SB Nation - John-Ford Griffin

All Assumptions-Are-Dangerous Minor League Free Agent Team

Jeff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:07:19 -0000

Dave at Fangraphs passed along a link to this year's crop of minor league free agents. A popular thing to do with this information is pick out a handful of guys that would make interesting and potentially worthwhile pick-ups. This is not that. This is a full team made up of guys who, years ago, were supposed to go on to do some big big things, only to end up on the fall 2009 list of mlFA's. Consider this just another reminder that you should never ever ever take a prospect's future for granted.*

C: JR House
1B: Ryan Shealy
2B: Josh Barfield
SS: Antonio Perez
3B: Dallas McPherson
LF: Wes Bankston
CF: Joe Borchard
RF: John-Ford Griffin
DH: Josh Phelps

BENCH-C: JD Closser (does Ben Davis still count?)
BENCH-INF: Eric Duncan
BENCH-OF: Dave Krynzel
BENCH-UTIL: Donnie Murphy

SP: Jerome Williams
SP: Greg Miller
SP: Kenny Baugh
SP: Humberto Sanchez
SP: Bobby Brownlie

RP: Jose Capellan
RP: Wes Littleton
RP: Casey Fossum
RP: John Van Benschoten
RP: Chad Orvella
RP: Clint Everts
RP: Andrew Brown

If there were a 26th spot, I'd give it to Dee Brown, but it would just be so damn easy to include him that I had to find an alternative. Also among the free agents are formerly established Major Leaguers like Chris Capuano and Chad Cordero, along with the astonishingly driven Jolbert Cabrera. Jolbert just wants to win. Come on, Yankees. Take the plunge. Win one for Jolbert.

If there were a 27th spot, I'd give it to Mark McGonigle, because, really? McGonigle?

* never take any player's future for granted

Cubs Minor League Wrap--September 6, 2009

Josh77 — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:41:52 -0000

For some teams, the season ended today. For others, the good stuff is just starting.

We're going to start with the good news today.

Tennessee Smokies (38-31)

Cover the furniture with plastic, Ryno, because you've just led the Tennessee Smokies to a second-half division title with a 7-0 shutout of the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx.

Starter Hung-Wen Chen has been much better in the second half than the first half, and his improvement has played a role in the Smokies turnaround. So it's only fitting today that he shut down the Diamond Jaxx for seven innings. He gave up only three hits and issued only two walks, although he plunked another two batters as well. Chen fanned six Diamond Jaxx.

Left fielder James Adduci broke the game open with a two-run home run in the sixth, which made the score 3-0 at the time. It was Adduci's fourth home run of the season. Adduci later added a two-run single. Adduci was 2 for 4 overall with four RBI and two runs scored.

Center fielder Brandon Guyer was 2 for 4 with a double. He had one RBI and scored twice. DH Blake Lalli and first baseman Russ Canzler were both 2 for 4 with a run scored. One of Canzler's two hits was a double.

The Smokies have one more game tomorrow and then will face first half champion Huntsville in a best of five series that will start in Alabama on Thursday.

Iowa Cubs (72-71)

The Iowa Cubs ionized the Albuquerque Isotopes, 3-1.

Well, Jay Jackson never got a chance to pitch again for Tennessee, but today he got his first start for AAA Iowa. He was pretty good as gave up only one run over six innings to get the win. Jackson gave up five hits, including a solo home run that accounted for all the Albuquerque scoring. Jackson walked three and struck out four.

Blake Parker pitched the ninth and got save number 22. He didn't allow any hits but he walked one and struck out one.

Third baseman Matt Camp went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. Left fielder John-Ford Griffin went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Right fielder Brad Snyder was 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Catcher Mark Johnson has been injured most of the season. The last time he made the Minor League Wrap was May 29. Today he makes it one more time before the season ends by going 2 for 4 with an RBI triple.

The I-Cubs will play their final game tomorrow. The only thing they have left to play for is to see if they can finish the season with a winning record.

Daytona Cubs (30-38, 64-71 overall)

The Daytona Cubs finished their season today with a 7-4 loss to the Clearwater Threshers.

Oswaldo Martinez started but only went two innings as the D-Cubs were giving several pitchers one last time on the mound. Martinez allowed one run on one hit, which was a triple. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.

