Cubs Minor League Recap: Standout Cubs Performances Across The System (April 8-10)

Cubs Minor League Report: April 8–10, 2025

Farm System at a glance:

• Iowa Cubs (AAA): 2–1 for the series, 5-4 for the season

• Knoxville Smokies (AA): 1–1 for the series, 2-2 for the season

• South Bend Cubs (High-A): 2–0 for the series, 2-3 for the season

• Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Low-A): 1–2 for the series, 3-2 for the season

Triple-A: Iowa Cubs (5-4)

Opponent: Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers affiliate) Series Record: 2–1

April 8: Win, 14–1

Opponent: Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers affiliate)
Series Record (to date): 1–0

Game Summary:
The Iowa Cubs opened the series in spectacular fashion, pummeling the Mud Hens 14–1 behind an early offensive explosion and strong pitching from Chris Flexen. The first inning set the tone as Carlos Pérez crushed a grand slam to cap a five-run rally, with Flexen and James Triantos adding pressure on the basepaths via steals and sharp baserunning.

Flexen worked six innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts, holding Toledo scoreless through five before exiting with a commanding lead. The offensive onslaught didn’t stop early—Jonathon Long homered and doubled in a three-RBI day, Greg Allen added a three-run homer of his own, and Moises Ballesteros racked up three extra-base hits, including a triple in the eighth.

The Cubs racked up 17 hits, stole five bases, and walked six times, showcasing patience, power, and aggressive baserunning in one of their most complete performances of the season.

Top Performers:

• Carlos Pérez (C): 2-for-6, HR (1), 4 RBI – Grand slam broke the game open in the 1st inning.
• Moises Ballesteros (1B): 4-for-6, 2B, 3B, 2 R – Three extra-base hits and a steal in a breakout game.
• Jonathon Long (DH): 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, BB – Crushed a two-run homer and added an RBI double.
• Greg Allen (LF): 1-for-5, HR (1), 3 RBI – Smashed a three-run homer in the 5th.
• James Triantos (2B): 3-for-6, 2B, RBI, 2 R, SB – Got on base and stayed in motion all night.
• Chris Flexen (SP): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K – Commanded the strike zone and worked deep into the game.

April 9: Postponed

April 10: Loss, 1–0

Opponent: Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers affiliate)
Series Record (to date): 2–2

Game Summary:
In a tightly contested pitcher’s duel, the Iowa Cubs couldn’t break through offensively and fell 1–0 to the Mud Hens. Cade Horton was sharp in his Triple-A debut, allowing just one run over four innings while striking out six. The lone run came in the 4th inning after Jace Jung and Bligh Madris singles, with the latter driving in the game's only run.

The Cubs' bullpen kept the game within reach, with Gavin Hollowell and Brandon Hughes combining for four scoreless innings. Offensively, Iowa struggled to capitalize on opportunities, leaving six runners on base and going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Ben Cowles provided a spark with a single and a stolen base in the seventh inning, but the rally was short-lived.

Top Performers:

• Cade Horton (SP): 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K — strong debut for the 2022 first-rounder. Named Player of The Game on April 10th.
• Ben Cowles (SS): 1-for-3, SB — reached base and played a role in two double plays.
• Reese McGuire (C): 1-for-2, BB — productive at the plate, including a bunt single.
• Christian Franklin (RF): 1-for-3, BB — reached twice and made multiple plays in the outfield.

Roster Moves: Ethan Roberts, RHP, was recalled from Triple-A Iowa following Justin Steele’s placement on the 15-day IL.]

Double-A: Knoxville Smokies (2-2) Final Series Record: 1–2

Opponent: Rocket City Trash Pandas (Los Angeles Angels affiliate) Series Record: 1–1

Game Results: April 8:  Loss, 4–3

Opponent: Rocket City Trash Pandas

Game Summary:
Despite an early 2–0 lead and a solid start from Sam Armstrong, the Smokies couldn’t hold off the Trash Pandas in a tightly contested finale. Pablo Aliendo was the offensive standout, driving in two with a single in the first and adding a solo homer in the fourth to briefly tie the game at 3–3.

The Smokies stranded key runners in scoring position late, and Cole Fontenelle continued to torment Tennessee pitching, doubling to lead off the eighth and scoring the game-winning run. A.J. Puckett took the loss after giving up the go-ahead hit, and the Smokies couldn’t mount a comeback in the ninth.

Top Performers:

• Pablo Aliendo (C): 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI – Delivered nearly all of Tennessee’s offense.
• Jaylen Palmer (CF): 2-for-5, 2 SB, R – Stayed hot and remained aggressive on the bases.
• Ed Howard (SS): 1-for-3 – Clean single in the 7th and solid defense up the middle.

April 9: Win, 6–1

Opponent: Rocket City Trash Pandas (Los Angeles Angels affiliate)
Series Record (to date): 1–1

Game Summary:
The Smokies secured their first win of the season behind a dominant pitching debut from Grant Kipp, who tossed five hitless innings and kept Rocket City off-balance throughout. Knoxville opened the scoring thanks to a balk that plated Hayden Cantrelle following a leadoff triple. In the sixth, the Smokies struck again with RBI singles from Pedro Ramirez and Jaylen Palmer, who finished with two hits and three RBIs.

The bullpen trio of Ben Leeper, Cayne Ueckert, and Zac Leigh combined for four strong innings to preserve the lead, while BJ Murray Jr. added insurance with a solo homer in the eighth. It was a wire-to-wire win built on pitching efficiency and late offensive pressure.

