Alexander Canario is blessed with some loud tools - (Photo by Todd Johnson)

Chicago Cubs Weekly Farm Report (5/3/22): Pelicans Throw No-No, Canario Goes Off, First Wave of Promotions

Photo of Greg Huss Greg HussMay 3, 2022

There has been a very distinct inverse relationship between the performance of the Cubs Major League team and the excitement down on the farm. The Cubs have proven their on-field product is exactly what we worried it might be, but the prospects have been living up to the at times unreasonable hype placed on them to begin the year.

We saw players that traditionally find themselves outside of top prospect lists, like Nelson Maldonado, Darius Hill, Fabian Pertuz, etc., carrying the system in the early going. Lately, however, it’s been the blue-chip guys like Kevin Alcántara, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nelson Velazquez, Alexander Canario, and Caleb Kilian that have been raking.

Affiliate Records

  • Triple-A Iowa: 2-4 this week, 11-12 overall
  • Double-A Tennessee: 2-4 this week, 10-10 overall
  • High-A South Bend: 2-4 this week, 9-12 overall
  • Low-A Myrtle Beach: 5-1 this week, 15-6 overall

Trends and Notes

  • The Myrtle Beach Pelicans threw a combined no-hitter on Sunday night. It was their second no-no against the Columbia Fireflies in as many years. The performance was led by a trio of interesting arms. All three are guys that are older than you would like to see from guys in Low-A, but interesting nonetheless.
      1. Walker Powell led the no-hit bid in his first career start. He’s a huge human and it’s worth noting the development team has faith in moving him to the rotation.
      2. Adam Laskey had some helium entering last season but then had a brutal year. A full conversion to the pen might let his fastball-curveball combo eat.
      3. Jake Reindl looked filthy on Sunday night. His sweeping slider got at least four different swords in his two innings of work. That pitch could get him a quick promotion.
  • We justifiably talk a lot about the bats on the Pelicans team, but the performances on the mound this week in Myrtle Beach have forced us to take a long look at the starting rotation there. A group of Luis Devers, Luke Little, Richard Gallardo, Porter Hodge, Tyler Schlaffer, and Powell is pretty damn good for a Low-A staff. None of them are necessarily top prospects right now but I’d listen to an argument that three or four of them deserve a spot on my Top 20 Arms for next year.
  • We’ve seen the first wave of promotions come and go now, with Nelson Maldonado, Riley Martin, Brandon Hughes, and Dalton Stambaugh bumping up a level. It’s only a matter of time before the next wave comes through. I’m looking at you, Nelson Velazquez, Darius Hill, Christopher Morel, Bryan Hudson, and DJ Herz.

Be sure to subscribe to the Growing Cubs Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, and iHeartRadio.You can also follow the guys on Instagram. And please be kind and leave us a 5-star review!

Standout Players

  • Pete Crow-Armstrong (A-): 25 AB, 12 hits, 7 runs, 1.159 OPS
  • Kevin Alcantara (A-): 20 AB, double, triple, home run, 6 RBI
  • Juan Mora (A-): 23 AB, 7 hits, double, triple, home run, 7 RBI
  • James Triantos (A-): 24 AB, 8 hits, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts
  • Jake Washer (A+): 13 AB, 2 home runs, 2 doubles
  • Alexander Canario (A+): 26 AB, 13 hits, 4 home runs, double, 9 RBI, 2 SB
  • Matt Mervis (A+): 20 AB, 8 hits, 2 doubles, home run
  • Ed Howard (A+): 19 AB, 7 hits, double, triple, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts
  • Christopher Morel (AA): 20 AB, 9 hits, double, home run, 1.172 OPS
  • Nelson Velazquez (AA): 18 AB, 3 home runs, 1.113 OPS
  • Bryce Ball (AA): 25 AB, 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 7 RBI
  • Walker Powell (A-): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
  • Luis Devers (A-): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
  • Porter Hodge (A-): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
  • Luke Little (A-): 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
  • Jake Reindl (A-): 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
  • Chris Clarke (A+): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
  • Max Bain (A+): 3.0 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
  • Conner Menez (AAA): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 12 K
  • Brandon Hughes (AAA): 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Season Leaders

Pitchers (min. 12 IP)

ERA
Erich Uelmen – 0.00
Robert Gsellman – 1.17
DJ Herz – 1.29

WHIP
Manny Espinoza – 0.70
Riley Thompson – 0.75
Walker Powell – 0.78

Strikeout Rate
Riley Martin – 50.7%
Riley Thompson – 46.5%
DJ Herz – 39.2%

Opp. OPS
Robert Gsellman – .382
Porter Hodge – .427
Manny Espinoza – .433

Hitters (min. 50 PA)

OPS
Nelson Maldonado – 1.119
Pete Crow-Armstrong – 1.083
Nelson Velazquez – 1.034

Home Runs
Nelson Velazquez – 8
Jared Young – 5
Three tied with 4

Strikeout Rate
Ildemaro Vargas – 9.6%
Darius Hill – 10.8%
Dixon Machado – 11.3%

Walk Rate
Robel Garcia – 16.9%
Liam Spence – 16.9%
PJ Higgins – 15.3%

The Highlights

Photo of Greg Huss Greg HussMay 3, 2022
Back to top button