Ryan Searle got the loss in relief. Searle gave up three runs on two hits over 1.2 innings of work. He walked two and struck out one.

Shortstop Nate Samson went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBI. DH Jericho Jones was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI.

Peoria Chiefs (42-26)

The Chiefs lost to the Clinton LumberKings, 5-4.

Starter Chris Archer was solid today, allowing only one run on four hits over five innings. Even better news is that he struck out six and only walked one.

Kevin Kreier took the loss with a rough inning of relief. Kreier allowed three runs, two earned, on three hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

Right fielder Kyler Burke hit home run number 15 today with a man on in the first inning. Burke was 2 for 4 with a walk.

DH Jovan Rosa was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored. Left fielder Nelson Perez went 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Michael Brenly has had a nice season. Today he went 2 for 4 with a double.

The Chiefs finish their regular season tomorrow and play Cedar Rapids in a best-of-three series starting on Wednesday.

Boise Hawks (34-42)

The Hawks season ended today with a 7-6 win over the Tri-City Dust Devils.

Yohan Gonzalez got the win with three innings of relief. He gave up only one run on one hit. He walked one and struck out two.

Steven Grife got the save. He went one scoreless inning. He walked one and struck out one. He did not allow a hit.

Catcher Richard Jones was 2 for 3 with his second home run of he year. He scored twice and also walked once.

Left fielder Runey Davis was 2 for 3 with a triple. He scored once and had two RBI.

We'll see the Hawks again next June.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 28

Josh77 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:59:54 -0000

Believe it or not, the D-Cubs threw another no-hitter tonight, less than two weeks after the last one. It was another one of the seven-inning no-nos.

Generally good news from the farm tonight, although Brett Jackson went on the DL with a sore right wrist.

Iowa Cubs (69-65)

The Iowa Cubs moved into second place with a 4-2 victory over the Oklahoma City RedHawks.

Jeff Samardzija dominated tonight for six shutout innings tonight. He gave up only three singles and one walk. The Shark struck out six.

Jeff Stevens threw two perfect innings of relief, striking out three.

The I-Cubs were paced tonight by a pair of solo home runs. The first as a third-inning shot by right fielder Brad Snyder, his 14th on the season. Snyder was 1 for 3 with a walk overall. The second one was an insurance run in the eighth inning by DH Matt Craig. It was his fourth home run for Iowa, seventh in the PCL and 11th overall. Craig was 2 for 4 on the night with two runs scored.

Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 3 with two stolen bases. Barney had one RBI and scored once. Left fielder John-Ford Griffin was 2 for 3 with a walk.

The Iowa Cubs are two games behind the Memphis Redbirds in the standings with ten games to play. They have no games left with Memphis, however.

Tennessee Smokies (33-28)

The Smokies late-inning heroics just keep on coming. They scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to stun the Mobile Bay Bears, 3-2 and move back into a tie for first place.

Starter Chris Carpenter allowed one run on five hits in his six inning start. He didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

David Cales got the win with two innings of relief. Cales gave up two hits and a walk, but didn't allow any runs. He did not strike anyone out.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin had the big blow, an RBI double that tied the score in the two-run ninth. He later scored the winning run on Doug Deeds' pinch-hit single. Colvin was 1 for 4.

Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4. Catcher Welington Castillo went 2 for 3.

Daytona Cubs (27-33)

The Daytona Cubs split a double-header tonight, losing the first game, 3-2 in nine innings and winning the second game, 3-0 as the D-Cubs staff tossed their second seven-inning no-hitter in less than two weeks.

In the first game, Ryan Searle started and allowed two runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. Searle walked one and struck out six.

Chris Siegfried pitched the ninth inning and took the loss, allowing a run on two hits. He struck out one.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. First baseman Jake Opitz and center fielder Tony Campana were both 2 for 4.

The no-hitter was in the second game, as starter Oswaldo Martinez pitched the first four innings, walking two and striking out one. Martinez has now pitched in four games since signing out of the Mexican League: two of those games were no-hitters. He pitched two-thirds of an inning in his Cub debut on August 15.

Mike Perconte finished the no-no and got the win since Martinez didn't go five innings. Perconte walked one and fanned three.

