Article: Cubs Minor League Week in Review (3/29-3/31): Mighty Caissie Delivers, but Two Tough Losses

[Seth Stohs]

On Thursday, the 2024 MLB season got started for the Chicago Cubs. On Friday, the Triple-A season started for most organizations including the Iowa Cubs playing three games in Omaha. How did they do? Who led the way? And, who will be on the Opening Day rosters of the Tennessee Smokies, the South Bend Cubs, and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans when their seasons begin this coming Friday? You'll find it all below. 

Image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s get to the report. These reports are meant for entertainment, but they are also meant to make sure that minor leaguers who are performing well get recognized. The big thing to remember is that there is just a three-game sample size below, so take the good and the bad numbers for what they are

As always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions. 

TRANSACTIONS

• The Cubs signed 35-year-old veteran catcher Curt Casali to a minor-league contract. He had spent spring training with the Marlins but was granted his release when he did not make their Opening Day roster. Casali was assigned to Iowa. 

• The Iowa Cubs placed outfielders David Peralta and Brennen Davis on the 10-day IL. 

• When lefty Justin Steele went on the Cubs injury list, right-hander Ben Brown was recalled from Iowa to take his spot. 

• Right-hander Chris Kachmar was promoted to the Iowa club. 

• Three players from the ACL Cubs roster were released: outfielders Ke’Shun Collier and Cristian More, and left-handed pitcher Joel Machado. Second baseman Juan Mora was released from the Myrtle Beach roster while shortstop Liam Spence and right-hander Max Bain were released from the South Bend roster. 

IOWA CUBS COURIER  
Friday: Iowa 4, Omaha 5 (11 innings) 
Box Score
In their first game of the season, the Cubs put up 11 hits, but they left 10 runners on base. The top of the lineup provided the punch. Owen Caissie led the way with three hits including a double. Alexander Canario went 2-for-4 with a walk and hit a solo home run. Pete Crow-Armstrong led off and went 2-for-5 with a triple. Matt Mervis batted fourth and went 2-for-5 with a double.  

Thomas Pannone made the start on the mound and was spectacular. The 29-year-old southpaw gave up just two hits over five scoreless innings. He had four strikeouts and a walk. Keegan Thompson came in and gave up three runs on two hits and two walks in the sixth inning. Riley Thompson pitched a scoreless seventh inning. In the eighth from, Richard Lovelady gave up one run on four hits. He had three strikeouts. Edwin Escobar tossed scoreless innings in the ninth and tenth innings. Riley Martin came in to start the 11th inning. He recorded two outs, but the Manfred Man scored on a passed ball to end the game.

Saturday: Iowa 6, Omaha 7 (10 innings)
Box Score
For the second straight game, the Cubs lost to the StormChasers in extra innings on a pitch that got by the catcher to end the game. Like Game 1, the Cubs got a solid start. The 6-7 Chris Clarke gave up two hits and two walks, but no runs, over the first three innings. The next two relievers struggled. Sam McWilliams got five outs and was charged with three runs on four hits. Daniel Palencia came into the game with a runner on base but he did not score. However, Palencia recorded just one out in the sixth inning. He gave up three runs on three hits and two walks. Cam Sanders came on with the bases loaded and allowed one inherited runner to score. However, he had two strikeouts and went 1 2/3 innings. Brad Wieck worked two perfect innings. 

The Cubs were down 6-2 heading into the ninth inning. Chase Strumpf cut the deficit in half with a two-run blast (424 feet, 107 mph). Soon after, Owen Caissie notched his third hit of the game, a double that drove in Curt Casali (who hit a solo homer in the fifth inning) and the Cubs were down just one run. Matt Mervis followed with a sacrifice fly deep enough to score Canario with the game-tying run. 

The big comeback only to lose on a wild pitch in the 10th inning. 

Sunday: Iowa 2, Omaha 0
Box Score
After two extra-inning losses, the Iowa pitchers provided the club with the best way to guarantee a win… they didn’t give up any runs.  

Of course, you still have to score one run in order to win a game. The first batter of the game, PCA, worked a walk. Jake Slaughter followed with a 107.4 mph shot that cleared the fence and landed 370 feet from home plate. There were more hits, and a couple more walks, but no more runs the rest of the game. Matt Mervis had two hits including a double in the game.  

As you would expect this early in the season, it took half of the bullpen to secure the shutout and the team’s first win. Hayden Wesneski started and gave up two hits over three shutout innings. He had two strikeouts without a walk. Riley Thompson came on and struck out two batters over two innings of one-hit ball. Edwin Escobar and Richard Lovelady combined for three scoreless innings. Lefty Riley Martin struck out two batters in the ninth inning to record the Save.  

Weekend Highlights
Owen Caissie went 7-for-12 in the three games. He hit .583/.643/.750 (1.393) with two walks and two doubles. Alexander Canario played in two games and posted a 1.214 OPS thanks to a home run and three walks. I’m sure Curt Casali was happy to homer and contribute to his new team and organization right away. Jake Slaughter and Chase Strumpf each had two hits in nine plate appearances, but each had a huge two-run home in the series. 

The three starting pitchers combined to throw 11 scoreless innings. Pannone led the way with five scoreless innings. 

SMOKIES SENTINEL
The Smokies Begin their season on Friday, hosting Rocket City for three games. 

