Weekly Farm Report: 5/4 – 5/10

AAA: Iowa Cubs (5-2 record on the week)

The I-Cubs had a superb week, going 5-2. They capped off the week with a 14-2 shellacking of the Sky Sox on Sunday.

BREAKING: This is your weekly Javier Baez update. He went 5-23 at the plate and struck out 8 times. I will attribute this to rust, mostly. In 2 weeks’ time, we should be seeing a few hashtags that read “#javybomb” on our twitter timelines.

Junior Lake, who was recently optioned down to Iowa so that he can get regular AB’s, had a really nice game on Saturday going 2-4 with a walk; he also scored 3 runs. By all accounts he has had much improved AB’s going all the way back to winter ball. With the way rosters turn over, he should be back with the big league club sooner rather than later.

On the hill, Donn Roach continued his early season success. Roach started on Friday versus the Sky Sox and was dominant. Sure, he went 6 innings allowing no runs, but what’s most impressive is the 10/2 GB/FB ratio. On the season, Roach boasts a 4-0 record with a 2.17 ERA in 6 starts. Keep up the infestation (okay, maybe not)!

Also enjoying success was Eric Jokisch. The Northwestern alum started 2 games last week, going 12 innings and allowing only 2 runs. He struck out 8 versus only 1 walk.

Hitter of the week: John Andreoli– 9-24, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 5 SB, 4 R

Pitcher of the week: Carlos Pimentel – 2 GS, 11.2 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 6 BB, 12 K (2W)

 

AA: Tennessee Smokies (2-5 record on the week)

The Smokies struggled last week, going 2-5. Surprisingly, the 2 wins were on the same day as Tennessee swept a double header versus Peninsula.

Offense was at a premium and most of the Smokies’ hitters had poor  weeks at the dish. Albert Almora returned from the DL to go 4-15 at the plate. Results take a back seat temporarily when it comes to head injuries, but the hope is that Almora is fully recovered and will soon go on an absolute tear.

Starting pitcher Ivan Pineyro had a tough-luck outing on Friday versus Peninsula. Pineyro ended up taking an L, but he deserved better. He went 7 innings while scattering 6 hits, struck out 10 batters and walked none. Cubs fans, he was acquired for thee Scott Hairston; I think this one is going to work out for Theo and Jed.

Carl, don’t call me C.J, Edwards is starting to find his reliever role more comfortable. In the last week, Edwards made 2 appearances totaling 3 innings, striking out 7. On the season he has a 20/10 K/BB and has an opposing BA of .185. The string bean slinger could be a reinforcement for the big league clubs down the stretch.

Hitter of the week: Willson Contreras – 7-17, 3 2B, 2 BB

Pitcher of the week: Frank Batista – 1 GS, 6 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (1W)

 

High-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (6-3 record on the week)

The Pelicans played 9 games last week! More baseball is always fun, right?

Billy McKinney had a great month last week. He went 13-30 with 7 XBH and 12 RBI. He also walked 8 times and scored 9 runs. The lack of power I talked about in last week’s recap is a thing of the past. On Monday afternoon, McKinney was named Carolina League player of the week.

Mark Zagunis continues to be an on-base machine and got on base 19 times last week. 19! Being a college bat, his approach is advanced and a promotion could be coming soon. Value-wise, it’s unfortunate he has been relegated strictly to the outfield while catching has been put on the back burner.

On the mound, Duane Underwood, Jr. continues to prove to everyone that he was worth a 2nd round pick in 2012. The 20-year-old had another strong outing Thursday going 7 innings and allowing only 1 run. Underwood also struck out 4 while walking only 1. On the season, he is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 5 game started. Also, opponents are hitting a miniscule .170 against him.

Hitter of the week: Billy McKinney – 13-30, 1 HR, 2 3B, 4 2B, 12 RBI, 8 BB, 9 R

Pitcher of the week: Jonathan Martinez – 2 GS, 11 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (1W)

 

Low-A: South Bend Cubs (2-4 record on the week)

The Cubs didn’t have the victories to show for it, but their starting pitching was outstanding last week. As outlined very nicely in Todd’s post, the Cubs’ starting pitching boasted an ERA of 2.04 on the week.

Stop me if you have heard this before, but Jeremy Null was dominant again. Mr. Null improved his record to 3-0 on the season, going 8 strong innings on Tuesday. He allowed no runs and struck out 3. The 8 innings was a high for any South Bend pitcher this season. One negative: he finally walked his 1st batter. He now has a 26/1 K/BB ratio on the season.

Any time Null is referenced, Ryan Williams is not far behind. Williams threw 6 innings of 2 run ball on Saturday. Lack of run support hindered the team from winning the game, but Williams did his part allowing just 2 runs.

Not a lot of big offensive performances last week for South Bend, but I feel obligated to provide an update on Gleyber Torres, who went 3-18 with 3 walks on the week. He’s human! The 18-year-old isn’t going to have a lot of weeks like this, so don’t get used to them.

Hitter of the week: Charcer Burks – 8-22, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 3 SB, 2 R

Pitcher of the week: Jeremy Null –  1 GS, 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (1W)