Jake Opitz was the DH for the second game and was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Peoria Chiefs (37-23)

The Peoria Chiefs were knocked on their ears by the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 8-3.

Justin Bristow started but only lasted two innings. He allowed three runs on four hits. Bristow walked four and struck out two.

Jeff Beliveau pitched much better in relief, but got the loss anyway. Beliveau allowed one run over his four innings of relief. He surrendered five hits. He didn't walk anyone and he struck out four.

Center fielder David Macias had a two-run double in a 1 for 4 game. The Chiefs did not have a hit after the second inning tonight.

Boise Hawks (30-37)

The Hawks were officially eliminated from the playoffs tonight with a 7-2 loss to the Spokane Indians.

Chris Rusin started and took the loss. He went four innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha hit his second home run in the second inning. The solo shot was his only hit in a 1 for 4 game. Shortstop George Matheus went 2 for 5 with a double.

AZL Cubs (13-15, 29-27 overall)

Beat the Brewers, 3-0.

The rookie league team's season is now over.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 24

Josh77 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:12:45 -0000

Man, summer colds suck. They're even worse when you're trying to take care of an infant. Then you're responsible for cleaning up two people's messes.

Jeremy Papelbon was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week.

Iowa Cubs (66-64)

The Iowa Cubs zipped past the New Orleans Zephyrs, 7-4.

Starter Mitch Atkins improved his record to 7-11 with a strong start tonight. Atkins went seven innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out five.

David Patton's rehab appearance did not go well. He gave up two runs on a home run in the eighth inning and got in trouble in the ninth before Vince Perkins was summoned from the bullpen to get the final out. Patton went 1.2 innings and allowed the two runs on two hits and three walks. He struck out two. Perkins got his third save while facing two batters. He walked the first one and then struck out the final batter to end the game.

Left fielder John-Ford Griffin had two doubles in a 2 for 5 game. He scored twice and knocked two in. First baseman Micah Hoffpauir also went 2 for 5 and had one double. Hoffpauir had three RBI and scored once.

Tennessee Smokies (31-27)

The Smokies remained in a tie for first place tonight as they filleted the Carolina Mudcats, 16-9.

Andrew Cashner has been struggling, really for the first time in his professional career. Tonight he couldn't go the necessary five innings to pick up the win, despite leaving with a 13-5 lead. Cashner went 4.1 innings and allowed five runs on seven hits. The really bad news was that he walked five and struck out only one. Two of the runs Cashner allowed in the five-run first inning were unearned, however

Dustin Sasser was given the win in relief. Sasser threw two shutout innings. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out two.

The Smokies banged out 19 hits tonight, led by Tyler Colvin, who got his batting average up to .305 with a 4 for 6 game. Colvin doubled once. He had one RBI and scored once.

Catcher Welington Castillo was 3 for 6 with two doubles. He scored once and had two RBI. First baseman Russ Canzler went 2 for 5 with a double and a walk. Canzler scored twice and had two RBI. Shortstop Starlin Castro was 2 for 6 with two doubles. He had one RBI and one run scored. First baseman Blake Lalli had a four RBI night. He also scored once in a 2 for 4 night. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 3 with three walks. Adduci scored four times. He also stole a base.

Two Smokies homered tonight. Left fielder Ty Wright hit his ninth homer in the first inning with a man on. Wright went 3 for 4 with a double and two walks. He scored three times. Second baseman Tony Thomas hit #11 in the second inning with the bases empty. Thomas was 1 for 3 with two walks.

Daytona Cubs

Had the night off.

Peoria Chiefs (35-21)

The Chiefs had been bludgeoning opponents lately, but tonight they used their pitching and defense to shut out the Quad City River Bandits, 2-0.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx has made six starts for the Peoria Chiefs, and in those six starts he's gone 5-1 with a 1.70 ERA. (He also has one win as a reliever.) Tonight he had seven shutout innings and allowed only four hits and one walk. Bibens-Dirkx struck out six. ABD is 24 and washed out of the Mariners organization, so we need to temper our enthusiasm a little. Still, if he keeps this up, signing him out of the independent leagues is going to be a major coup for our scouting team.

Chris Huseby got the save number 18. Huseby pitched 1.1 innings and allowed only one hit. Huseby struck out two.