Here is a look at their Opening Day roster. 

Starting Pitchers: Michael Arias, Brandon Birdsell, Cade Horton, Matt Thompson,
Relief Pitchers: Manuel Espinoza, Kohl Franklin, Richard Gallardo, Porter Hodge, Zac Leigh, Eduarniel Nunez, Jack Patterson, Jake Reindl, Frankie Scalzo, Dalton Stambaugh, Cayne Ueckert, Blake Whitney, 

Catchers: Pablo Aliendo, Caleb Knight, Casey Opitz 

Infielders: Moises Ballesteros, Haydn McGeary, Scott McKeon, Fabian Pertuz, Matt Shaw, James Triantos 

Outfielders: Kevin Alcantara, Bradlee Beesley, Christian Franklin, Jordan Nwogu, Ezequiel Pagan,  

SOUTH BEND BEACON
The Cubs begin their season on Friday in Quad Cities. 

Here is a look at their Opening Day roster. 

Pitchers: Yovanny Cabrera, Luis Devers, Angel Gonzalez, Nick Hull, Grant Kipp, Brody McCullough, Joe Nahas Connor Noland, Johzan Oquendo, Tyler Santana, Tyler Schlaffer, Sam Thoresen, Chase Watkins. 

Catchers: Dilan Granadillo, Ethan Hearn. 

Infielders: Ed Howard, Josh Rivera, Luis Verdugo. 

Outfielders: Parker Chavers, Yohendrick Pinango, Felix Stevens, Jacob Wetzel. 

PELICAN PRESS 
The Pelicans begin their season on Friday night at home against Fayetteville. 

Here is a look at their Opening Day roster. 

Pitchers: Sam Armstrong, Garrett Brown, Drew Gray, Angel Hernandez, Scarlyn Lebron, Luis Martinez-Gomez, Grayson Moore, Koen Moreno, Nazier Mule, Eligio Paredes, Kenyi Perez, Starlyn Pichardo, Erian Rodriguez, Jose Romero, Luis Rujano, Marino Santy, J.P. Wheat.

Catchers: David Avitia, Michael Carico, Shane Marshall. 

Infielders: Reivaj Garcia, Cristian Hernandez, Brian Kalmer, Jonathan Long, Miguel Pabon, Pedro Ramirez, Jefferson Rojas. 

Outfielders: Brett Bateman, Andy Garriola, Ismael Mena, Rafael Morel, Christian Olivo. 

CUBS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Pitcher of the Day – Owen Caissie (Iowa Cubs).
Hitter of the Day – Thomas Pannone (Iowa Cubs). 

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on the Cubs Top 20 prospects after seeing how they did on Sunday. 

#1 - RHP Cade Horton (Tennessee Smokies): 
#2 - OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (Iowa Cubs): 3 G, 3-for-13, .231/.286/.385 (.671) with a triple. He had one walk and four strikeouts. He had two steals in two attempts.
#3 - SS Matt Shaw (Tennessee Smokies): 
#4 - OF Owen Caissie (Iowa Cubs): 3 G, 7-for-12, .583/.643/.750 (1.393) with two doubles. He walked twice and struck out three.
#5 - 1B Michael Busch (Chicago Cubs): 4 G, 2-for-13, .154/.313/.154 (.467) with three walks and four strikeouts. 
#6 - OF Kevin Alcantara (Tennessee Smokies):
#7 - LHP Jordan Wicks (Chicago Cubs): 1 G, 1 GS, 4.0 IP, 5 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K. 
#8 - RHP Ben Brown (Chicago Cubs): 1 G, 1 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 1 K. 
#9 - 1B Moises Ballesteros (Tennessee Smokies):
#10 - IF James Triantos (Tennessee Smokies):
#11 - SS Jefferson Rojas (Myrtle Beach Pelicans):
#12 - OF Alexander Canario (Iowa Cubs): 2 G, 2-for-7, .286/.500/.714 (1.214) with a homer. He had three walks and two strikeouts.
#13 - 1B Matt Mervis (Iowa Cubs): 3 G, 4-for-11, .364/.429/.545 (.974) with two doubles. He walked twice and struck out once.
#14 - RHP Jaxon Wiggins (ACL):
#15 - IF BJ Murray Jr (Iowa Cubs): 2 G, 1-for-10, .100/.100/.100 (.200) with five strikeouts. 
#16 - LHP Luke Little (Chicago Cubs): 1 G, 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. 
#17 - IF Luis Vazquez (Iowa Cubs): 3 G, 3-for-13, .231/.231/.308 (.539) with a double. He had three strikeouts.
#18 - 3B Josh Rivera (South Bend Cubs):
#19 - SS Derniche Valdez (ACL)
#20 - C/1B Hayden McGeary (Tennessee Smokies) 

SCHEDULE AND PITCHING PROBABLES (Next Game)
Toledo @ Iowa (Tuesday 7:08 PM CST) - TBD. 
Rocket City @ Tennessee (Friday 6:00 PM CST) - TBD.  
South Bend @ Quad Cities (Friday 6:30 PM CST) - TBD.   
Fayetteville @ Myrtle Beach (6:05 PM CST) - TBD.  

Please feel free to discuss the Iowa Cubs first weekend series, discuss the rosters throughout the organization, and ask questions.  

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