Cole Roederer takes an at-bat at the Cubs complex in Mesa, Arizona (Photo by Rich Biesterfield @biest22)
Cole Roederer takes an at-bat at the Cubs complex in Mesa, Arizona (Photo by Rich Biesterfield @biest22)

Chicago Cubs Weekly Farm Report (5/11/22): The Pelicans are Hot, South Bend Might Be Hotter

Photo of Greg Huss Greg HussMay 11, 2022

The Chicago Cubs were 7-17 in their last 24 games. The Cubs’ minor league affiliates went 17-7 over 24 games this past week. That pretty much tells you all you need to know about this organization right now.

Typically this article is about taking a look back at the week that was, and the bulk of it will be again this week, but I’d also like to emphasize the upcoming slate of games.

All four Cubs affiliates play at home this week and it’s the only time all season that will be the case. I implore you to take advantage of this opportunity if you are someone that subscribes to MiLB.TV. Myrtle Beach, South Bend, Tennessee, and Iowa have four of the best broadcasts in all of minor league baseball. Channel hop, pick one game a night, pull up multiple games at one time, or flip a game on the radio while you have the other on your computer. Whatever the case, enjoy some great baseball in the week ahead.

Affiliate Records

  • Triple-A Iowa: 3-3 last week, 14-15 overall
  • Double-A Tennessee: 4-2 last week, 14-12 overall
  • High-A South Bend: 6-0 last week, 15-12 overall
  • Low-A Myrtle Beach: 4-2 last week, 19-8 overall

Trends and Notes

  • If the Birds are hot (they are), then the South Bend Cubs are scalding. Sweeps are extremely rare in today’s six-game series version of minor league baseball, but the High-A affiliate pulled it off this week against the Cardinals affiliate, Peoria.
  • Cole Roederer made his return to a full-season team after a successful battle back from Tommy John. He’s obviously way too good for Low-A ball, but the Cubs are treating it more like a rehab assignment than anything. Now that the weather is nicer in South Bend, I’d expect him to travel north any day.
  • I think this version of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans is the most exciting minor league team I’ve watched during my time covering prospects. Every single game, something incredible happens. No-hitters, 24-run outbursts, steals of home, and crazy celebrations, this young Birds team has it all.
  • Speaking of that 24-run game, the Pelicans beat up on the Salem Red Sox 24-6 on Wednesday night, led by Peter Matt at the plate. Last year’s 10th-round draft pick had never homered as a professional before this two-homer, seven-RBI game. Myrtle got multi-hit performances from six other guys: Pete Crow-Armstrong (3 hits, HR, walk), Cole Roederer (4 hits, 2 doubles), Ethan Hearn (2 hits, 2 walks), Yeison Santana (2 hits, double, 3 walks), BJ Murray (3 hits, 2 doubles, walk, 5 RBI), and Reggie Preciado (4 hits, 2 doubles, 6 RBI).
  • Nelson Velazquez joined Nelson Maldonado in Triple-A this week. Nelly M. has continued to rake and Nelly V. is expected to start every day in a pretty crowded outfield.

Standout Players

  • BJ Murray (Low-A): 14 AB, 7 hits, 3 doubles, 6 RBI
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong (Low-A): 22 AB, 10 hits, HR, 1.111 OPS
  • Cole Roederer (Low-A): 15 AB, 7 hits, 2 doubles, 4 walks
  • Reggie Preciado (Low-A): 16 AB, 4 doubles, 7 RBI
  • Kevin Alcántara (Low-A); 22 AB, HR, 2 doubles, 5 RBI
  • Matt Mervis (High-A): 20 AB, 2 HR, 6 RBI
  • Alexander Canario (High-A): 12 AB, 2 HR, 1.150 OPS
  • Christopher More (Double-A): 26 AB, 9 hits, 2 HR, triple, 5 RBI, 7 runs
  • Bryce Ball (Double-A): 25 AB, 11 hits, HR, 3 doubles, 7 RBI
  • Yonathan Perlaza (Double-A): 10 AB, HR, 2 doubles
  • Jared Young (Triple-A): 26 AB, 13 hits, 3 HR, 3 doubles, 6 runs
  • Ildemaro Vargas (Triple-A): 27 AB, 11 hits, 2 doubles, 5 runs
  • Nelson Maldonado (Triple-A): 27 AB, 10 hits, 3 doubles
  • Richard Gallardo (Low-A): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
  • Joe Nahas (High-A): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
  • Max Bain (High-A): 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
  • Manny Espinoza (High-A): 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
  • Riley Martin (High-A): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
  • Cam Sanders (Double-A): 9.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 15 K
  • Blake Whitney (Double-A): 4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
  • Ben Leeper (Triple-A): 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

Season Leaders

Pitchers (min. 15 IP)

ERA

  1. DJ Herz – 0.93
  2. Caleb Kilian – 1.46
  3. Manny Espinoza – 1.83

WHIP

  1. Blake Whitney – 0.72
  2. Manny Espinoza – 0.76
  3. Walker Powell – 0.79

Strikeout Rate

  1. Riley Martin – 48.8%
  2. Eric Stout – 41.3%
  3. Cam Sanders – 36.0%

Opp. OPS

  1. Manny Espinoza – .459
  2. DJ Herz – .479
  3. Walker Powell – .480

Hitters (min. 65 PA)

OPS

  1. Pete Crow-Armstrong – 1.091
  2. Nelson Velazquez – 1.076
  3. Nelson Maldonado – 1.002

Home Runs

  1. Nelson Velazquez – 9
  2. Jared Young – 8
  3. Alexander Canario – 7

Strikeout Rate

  1. Ildemaro Vargas – 10.7%
  2. Darius Hill – 12.0%
  3. Dixon Machado – 12.7%

Walk Rate

  1. Robel Garcia – 19.8%
  2. Liam Spence – 16.9%
  3. Chase Strumpf – 16.7%

The Highlights

Photo of Greg Huss Greg HussMay 11, 2022
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