Third baseman David Macias was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. First baseman Rebel Ridling was 2 for 3 with a double.

Boise Hawks (30-33)

The Hawks lost to the Spokane Indians 14-5.

Starter Robert Hernandez allowed three runs on four hits over four innings. He walked three and struck out six. The rest of the pitching staff were worse.

Second baseman Logan Watkins was 2 for 3 with two doubles and two walks. Watkins scored once. Third baseman Greg Rohan had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. He scored once and had two RBI.

Left fielder Robert Wagner hit his third home run tonight. Wagner was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

AZL Cubs (11-13)

Did not play. Their season ends Friday night.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 23

Josh77 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:15:23 -0000

Iowa Cubs (65-64)

The Iowa Cubs split a double-header with the New Orleans Zephrys, losing the first one, 6-0 and then taking the second one, 2-1.

Jeff Samardzija started and lost the first game. Samardzija threw four innings and gave up six runs, four earned and two unearned, on eight hits. Two of the hits were home runs. The Shark walked one and struck out four.

The I-Cubs only had four hits in Game 1.

They only managed six hits in game two, but that was enough as Casey Fossum dominated the Zephyrs tonight for five shutout innings. Fossum gave up a leadoff double to start the game, and then proceeded to retire 15 batters in a row. Fossum struck out eight.

Blake Parker pitched the ninth inning and got save number 18. He walked one batter but otherwise struck out the other three Zephyrs.

Left fielder John-Ford Griffin was 2 for 2 with a double and both I-Cub RBI. He also walked once.

Tennessee Smokies (30-27)

The Smokies moved back into a tie for first place with a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Mudcats.

Jeremy Papelbon was impressive in his start today. He picked up his fifth win by pitching five shutout innings. He gave up four hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out four. David Cales got his first save with the Smokies (15th overall) with 1.1 innings of relief. He didn't allow any runs but allowed two hits in the ninth before pitching out of trouble. Cales fanned one.

Shortstop Starlin Castro went 2 for 5 with a double He scored once. First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 5 with an RBI. Outfielder Doug Deeds had two doubles in a 2 for 4 game. Deeds also scored once.

Daytona Cubs (24-31)

Daytona beat up the Brevard County Manatees, 11-2.

Rafael Dolis started and picked up the win. He allowed one run on five hits over five innings. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one

The D-Cubs banged out 16 hits today. Right fielder Brandon Guyer had 3 hits in 5 ABs. He scored twice and had two RBI. Center fielder Tony Campana was 3 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Campana also had one RBI.

Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt was 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Second baseman Nate Samson went 2 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBI.

DH Jericho Jones was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored. Catcher Mark Reed went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Peoria Chiefs (34-21)

The Chiefs finally lost one tonight as they were cut down to size by the Clinton LumberKings, 4-1.

Starter Justin Bristow went five innings and allowed two runs on three hits. He walked one and struck out five.

Third baseman Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. First baseman Rebel Ridling was just 2 for 5.

Both right fielder Kyler Burke and DH Nelson Perez were 2 for 3 with a walk.

Boise Hawks (30-32)

The Hawks spanked the Spokane Indians, 4-3.

Corey Martin was awarded the win in relief since the starting pitcher, Christopher Rusin, didn't go five innings. In this case, however, the win was well-deserved as Martin pitched the final three innings without allowing a run. Martin gave up one hit and issued one walk. Martin struck out two.

The following six Hawks went 2 for 4: Second baseman Logan Watkins, third baseman Greg Rohan, left fielder Robert Wagner, catcher Richard Jones, DH Derrick Fitzgerald and shortstop George Matheus, Wagner and Watkins both had one double as one of their two hits. Watkins also stole a base.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Brewers 9-6.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 20

Josh77 — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 06:34:03 -0000

More photos » by Wilfredo Lee - ASSOCIATED PRESS

Zambrano was just fine tonight in Peoria.

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A Big Z sighting down in Peoria tonight. It's all good.

Iowa Cubs (64-61)

The Iowa Cubs trapped the Portland Beavers, 3-1.

J.R. Mathes went eight strong innings to improve his record to 12-6. He allowed only one unearned run on five hits. He walked one and struck out three.

Blake Parker notched his 17th save with a perfect ninth. He struck out two.

