Cubs Minor League Weekend Recap: Porter Hodge Makes Rehab Appearance, Caissie and Alcantara on Hug Watch

[Billy Reich]

Image courtesy of © Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

Cubs Affiliate Overview (July 26 – July 27)

• Triple-A Iowa Cubs
  Series at Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds): Win 2-1
  Season Record: 51-50

• Double-A Tennessee Smokies
  Series vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Miami Marlins): Loss 0-3
  Season Record: 44-51

• High-A South Bend Cubs
  Series at Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds): Loss 0-3
  Season Record: 37-58

• Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans
  Series vs. Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals): Win 3-0
  Season Record: 47-46

Triple-A Iowa Cubs

Season Record: 51-50
Series Opponent: Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds)
Series Standing: Loss 2-4

July 26: The Iowa Cubs break the Bats to take home an 11-9 win on Saturday. Starter Will Sanders had a bumpy ride, going 5 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, and 2 SO while allowing three home runs on the day. The offense picked the team up and allowed Sanders to get the win and advance to 6-0, but the young righty will certainly be disappointed with the outing. Porter Hodge made hit rehab appearance in Iowa and pitched one inning, striking out two, but allowing a solo home run. Another productive outing or two and I imagine he’ll find his way back to the Major League roster. Nate Pearson picked up his second save with one inning of no run ball. He sits at a 2.14 ERA and has only let up two runs in his past 10 appearances. I’m genuinely surprised he hasn’t been given another shot at the Major League bullpen, but he may still get the opportunity depending on how things go at the trade deadline.

The offense won this game for the Cubs today with Christian Franklin, Moises Ballesteros, Carlos Perez, and Owen Caissie hitting doubles and racking up at least two hits each.

Christian Franklin and James Triantos wouldn’t stop there—they each added a home run of their own.

Owen Caissie continues to rake for Iowa, finishing 2-for-5 with a double and raising his OPS to .940. Fans will be holding their breath to see if Caissie will remain in Cubbie Blue after Thursday's trade deadline.

July 27: The Cubs were slugged by the Bats, dropping the series finale 8-4. Spencer Turnbull took the mound for Iowa and promptly gave up nine hits and six runs and a walk while letting up two home runs in just three innings of work. Turnbull now sits 0-3 with a 12.54 ERA. Connor Noland made an impressive relief appearance—his stock continued to rise as he put up four innings of no run ball to close out the game.

To the relief of absolutely no one, Kevin Alcantara and Owen Caissie stirred up some trade rumors as neither were in the lineup today. The Cubs struggled without them, as Greg Allen was the only player on the team to notch more than one hit. Chase Strumpf, James Triantos, and Christian Franklin all added a double on the day. 

Allen would finish 2-for-4 with a home run, but it wasn’t enough to power a weakened offense to a win.

Double-A Tennessee Smokies

Season Record: 44-51
Series Opponent: Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Miami Marlins)
Series Standing: Loss 2-4

July 26: The Smokies burnt the Blue Wahoos with a 4-2 victory. Ryan Gallagher put up one of his best performances to date, continuing to excel against some of the top prospects in the Southern League. Gallagher went 6 and ⅓ IP, allowing just two hits, one run, and eight strikeouts. He walked three today, but his stuff is playing better than ever and he sits at a 1.59 in Double-A in his first season of pro ball. He continues to show he’s a special arm in the system.

The offense was buoyed by Jefferson Rojas and BJ Murray Jr. Both players went 2-for-4 on the day with Murray Jr. providing the power and putting up three RBIs.

July 27: The Smokies walked off the Blue Wahoos on Sunday thanks to some great base running. A pair of walks, steals, and a wild pitch put the Smokies over the top to take home the win in the series finale.

Antonio Santos took the mound today and continued to shine, going 4 IP, 1 H, 4 BB, and 3 SO to lower his season ERA to 1.91. He’s been a boon for the Smokies as he’s answered the call in both the bullpen and as a starter. Mitchell Tyranski picked up a blown save in the eighth inning, but Will Deppermann shut things down in the ninth, picking up his fourth win of the season.

Jefferson Rojas was the star of the show again today, going 1-for-2 with two walks, three RBIs, and a double. Pedro Ramirez stays hot at the top of the lineup as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI knock.

High-A South Bend Cubs

Season Record: 37-58
Series Opponent: Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds)
Series Standing: Win 3-2

July 26: The Cubs slayed the Dragons with a 4-1 win on Saturday. Kenten Egbert carried the squad with his best start of the season, going six innings, allowing just one run on three hits. Egbert is 4-7 on the season, but he continues to trend in the right direction. Oquendo picks up his second save of the season, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh and locking down the game in the eighth and ninth.

Ariel Armas went 1-for-4 on the day, putting the Cubs up early with a two RBI double in the third inning. Carter Trice added the insurance run with a solo shot in the seventh.

July 27: Today's game was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Season Record: 47-46
Series Opponent: Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals)
Series Standing: Win 5-1

July 26: The Pelicans extinguished the Fireflies with a 3-2 win on Saturday. Despite threatening late to make it a one run game, Lanon Ginn came in to strike out the final batter and pick up his first save of the season in dramatic fashion.

Ethan Flanagan started for the Pelicans today and deserves the credit for keeping the team in the game for as long as he did. Flanagan has been electric since being called up to Myrtle Beach on June 19th, going 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA. Today he put up his best start so far, going 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, and 4 SOs. He lacks oppressive swing and miss stuff, but he’s been thriving on inducing weak contact and relying on the defense behind him.

Jose Escobar had a big game for himself, driving in two of the teams three runs. He went 2-for-4 with two RBIs on the day.

July 27: The Pelicans came back with a vengeance and demolished the Fireflies 5-1 on Sunday. Alfredo Romero took the bump for Myrtle Beach, hurling four innings of no run ball, striking out two and lowering his ERA to 3.29. 

The offense was on fire today with Alexery Lumpuy having a career game. Lumpuy finished off going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, a triple, and a home run, missing just the double to complete the cycle.

Notable Promotions / Injury Notes

• Knoxville Smokies activated OF Jordan Nwogu

• Knoxville Smokies placed OF Felix Stevens on 7-day injured list

• Chicago Cubs sent Porter Hodge on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs

• Iowa Cubs activated RHP Spencer Turnbull

• Iowa Cubs transferred RHP Tommy Romero to the Developmental List

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[Victor Reichman]

If Tucker leaves, which is likely, due in part to Boras, we need Cassie and or Alcantara. I don't want another Jason Heyward contract. 3 years tops.

I can understand it if we got a #2 Starter and had to package one of them with some other prospects, but otherwise we need to keep at least one of them.

[mul21]

57 minutes ago, Victor Reichman said:

If Tucker leaves, which is likely, due in part to Boras, we need Cassie and or Alcantara. I don't want another Jason Heyward contract. 3 years tops.

I can understand it if we got a #2 Starter and had to package one of them with some other prospects, but otherwise we need to keep at least one of them.

You're delusional if you think they'll ever sign a truly great player without paying too much in free agency.  It's just a fact of life and you know what? The douche bag owners can and should afford it if they really want to field a competitive team year in and year out.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Victor Reichman said:

If Tucker leaves, which is likely, due in part to Boras, we need Cassie and or Alcantara. I don't want another Jason Heyward contract. 3 years tops.

I can understand it if we got a #2 Starter and had to package one of them with some other prospects, but otherwise we need to keep at least one of them.

Boras doesn’t represent Tucker. Also there is no way a top FA signs a 3 year deal. Honestly, if you are going to complain at least have some sense of reality in your rants.