Chicago Cubs Minor League Recap: Nick Madrigal and Pete Crow-Armstrong shine

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!

Iowa Cubs (AAA)

The Iowa Cubs lost to the Columbus Clippers 10-7

The offense showed up in this one but after the starter was only able to go 3.1 innings, the bullpen couldn’t find their footing. They pitched the next 5.2 innings and gave up eight runs with each reliever giving up at least one run in their less than two-inning performance. There was a lot to like and a lot to not. 

Nick Madrigal (3B) was spectacular again. He went 1-2 with a double, three walks, and a run scored. There has to be a place for him on a roster that still finds a place for Edwin Rios and Miles Mastrobuoni.

Brennen Davis (OF) finally put up a line that makes me happy to write about. He went 2-5 with his seventh double of the season and two RBI. He also picked up an outfield assist on defense so a great all-around game for the former top prospect.  

Yonathan Perlaza (OF) went 2-5 with a home run, a run scored and two RBI.

David Bote (2B) showed up today. Most people have forgotten Bote, but he’s been in Iowa quietly toiling away. He went 3-3, only a triple shy of the cycle, and also walked twice while driving in two runs and scoring three himself. 

Riley Thompson (RHP) started the game and gave up two earned runs over 3.1 innings on five hits and two walks while striking out two. 

Brendon Little (LHP) pitched the next 1.2 innings and was considerably worse. He allowed three earned runs on two hits a walk and only struck out one. 

Keegan Thompson (RHP) still hasn’t found his command. He went 1.2 innings, gave up two earned runs on only one hit, but he walked five and struck out four. 

Bailey Horn (LHP) continued the trend of Iowa relievers giving up runs as he lasted 1.1 innings and gave up two earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts. 

Tennessee Smokies (AA)

The Tennessee Smokies beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 5-4

The Smokies had an almost completely opposite game from the Iowa Cubs. The offense wasn’t very strong with the top three in the lineup getting on base seven times and the bottom six of the lineup only able to get on base five times. That being said the result was also the opposite because the Smokies came away with the win due to a strong performance by the bullpen. 

Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF) continued to demand a promotion yesterday. He went 2-4 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. 

Owen Caissie (OF) went 0-2 but he did draw two walks. 

Luis Vazquez (SS) went 3-4 with three singles and two RBI.

Kohl Franklin (RHP) was solid yesterday. He went gave up two earned runs over five innings on three hits and one walk while striking out three. 

Hunter Bigge (RHP) went one scoreless, hitless inning in the 8th. 

Riley Martin (LHP) finished the game out with authority. He pitched a scoreless, hitless 9th inning and struck out three. 

South Bend Cubs (A+)

The South Bend Cubs lost to the Fort Wayne TinCaps 8-2

Today was an absolute struggle. The performances we’ve come to expect from the stars of South Bend were nowhere to be found and the roleplayers didn’t help much either. It was nice to see a former top prospect put together a multi-hit game but the season numbers still leave something to be desired. Let’s move on from this one quickly. 

Christian Franklin (OF) went 2-4 with two singles, raising his batting average on the season to .224.

Fabian Pertuz (3B) was the offensive player of the game for the Cubs as he went 2-3 with a solo home run and a hit by pitch. 

Manuel Espinoza (RHP) is human evidently. He went four innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four. His ERA is still just a 1.80 for the season, but this is the first time this year that he hasn’t completely dominated the opposition.

Eduarniel Nunez (RHP) threw a scoreless 8th inning, working around a walk and a hit as he also struck out one. 

Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A)

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans beat the Salem Red Sox 6-3

This was a good team win. Several bats put together a solid performance with the guys at the top of the order proving why they should be hitting that high, while the starting pitcher was completely dominant. There was a little scare in the middle innings but the Pelicans slammed the door in the 9th inning to come away with the win. 

Rafael Morel (CF/SS) went 1-4 with a double while playing center field and shortstop in this one. 

Moises Ballesteros (C) went 3-4 with a double, two singles, an RBI and a run scored, which raised his season average to .268.

Reivaj García (3B) went 1-3 with two RBI, a stolen base and a run scored. 

Yeison Santana (2B) went 2-4 with a run scored and ran his batting average for the year up to .389.

Parker Chavers (OF) went 2-4 with two RBI and a run scored. 

Pedro Ramirez (DH) continued his bounce back as he went 2-3 with a stolen base and two runs scored out of the DH spot. 

Brody McCullough (RHP) was an absolute monster yesterday. He went five scoreless innings and only allowed one hit and two walks while striking out nine Red Sox. 

Johzan Oquendo (RHP) went 1.2 innings and allowed two walks but struck out three to pick up the save and hold the Red Sox scoreless in his appearance. 

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!

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