Left fielder John-Ford Griffin was 2 for 3 with two RBI. He also walked once. Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

Tennessee Smokies (28-26)

The Smokies gave up six runs in the ninth inning and lost to the Chattanooga Lookouts, 8-6.

Starter Hung-Wen Chen pitched well tonight, going 5.1 innings and allowing two runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out nine. Chen has greatly increased his K/IP ratio since the All-Star Break.

When Brian Schlitter blows a save, he blows a save. Tonight he entered the game in the ninth after Jayson Ruhlman allowed three runs without retiring a batter and gave up three runs on three hits and two walks while only getting one out.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin hit home run #11 tonight. Even more impressively, he walked twice. Colvin was 1 for 3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Shortstop Starlin Castro went 3 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base. He scored one run and batted two in. Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Daytona Cubs (22-30)

The Daytona Cubs were shipwrecked by the Brevard County Manatees, 10-2.

Starter James Leverton allowed six runs on four hits over 5.1 innings to take the loss. Three of the runs were unearned, so his defense didn't help him any. Neither did the four walks he issued. Leverton struck out one.

Josh Vitters had one of the D-Cubs four hits, if that makes anyone feel any better.

Peoria Chiefs (32-20)

The Chiefs are running away with the second-half division title as tonight they won their fourth in a row by shutting out the Clinton LumberKings, 3-0.

Starter Carlos Zambrano went five innings tonight and the overmatched Clinton hitters only got four hits. Even better, Zambrano struck out five and didn't walk anyone.

Chris Huseby picked up his 17th save tonight. He allowed one hit in the one inning he pitched. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

Center fielder Brett Jackson and second baseman Ryan Flaherty both went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Flaherty also had one RBI.

Shortstop DJ LeMahieu was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks (28-31)

The Hawks thumped the Yakima Bears, 9-3.

Kenneth McNutt tossed 3.2 innings of shutout relief to pick up the win. He gave up only one hit and one walk. He struck out two.

Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha had two doubles and four RBI tonight. He went 2 for 5 and scored once. Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was 3 for 5 with two doubles and a stolen base. Lee scored twice and had one RBI.

Center fielder Jose Valdez was 3 for 4.

AZL Cubs

Lost t the Angels, 7-6 in 12 innings.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 17

Josh77 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:48:10 -0000

Quick note: Today in Baseball Prospectus, Kevin Goldstein wrote ($) "Midwest League scouts are wondering how [Brett] Jackson dropped to the 31^st overall pick. . . Jackson's power/speed combination is moving him up prospect lists while others wait to get their pro career even started."

Thought you might want some good news.

Iowa Cubs (63-59)

The Iowa Cubs topped the Tacoma Raniers, 5-3.

Starter Casey Fossum got the win tonight, going five innings and giving up two runs on four hits. Fossum walked one and struck out three.

Blake Parker pitched the ninth inning and gave up a run, but qualified for his sixteenth save anyway. He allowed one hit, which was a solo home run. He didn't walk or strike out anyone.

I guess Andres Blanco is doing well in his "rehab" assignment. Tonight he homered and doubled in a 2 for 4 game. He scored twice and had the one RBI. Blanco also walked once.

Left fielder John-Ford Griffin was 2 for 5. Shortstop Darwin Barney went 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies (26-25)

The Smokies blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts, 3-2.

Chris Carpenter went five innings and allowed one run on only two hits. He did walk three batters, but he struck out four.

Dustin Sasser got the win in relief after he allowed the tying run to score in the seventh inning. Brian Schlitter retired all four batters he faced to get his 18th save. He didn't have a strikeout.

First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 3 with a two-run double and a walk. Right fielder Tyler Colvin was 2 for 4 with a triple. Shorstop Starlin Castro was 2 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Daytona Cubs (21-28)

The Daytona Cubs split a double-header with the Tampa Yankees, 3-2 and 0-13.

Ryan Searle started the first game and allowed only one run over 4.2 innings. He surrendered four hits, walked one and struck out two.

Jose Pina got the win, although he gave up a run over. 1.1 innings of relief. He didn't give up a hit although he walked two. Dan McDaniel got the final two outs for his first save without incident.

