Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 7-3-25

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Scheduled Games (Central Time):

Iowa vs. Omaha, 7:08 pm
Knoxville at Rocket City, 6:05 pm
South Bend at Peoria, 5:45 pm
Myrtle Beach at Charleston, 5:35 pm
ACL Cubs vs. ACL Rockies, 8:00 pm
DSL Cubs Blue at DSL Red Sox Blue, 10:00 am
DSL Cubs Red vs. DSL Giants Orange, 10:00 am

Probable Starting Pitchers:

Iowa: RHP Connor Noland (77.1 IP, 4.42 ERA, 4.55 FIP, 62 K, 30 BB)
Knoxville: TBD - maybe Tyler Schlaffer? (at South Bend: 59.1 IP, 4.10 ERA, 4.52 FIP, 60 K, 28 BB)
South Bend: RHP Brandon Birdsell (rehab)
Myrtle Beach: RHP Yenrri Rojas (38 IP, 2.61 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 26 K, 15 BB)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

DSL Cubs Blue:

Juan Tomás: 1/5, 2B (5), 2 K, CS
Ariel Ramos: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

DSL Cubs Red:

Juan Cabada: 1/4, 2 K
Wilfri de la Cruz: 1/4, K, CS - Cabada and de la Cruz had the only 2 hits for the DSL Cubs Red
Anthony Féliz - 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K

[Donzo]

The continued apsences of Wiggins/Brown is compelling.

Both have limits on their innings this season, so maybe they're just getting a pause before finishing out the season.

Update: It's Kipp starting for the Smokies.

Edited July 3, 2025 by Donzo

[Bertz]

4 hours ago, Donzo said:

The continued apsences of Wiggins/Brown is compelling.

Both have limits on their innings this season, so maybe they're just getting a pause before finishing out the season.

Update: It's Kipp starting for the Smokies.

Brown is/was on pace to shatter his career high in innings, so not surprised they're taking the opportunity to pump the brakes hard on him right now.  I'd guess he makes his next start next week and then only starts one game a week (instead of being on a 5 day rotation) until he's back in MLB

Wiggins I'd be a bit nervous about if they hadn't just named him to the Futures Game.  That announcement timing means he's almost surely fine I'd think.

[Jason Ross]

4 hours ago, Donzo said:

The continued apsences of Wiggins/Brown is compelling.

Both have limits on their innings this season, so maybe they're just getting a pause before finishing out the season.

Update: It's Kipp starting for the Smokies.

I predicted the Brown thing the moment he was demoted. This is how you give him a timeout from innings. 

Wiggins as well. He looked gassed last outing and walked four. He has pitched a lot more than he had in years so far.

This is a timeout for load management almost assuredly, at least one Brown. I highly suspect the same for Wiggins with no announcements and his involvement in futures game. Nothing more.

[Bertz]

Cristian Hernandez with a walk, a double, and his 30th (!!!) steal of the year.  He's definitely a tier behind our tippy top guys but he's really good.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[Jason Ross]

12 minutes ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

2 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

I predicted the Brown thing the moment he was demoted. This is how you give him a timeout from innings. 

Wiggins as well. He looked gassed last outing and walked four. He has pitched a lot more than he had in years so far.

 

This is a timeout for load management almost assuredly, at least one Brown. I highly suspect the same for Wiggins with no announcements and his involvement in futures game. Nothing more.

I’ve heard it’s workload management.

[Jason Ross]

2 minutes ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

I’ve heard it’s workload management.

I love hearing that. You are the king, CR. Thanks for confirming. 

I assumed that's what it was (he really looked tired his last go, I think that's what lead to the walks). A good break in the heat of summer is good for everyone.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[Bertz]

Good lord what a night for Iowa.  I assume Jed is firing off "U up?" texts to JJ Piccolo and Pete Bendix as we speak

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Derniche Valdez is making his 2025 debut, starting in...centerfield for the ACL Cubs.

[CubinNY]

10 hours ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

Derniche Valdez is making his 2025 debut, starting in...centerfield for the ACL Cubs.

lol

[Jason Ross]

Jordan Wicks is at Wrigley.

I wonder if he's here to take Cade Horton's spot. Not permanently, but to give him a timeout. He can basically take the 4th - post-ASB off (July 22nd?) to reset and save some innings. You slot Wicks in this weekend for Rea, too.

[Bertz]

4 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Jordan Wicks is at Wrigley.

Yes!

Although I'm curious about the roster move.  Horton is the most obvious, but at the same time sending him down after last night's performance feels a little mean.

[Jason Ross]

Just now, Bertz said:

Yes!

Although I'm curious about the roster move.  Horton is the most obvious, but at the same time sending him down after last night's performance feels a little mean.

I actually just edited my post! I think it's Horton. But my guess is that he looked so good last night you can really do two things:

1. Let him go into a few week timeout feeling really good and happy (as opposed to getting lit up and down)
2. It could be that with how good he's looking the team is trying to find a way to make sure his innings are there for October. He looked like a dude last night and if you get that guy consistently, he's making any staff better.