cycle while adding a walk, three RBI and four runs scored.
Brennen Davis (OF) is trying to knock some rust off but unfortunately he looks as overmatched at High-A as he did to start the season at AAA as he went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts.
Brody McCullough (RHP) threw 4.2 innings and allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out three.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A) (68-49)
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans lost to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 10-8
The Pelicans were down 10-5 going into the bottom of the eighth and they stormed back and took some of the momentum by scoring three runs and making it 10-8. Unfortunately that’s where the rally ended and the Pelicans dropped the game to tie them with the Iowa Cubs and the Tennessee Smokies for the best record in the system at 17 games over .500.
Cristian Hernández (SS) went 3-for-5 with a double, two singles, an RBI and three runs scored.
Pedro Ramirez (2B) went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a single, four RBI and two runs scored.
Brett Bateman (OF) went 3-for-5 with three singles and two RBI.
Kevin Valdez (RHP) only lasted 2.2 innings and gave up five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five.