Third baseman Josh Vitters went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt was also 3 for 4 with a ribbie. First baseman Jake Opitz went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

In the second game, starter Billy Muldowney got rocked for five runs on six hits over 1.2 innings. He walked two and didn't have a strikeout.

Right fielder Brandon Guyer went 2 for 3. Third baseman Josh Vitters was also 2 for 3, so maybe everyone can stop panicking about him.

Peoria Chiefs (30-20)

The Chiefs continue to roll as they apprehended the Quad City River Bandits, 7-1.

No one has been a bigger surprise this year than Austin Biebens-Dirkx. Tonight he went six innings and allowed only one unearned run on two hits. ABD walked two and struck out one. Since being signed out of the independent leagues in July, Biebens-Dirkx has gone 5-1 with a 1.93 ERA. His two walks tonight were the most he's allowed in any appearance all season.

For the third straight game, DH Ryan Flaherty homered. The third inning solo shot was his 19th of the season. Flaherty was 3 for 5 and scored twice.

Right fielder Kyler Burke was 2 for 2 with a double and two walks. He scored once and had two RBI.

Boise Hawks (26-30)

The Hawks won their fourth in a row as they stopped the Spokane Indians, 5-1.

Josh Whitlock picked up the win with four innings of shutout relief. The Indians had three hits and a walk off of Whitlock, but he struck out five.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was 2 for 5 with two stolen bases and two runs scored. Second baseman Logan Watkins went 2 for 2 with a walk and two runs scored.

AZL Cubs

Thumped the Royals, 9-3.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 13

Josh77 — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:38:01 -0000

Have I mentioned lately that the minor leagues are all about hope?

Iowa Cubs

Are off to Washington for their one West Coast swing this year. They play Tacoma tomorrow, so expect the wraps to be later than usual--or at least, later than the days I don't fall asleep on the couch before I do the writeup.

Tennessee Smokies (23-25)

The Smokies were burned by the Jacksonville Suns, 7-3.

Andrew Cashner was better tonight than in his last start, although he was a little wild. Cashner went five innings an gave up only one run on two hits. Cashner did walk four and struck out only two.

Alex Maestri had been pitching pretty well lately, at least until tonight when he allowed five runs in only an inning of relief. That inning included two home runs.

Third baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. He also scored once. Catcher Robinson Chirinos went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He had one RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs figured they'd gone quite a while without a rainout, so they scheduled one tonight.

Peoria Chiefs (27-19)

The Chiefs beat the Burlington Bees, 6-5.

Starter Jeffry Antigua didn't pitch that well, but he pitched well enough to get the win. Antigua allowed four runs on seven hits during his five inning start. He walked one and struck out four.

Chris Huseby got in a little trouble, but he nailed down his 16th save eventually. Huseby pitched the final two innings and allowed one run on a hit and a hit batsman. Huseby didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

The home runs just keep on coming for the Chiefs. Last night it was Jackson, tonight right fielder Kyler Burke hit two home runs. Both were solo shots and Burke now has eleven home runs on the season. Overall, Burke was 3 for 4 with three RBI.

The first of Burke's two home runs was in the first inning and came back-to-back after Rebel Ridling hit his 15th home run with a man on. Ridling went 1 for 3 with a walk and the two RBI.

Third baseman Ryan Flaherty went 4 for 4 with two runs scored.

Boise Hawks (23-30)

Burundi Davis singled home Robert Wagner with two outs in the bottom of the ninth as the Hawks edged the Everett Aqua Sox, 8-7.

Dionis Nunez pitched a perfect top of the ninth to get his third win. The other two Hawk pitchers, including Robert Hernandez, are hoping to forget tonight's game.

Center fielder Davis went 2 for 5 tonight with a run scored and two RBI. Also, I discovered that Burundi Davis goes by the name "Runey," so from now on he will be Runey Davis in the recaps. Just so you know it's the same guy. The name change probably means he won't get invited to be in the movie with Rebel Ridling and Jericho Jones (Directed by John-Ford Griffin). Probably for the best, since we all know what usually happens to the black guy in that kind of movie.

Back on topic, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee went 2 for 4 with his second home run of the season. Lee also doubled and walked. His home run was a three-run blast in the bottom of the second inning. Lee scored twice.

Second baseman Logan Watkins was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored. First baseman Justin Bour went 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI.

