Chicago Cubs Minor League Recap: Justin Steele Rehabs In Iowa, Sorrell Drives In Five

Chicago Cubs Transactions

• No Roster Moves

Justin Steele Makes Rehab Start In Iowa Loss

Justin Steele made a rehab start for the Iowa Cubs, and the Cubs lost 6-2 at Columbus. Steele struck out the first batter he faced, gave up a two-out single, and got a flyout to finish a scoreless opening frame. He then retired the first two batters he saw the next time out, the second on a called third strike that came after a successful Iowa challenge.

The Clippers followed with a single, a run-scoring double, a fielding error that let a second run in, and an RBI single, and Steele was lifted with two outs recorded. He finished with 1 2/3 innings, four hits, three runs, one earned, no walks, and two strikeouts, facing 10 batters in all.

Iowa had staked him to the lead an inning earlier. Chas McCormick reached on an error, James Triantos walked, and after a strikeout, Austin Wynns lifted a sacrifice fly that scored McCormick. Ethan Hearn doubled home Triantos and took third on the throw. Both Iowa runs were unearned, and the Cubs did not score again.

Connor Noland gave up five hits, three runs, and a home run across 3 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out two, as Columbus added a run in the third and two more in the fourth. Grant Kipp was the best of the group, throwing two scoreless innings with one hit, one walk, and four strikeouts. Gabe Klobosits finished with a clean inning and two strikeouts.

Owen Ayers went 2-for-4 with a double, and McCormick added two hits, including a double, and a run scored. Hearn finished 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Iowa totaled six hits, three walks, and two runs, and left eight runners on base.

Brody McCullough Strikes Out 10 In Knoxville Loss

Brody McCullough gave the Knoxville Smokies five scoreless innings, but the bullpen could not protect a one-run lead in a 5-1 loss to Chattanooga. McCullough allowed two hits, walked nobody, and struck out 10.

Knoxville scored in the first inning. Kane Kepley led off with a triple to right field, and Alex Ramírez singled him home two batters into the game. A pop-out and a flyout followed, Edgar Alvarez walked, and Ariel Armas grounded into a force out to end the inning. That run was the Smokies' only one of the night.

The seventh inning turned the game. Chattanooga opened with a walk and a hit batter, then hit a three-run homer to right field for a 3-1 lead. Another hit batter followed before a strikeout and a groundout closed the frame. The Lookouts added single unearned runs in the eighth and ninth.

Frankie Scalzo Jr. followed McCullough with an inning of relief, allowing one hit and one walk. Marino Santy gave up three runs on one hit and a walk in an inning, with a strikeout. Tyler Schlaffer worked two innings, allowing two hits and two unearned runs with one walk and three strikeouts.

Kepley finished 2-for-4 with a triple, a run scored, and one strikeout. Armas went 1-for-3 with a double. Ramírez was 1-for-4 and drove in the run. Knoxville managed four hits and three walks, struck out 10 times, and left four runners on base.

Justin Stransky's Three-Run Homer Lifts South Bend

Justin Stransky hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning, and the South Bend Cubs held on to beat Cedar Rapids 4-3.

South Bend broke through in the fifth. Michael Gupton tripled to center field with one out, and Kade Snell singled him home for a 1-0 lead.

The sixth produced three more. Jose Escobar drew a walk with one out, Matt Halbach doubled to left field to move Escobar to third, and after a strikeout, Stransky drove a fly ball to left center for a three-run homer and a 4-0 lead. Gupton walked before a strikeout ended the inning.

Brayden Spears started and kept Cedar Rapids off the board across four innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out five. Braylon Myers followed with 3 2/3 innings, giving up three hits and one run, walking two and striking out five. JP Wheat closed it out with 1 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and two runs on three walks with three strikeouts, working around a rally that pulled the Kernels within a run.

Halbach was the top hitter with a 2-for-3 line that included a double and a walk. Stransky went 1-for-4 with the home run and three RBI. Gupton finished 1-for-3 with a triple and a walk, and Escobar was 1-for-3 with a walk. South Bend collected seven hits and six walks, struck out 12 times, committed two errors, and left eight runners on base.

Caden Sorrell Drives In Five As Myrtle Beach Rolls

Caden Sorrell drove in five runs, and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans beat Columbia 6-2. The third inning decided it. Juan Cabada walked to start the frame, Juan Tomas doubled to left field to push Cabada to third, and Corey Nunez walked to load the bases. Sorrell then drove a line drive over the right field wall to bring in three more runs.

Derik Alcantara added a walk later in the inning.

Myrtle Beach tacked on two more in the sixth. Ivan Cespedes singled to center field, Cabada walked, Nunez was hit by a pitch after a strikeout, and Sorrell lined a single to center that scored Cespedes and Cabada. A double play ended the inning.

Hayden Frank handled the start, allowing five hits and two runs over five innings with four walks, four strikeouts, and one home run allowed. Ashton Pocol followed with three hitless, scoreless innings, walking two and striking out four. Jordan Henriquez finished with a scoreless inning and a strikeout. Sorrell went 3-for-5 with the home run, five RBI, and two strikeouts.

Tomas was 2-for-4 with a double and a walk. Cabada reached on two walks and scored twice, and Nunez had one hit and two walks. Derniche Valdez went 1-for-4, and Cespedes was 1-for-4 with a run scored. The Pelicans piled up eight hits and eight walks, struck out 12 times, and left 11 runners on base.

Top-20 Prospect Performance

1. Josiah Hartshorn: 0-for-2, BB, K
2. Cade Townsend: DNP
3. Jaxon Wiggins: DNP
4. Owen Ayers: 2-for-4, 2B, K
5. Kane Kepley: 2-for-4, 3B, R, K
6. Ethan Conrad: DNP
7. Caden Sorrell: 3-for-5, HR, 5 RBI, 2 K
8. Kaleb Wing: DNP
9. Myles Bailey: DNP
10. Brooks Caple: DNP
11. James Triantos: 0-for-3, BB, R, K
12. Will Sanders: DNP
13. Juan Cabada: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 R
14. Jostin Florentino: DNP
15. Derniche Valdez: 1-for-4, 2 K
16. Grant Kipp: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
17. Jose Escobar: 1-for-3, BB, R, K
18. Ariel Armas: 1-for-3, 2B, K
19. Fernando Cruz: DNP
20. Brandon Birdsell: DNP

Interested in learning more about the Chicago Cubs' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!

Do you approve of the job the Cubs front office is doing?

Do you approve of the job the Cubs front office is doing?

• Do you approve of the job the Cubs front office is doing? Required
  

  
• Save

See All Cubs Polls >