Cubs MiLB Midweek Report: Hernandez, Caissie, and Aliendo Lead the Farm Surge

[Travis Klosinski]

It was a breakout stretch across the Cubs’ farm system: Cristian Hernandez launched a moonshot, Owen Caissie kept slugging, and Pablo Aliendo nearly willed Knoxville to a walk-off. While South Bend ended its losing streak in emphatic fashion, Myrtle Beach staged a wild comeback, while Cade Horton continued to show why he’s the system’s premier arm. From clutch bombs to lights-out bullpen work, the next wave of Cubs talent is making noise.

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Farm System at a Glance:

Iowa Cubs (AAA): 0–3 vs. Louisville 

Knoxville Smokies (AA): 1–1 vs. Pensacola 

South Bend Cubs (High-A): 3–0 vs. Beloit 

Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Low-A): 0–1 vs. Kannapolis

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Triple-A: Iowa Cubs (6–6)

Opponent: Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds affiliate)
Series Record: 0–2

April 22: Loss, 8–4

The I-Cubs jumped ahead early behind solo home runs from Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcántara, with Reese McGuire’s sac fly tacking on another. Javier Assad turned in a steady start, allowing two earned runs over four innings with four strikeouts. Despite drawing 10 walks, Iowa’s offense couldn’t capitalize late, going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and leaving 11 runners on base. A rough eighth inning saw the game slip away as Louisville capitalized on free passes and miscues.

April 23: Loss, 1–0 (11 innings)

A day later, pitching ruled as Iowa dropped a heartbreaker in extras. Cade Horton dazzled in his second Triple-A start (4 IP, 0 R) earning him player of the game. The bullpen held Louisville scoreless through 10, but the bats couldn’t break through despite chances in the 10th and 11th. Will Benson’s RBI single in the bottom of the 11th walked it off for Louisville.

Top Performers:

• Cade Horton (SP, Apr 23): 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K

• Owen Caissie (RF, Apr 22): HR (4), RBI, BB

• Kevin Alcántara (CF, Apr 22):  HR (2), RBI

• Moisés Ballesteros (C, Apr 23): 2-for-5 – One of the few consistent bats over both games

Next game: Thursday, April 24, 2025 @ Louisville Bats

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Double-A: Knoxville Smokies (9–7)

Opponent: Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Miami Marlins affiliate)
Series Record: 1–1

April 22: Win, 2–1

Knoxville’s bullpen delivered five shutout innings, and Jaylen Palmer’s eighth-inning RBI groundout pushed the Smokies to a hard-fought win in Pensacola. Hayden Cantrelle reached base three times and swiped two bags, while Parker Chavers notched two hits and played a role in both scoring innings.

The Smokies relied on four relievers to preserve the one-run margin, with Zac Leigh and Wil Jensen slamming the door in the final two frames.

Top Performers:

• Hayden Cantrelle (SS): 1-for-2, 2 BB, RBI, 2 SB

• Parker Chavers (LF): 2-for-3, BB

• Zac Leigh (RP): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K, 0.00 ERA

April 23: Loss, 4–3 (10 innings)

Pablo Aliendo’s three-run homer tied the game in the ninth, but Knoxville fell 4–3 in extras. The Smokies struck out 17 times and were held scoreless through eight before the late rally. Will Sanders tossed five scoreless innings in his Double-A debut, but a wild pitch and error in the eighth gave Pensacola the edge.

Top Performers:

• Pablo Aliendo (C): 1-for-5, HR (4), 3 RBI – Tied the game with one swing in the ninth

• Will Sanders (SP): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 K – Strong debut for the Cubs' 2023 draft pick

• Jordan Nwogu (RF): 2-for-3, BB, SB – Reached base three times

• Jaylen Palmer (CF): 1-for-4, SB (5), R – Sparkplug at the top, added pressure on the bases

Next Game: April 24 vs. Pensacola – Series continues

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High-A: South Bend Cubs (6–11)

Opponent: Beloit Sky Carp (Miami Marlins affiliate)
Series Record: 3–0

April 22: Win, 8–5

South Bend returned to Four Winds Field and promptly snapped its eight-game losing streak, using a six-run fifth inning to take control in an 8–5 victory over Beloit. Carter Trice’s first home run at home—a three-run shot—was the exclamation point on the rally.

Tyler Schlaffer struck out seven and allowed three hits over 4 and 2/3 innings, with a third-inning homer his only blemish. He faced the minimum in three of four full frames.

Ivan Brethowr’s two-run single in the third extended his hit streak to five and on-base streak to 13 games. Cristian Hernandez gave South Bend the lead with a two-run double in the fifth, setting the stage for Trice’s towering blast. Chase Watkins, Kenyi Perez, and Vince Reilly closed it out from the bullpen, combining for 4 and 1/3 innings of two-run ball with six strikeouts.

Full game highlights here.

Top Performers:

• Cristian Hernandez (SS): 2-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 R

• Carter Trice (1B): 1-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, BB – Extended hit streak to 7 games

• Ivan Brethowr (RF): 1-for-2, 2 BB, 2 RBI

• Tyler Schlaffer (SP): 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K – Career-high 20 Ks in three starts

April 23: Win, 8–5

South Bend stayed hot at home, plating six runs in the first inning and holding off Beloit late to win their second straight. Ariel Armas crushed a three-run homer to cap a furious opening frame that included back-to-back doubles from Carter Trice and Reivaj Garcia. Cristian Hernandez added a 423 ft. solo shot in the second, and Ivan Brethowr homered in the fourth to extend the lead to 8–3.

Luis Rujano started and worked into the fourth before the bullpen held firm behind Sam Thoresen, Marino Santy, and Johzan Oquendo. Carter Trice stayed hot with two more doubles and a walk, while Ariel Armas reached twice and drove in three to pace the offense.

Top Performers:

• Ariel Armas (C): 1-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI

• Carter Trice (1B): 2-for-3, 2 2B (4), RBI, BB

• Reivaj Garcia (2B): 2-for-3, 2B (2), HBP, 2 RBI – Doubled and scored in the six-run first

• Cristian Hernandez (SS): 1-for-4, HR (2) – Added a solo blast to his highlight reel

Next Game: April 24 vs. Beloit – Scheduled to continue series

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Low-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (4–3)

Opponent: Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox affiliate)
Series Record: 0–1

April 22: Loss, 8–6 (12 innings)

The Pelicans trailed 6–0 entering the ninth but rallied to tie the game with six runs, highlighted by Cole Mathis’s solo homer and Christian Olivo’s game-tying three-run blast. Hayden Frank allowed six runs over five innings with a career-high six strikeouts, while Charlie Hurley and Brayden Risedorph combined for five scoreless frames to push it to extras. Myrtle Beach stranded the tying run in the 12th after Kannapolis pulled ahead with a double and triple, handing the Birds their second extra-inning loss of the year.

Top Performers:

• Christian Olivo (LF): 1-for-6, HR (1), 3 RBI – Game-tying blast in the ninth

• Cameron Sisneros (DH): 3-for-5, R – Led the team with three hits

• Charlie Hurley (RP): 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 K – Career-high strikeout night

April 23: Postponed – Doubleheader Scheduled

Wednesday’s game was postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a seven-inning doubleheader on Thursday, April 24.

Next Game: Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 5:05 PM EDT at Pelicans Ballpark.

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