AZL Cubs

Topped the Brewers, 7-1.

Cubs Lose 11-5, Fall Two Games Out - But Cubs Win, Too! (Iowa Cubs, That Is)

Al — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:46:14 -0000

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

Sorry, Randy. It just wasn't your day.

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Most of what I'm going to write about today's game is going to be from the boxscore and a bit of following along by cellphone while I was at Wrigley Field watching the Iowa Cubs defeat the Las Vegas 51's 5-4.

Let me first praise Milton Bradley for having perhaps the best day he's had in a Cubs uniform -- 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI, raising his average to .266 and his OBA to .401. In seven August games he's now hitting .450/.571/.550 -- and I think he's now in the perfect spot in the batting order for him, second. Clearly, he puts too much pressure on himself to produce when he's hitting in a RBI spot (fifth, much of the year), and batting him second gives him a real chance to be on base, as we have seen, more than half the time this month (after posting a .457 OBA in July). He's playing good defense and running the bases well.

It's not exactly what Jim Hendry had hoped for when he signed Bradley last offseason, but this type of production is something we haven't seen from many -- or really, any -- Cubs players over the last ten years or so.

I won't pin today's loss on Randy Wells, either, though he struggled and allowed seven runs (five earned) in 5.1 innings. His defense deserted him and the Cubs made three errors in all, and Jeff Stevens got hit pretty hard in his inning-plus of work, putting the game, which resulted in an 11-5 Cubs loss, out of reach. Combined with the Cardinals' come-from-behind win over a really bad Pirates team (thankfully, the Cubs get to play them next weekend), the Cubs now sit two games behind St. Louis.

Mostly, I'm going to pin this loss on the offense, which generated 17 hits, including six extra-base hits, but couldn't get many of them home. The Cubs left RISP in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th innings -- ridiculous, in my opinion, and left 13 on base all told. It was clear that Lou Piniella had no interest in watching this mess -- he got himself tossed in the second inning.

There's still a chance for the Cubs to split the series (and road trip) against a very good Rockies team tomorrow night... so, look forward to that, and below the fold is my recap of the Iowa/Las Vegas game.

Travis Snider is the guy I was hoping the Cubs would select in the first round of the 2006 draft. Instead, they selected Tyler Colvin; he's been dissected many times on this site, and after seeing Snider pound out a pair of homers at Wrigley today, I'm holding to my position that passing on Snider (who was picked by the Blue Jays with the pick right after the Cubs) was a mistake. Snider, who is only 21 (three years younger than Colvin), has already had a couple of cups o' coffee in the major leagues (posting a .736 OPS with 5 HR in 172 AB) and will likely be in the Blue Jays' starting outfield by 2011 at the latest, perhaps even next year.

That was the parlor game to play today, given that this, unlike last year's "Road To Wrigley" game, was a Triple-A game: "How many players in today's game have played at Wrigley before?" Snider wasn't one of them, but I counted no fewer than six (Buck Coats, Marty McLeary, So Taguchi, Luis Rivas, Bobby Scales, and Micah Hoffpauir), seven if you want to count Justin Berg, who was on the Cubs' 25-man roster briefly last month, warmed up a couple of times, but didn't get into a game. Howie Clark, a 35-year-old veteran of six major league seasons, has also played against the Cubs and former Cub minor leaguer Brian Dopirak has surfaced again in the Blue Jays organization.

How weird must it have been for Micah Hoffpauir, who was in the major leagues with the Cubs all year till Friday, to return to Wrigley as an Iowa Cub? (He got loud ovations every time his name was announced.) His average shown on the scoreboard was blank, which means today was his first minor league game of the year (if he had any AB without hits, it would have shown as .000). I suspect when the Cubs sent him down, they probably told him simply to go to Chicago and wait for the Iowa team to meet him there. Hoffpauir had a bloop double in four at-bats and played both first base and right field. Iowa hitting stars were John-Ford Griffin, who homered onto Sheffield (I was surprised there weren't more homers, with the temperature a stifling, humid 87 degrees and the wind howling out to CF at what was reported at 11 MPH, but it had to be at least twice that), and Darwin Barney, who had a pair of hits.

