Cubs MiLB Midweek Report: Caissie, Ballesteros, Armas Power Cubs Prospects

[Travis Klosinski]

Image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Series-at-a-Glance (June 9–10)

• Iowa @ Omaha: Split 1–1 (won 7–3, lost 8–5)

• Knoxville vs Columbus: Split 1–1 (won 5–0, lost 7–6)

• South Bend vs Great Lakes & @ Fort Wayne: Swept 2–0 (won 11–2, won 11–9)

• Myrtle Beach: Off day on June 9, then lost 0–1 (9–4)

Iowa Cubs (Triple‑A)

June 9 at Omaha – Won 7–3
Iowa completed a series win with a dominant offensive showing. Owen Caissie launched a two-run homer, his eighth of the year, followed by Carlos Pérez’s 11th. Moisés Ballesteros chipped in with a sac fly. Starter Michael Fulmer gave up two runs in 2⅔ innings, then Brooks Kriske, Nate Pearson, and Jack Neely combined for five shutout innings.

June 10 at Omaha – Lost 8–5
The offense stayed hot early—Ballesteros hit his seventh homer, Caissie connected for his ninth, Kevin Alcántara doubled in a run, and Pérez went 2-for-4 with two doubles. But starter Connor Noland allowed five runs (four earned) over 5⅔ innings and the bullpen was tagged for a five-run sixth, turning the early edge into a loss .

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Knoxville Smokies (Double‑A)

June 9 vs Columbus – Won 5–0
Knoxville shut out Columbus behind strong offense and pitching. BJ Murray Jr. delivered a sac fly in the third, Parker Chavers added a two-run double in the sixth, and Pedro Ramirez sparked the attack with a triple and a walk. Starter Michael Arias allowed two hits in four innings, and Zac Leigh, Joe Nahas, and Frankie Scalzo Jr. combined for five hitless innings .

June 10 at Columbus – Lost 7–6
Grant Kipp was knocked around in a long second inning and charged with five runs in just 1⅔ innings. Ramirez fought back with a 3-for-4 effort and a solo homer (his third), while Chavers contributed a bases-clearing double and Corey Joyce added an RBI single. Knoxville got within a run late but couldn’t complete the rally .

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South Bend Cubs (High‑A)

June 9 vs Great Lakes – Won 11–2
South Bend exploded for 11 runs on 13 hits, building a 9–0 lead in the first five innings. Edgar Alvarez, Carter Trice, and Ariel Armas each recorded multi-hit games, contributing in a collective onslaught. Starter Brooks Auger allowed five runs (two earned) over five innings and struck out six.

June 10 at Fort Wayne – Won 11–9
Facing a 9–7 deficit in the ninth, Carter Trice tied it with a two-run homer—his seventh. Felix Stevens delivered a solo shot in his return from injury. Alvarez went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, and Armas added two doubles, four RBIs, and a steal. Chase Watkins (2⅓ innings) and Johzan Oquendo (1⅓) combined for shutout work to close it out .

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Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single‑A)

June 9 – Off Day
No game scheduled for the Pelicans.

June 10 vs Hickory – Lost 9–4
Starter Yenrri Rojas yielded five runs (three earned) over five innings, including multiple first-inning setbacks, and reliever Ethan Bell allowed three more. Offensively, Leonel Espinoza went 3-for-5 with an RBI double. Cameron Sisneros reached base four times and drove in two. Eli Lovich made a promising debut with two singles and a run scored.

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