John Gaub, who has put up gaudy numbers since being promoted, was called on in the seventh, issued a walk and struck out Howie Clark, and then was yanked -- couldn't possibly let him face a right-handed hitter, right? (Granted, it was Randy Ruiz, who has 106 RBI in 113 Triple-A games this year.) Vince Perkins came on and retired Ruiz on a fly to center.

The game is played at just a slightly slower pace than a major league game. You can clearly see why certain players are at that level and can't get any higher, or, as in the case of guys like Clark, Ruiz, Coats and Taguchi, are hanging on, trying to get one more shot at a major league game. The Las Vegas third baseman, Kevin Howard, who got into some of the antics with the "Zooperstars" mascots who appeared today, is in his seventh year in the minors with his seventh organization and you could see why today -- he made two throwing errors on routine ground balls which led to a couple of Iowa runs.

Blake Parker closed the game for his 13th save, but not before allowing a home run to Angel Sanchez. Attendance was 16,280, about half of what the Cubs drew for the minor league game featuring the Peoria Chiefs last year -- possible reasons: a Sunday afternoon isn't going to draw as well as a Tuesday night; it's a lot farther to Des Moines than it is to Peoria, meaning fewer people would follow the team (although a few busloads from Iowa were dropped off on Waveland), and the heat may have kept a few people from walking up on the day of the game. Ran into BCB reader Damen Jackson today; he had a seat near the photographer's bay and hopefully, will have some pictures to post here later on.

We will no doubt see Hoffpauir returning to the Cubs after September 1, and Scales may also be brought up. Apart from that, I don't see anyone who was in today's game who looks like a "hot prospect", nor will be back in Chicago this year (with the possible exception of Justin Berg). The real Cub prospects are at the lower levels of the organization. Perhaps we'll see some of them at Wrigley in the near future.

Cubs Minor League Wrap--August 7

Josh77 — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:15:01 -0000

Maybe when Bruce Miles wrote that Andrew Cashner wouldn't get called up in September, he meant because he'll be up next week to replace Zambrano. (I'm not advocating that now, but the way things are going, I might soon.)

As Al noted in a fanshot, Jason Dubois was traded to the Mets. Good luck, Jason.

Iowa Cubs

Four of a kind beats a pair as the Iowa Cubs busted the Reno Aces, 4-2.

Starter Casey Fossum improved his record to 3-4 by allowing only one run on two hits over six innings of work. Fossum walked two and struck out six.

Vince Perkins gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the ninth, but still got his second save. Perkins struck out one Ace.

First baseman Bobby Scales was 3 for 4 with an RBI. Left fielder John-Ford Griffin was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Catcher Chris Robinson also went 2 for 4 with a double.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were vassalized by the Birmingham Barons, 4-3.

Starter Jeremy Papelbon went 6.1 innings tonight, giving up three runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Alex Maestri gave up the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on a two-out single. Maestri pitched the final 2.1 innings of the game, allowing the one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out four.

Right fielder Doug Deeds was 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Daytona Cubs

The D-Cubs were blanked by the hated Brevard County Manatees, 3-0.

Starter Rafael Dolis went four innings. He gave up one run on three hits and three walks. Dolis also struck out three.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez went 2 for 3 with a walk.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs defanged the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 6-5.

Starter Jeffry Antigua only gave up one hit tonight in 4.2 innings. Unfortunately, it was a solo home run. He also walked two batters in the fifth that came around to score after he left the game, so he was charged with three runs on one hit and two walks. Antigua struck out six.

Chris Huseby pitched the final 1.1 innings to pick up the win. Huseby allowed only one baserunner on a hit batsman. He struck out two.

Right fielder Kyler Burke had a big night tonight, going 4 for 5. He scored one run. Center fielder Brett Jackson hit his second home run for Peoria, a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the first. Jackson was 1 for 4 with an (intentional) walk and two runs scored.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks hung the Everett Aqua Sox out to dry, 3-0.

A good start tonight for Robert Hernandez, who went six innings and gave up six hits. He didn't walk a batter (although he hit two) and struck out four.

Dionis Nunez finished out the game with two perfect innings to notch his fourth save. Nunez fanned three.

Third baseman Greg Rohan hit his third home run in a 3 for 4 effort. Catcher Richard Jones went 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. He scored twice.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Angels, 5-0.