Top Performers:

• Grant Kipp (SP): 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K – Electric Double-A debut.
• Jaylen Palmer (RF): 2-for-4, 2 RBI, SB – Key RBI knock and aggressive baserunning.
• Pedro Ramirez (2B): 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R, SB – Table-setter at the top.
• BJ Murray Jr. (1B): 1-for-3, HR (1), BB – Crushed his first homer of the year.

April 10: Postponed due to inclement weather. The doubleheader is scheduled for Friday, April 11th.

High-A: South Bend Cubs (2-3)

Opponent: Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate) Series Record: 2–0

Game Results: April 8: Win, 5–3

Opponent: Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate)
Series Record (to date): 1–0

Game Summary:
South Bend shook off a slow start in the freezing temps of Opening Day. The South Bend Cubs roared to life in the sixth inning, putting up a five-run rally to notch their first win of the season. Tyler Schlaffer kept things close early with a gritty outing, working around traffic and getting help from the defense—including a heads-up pickoff and a pair of double plays.

Down 2–0 entering the bottom of the sixth, the Cubs' bats exploded. Christian Hernandez led off with his second double of the night and later scored on Andy Garriola’s RBI single. Then the floodgates opened. Brian Kalmer tripled home two runs to give South Bend the lead, Ivan Brethowr followed with an RBI single, and Reginald Preciado capped the surge with a line-drive RBI double.

Peoria scratched one run back in the eighth, but strong relief from Yovanny Cabrera and a game-ending ninth from Vince Reilly locked it down. It was a much-needed comeback for South Bend, who showed resilience and timely hitting to secure their first home victory of 2025.

Top Performers:

• Cristian Hernandez (SS): 2-for-4, 2 2B, R – Set the tone with two doubles and scored the first run of the rally.
• Brian Kalmer (1B): 2-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI, R – Crushed a go-ahead triple in the sixth.
• Ivan Brethowr (RF): 2-for-3, RBI, R – Collected his first hit of the season and drove in a key insurance run.
• Tyler Schlaffer (SP): 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K – Gutsy effort with help from his infield.
• Reginald Preciado (2B): 1-for-4, 2B, RBI – Contributed at the plate and turned multiple double plays.

April 9: Postponed (Weather)

April 10: Win, 3–2

Opponent: Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate)
Series Record (to date): 2–2

Game Summary:
In a gritty, grind-it-out contest at Four Winds Field, the South Bend Cubs battled through defensive miscues and late-inning pressure to come away with a narrow 3–2 victory. Pitching dominated the early frames on both sides, with Jaxon Wiggins holding Peoria scoreless through the first three innings while striking out four.

Peoria got on the board in the top of the 4th on a throwing error by Wiggins, but South Bend responded in the 5th. After a walk to Ariel Armas, a wild series of defensive lapses allowed Reginald Preciado to reach and score, followed by Carter Trice reaching on another error to give South Bend a 2–1 lead.

Peoria tied it 2–2 in the 8th, thanks to a catcher interference call and a throwing error. Still, Burl Carroway held strong to hold Peoria with bases loaded, only giving up one run due to a pitch clock violation on a full count. The Cubs’ bats responded in support of Carroway’s efforts In the bottom of the frame, Cristian Hernandez launched a go-ahead solo home run to left — his first of the season — to reclaim the lead. Sam Thoresen came in for the 9th and worked around a two-out double to shut the door with a game-ending strikeout.

Top Performers: 

• Cristian Hernandez (SS): 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, R – Clutched up with the go-ahead homer in the 8th and added a single earlier.
• Reginald Preciado (2B): Reached twice, scored a run, and turned two double plays defensively.
• Brian Kalmer (1B): 0-for-2, 2 BB – Steady presence at first base and showed patience at the plate.
• Jaxon Wiggins (SP): 4.0 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 4 K – Solid outing despite a costly error; kept hitters off balance.
• Sam Thoresen (RP): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K – Nailed the save with poise under pressure.
• Burl Carraway (RP): 2.0 IP, 1 R (unearned), 1 HBP, 1 BB, 1 K – Worked out of a wild 8th to preserve the tie.

Notable: South Bend bounced back from a winless road series in Beloit to notch a strong home opener, enduring freezing temperatures for a crowd that battled alongside the team on Tuesday night. Thursday’s game was locked down thanks to Carraway’s ability to remain cool with bases loaded and persevere to work himself out of that jam in the top of the 8th, coupled with Christian Hernandez’s lead-off home run to start the bottom of the 8th allowed South Bend to take the lead over Peoria and solidify the South Bend Cubs “W” against The Peoria Chiefs.

Low-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (3-2)

Opponent: Carolina Mudcats (Milwaukee Brewers affiliate) Series Record: 1–2

Game Results:

April 8: Loss, 0–14

Highlights:
It was a tough night for the Pelicans, who managed just two singles in a 14–0 blowout loss. Starter Hayden Frank (0–1) was hit hard, surrendering eight runs on 12 hits over 3.1 innings. Charlie Hurley impressed in his pro debut, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts. Myrtle Beach went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 baserunners.

April 9: Opponent: Carolina Mudcats (Brewers affiliate)

• Loss 9-2
• Series Record (to date): 0–2

Game Summary:
Carolina jumped ahead early, drawing four walks and cashing in with a three-run single from Luis Peña in the second inning. The Mudcats tacked on three more in the third, helped by another RBI knock from Yannic Walther, who would finish with four RBIs on the night. Myrtle Beach briefly responded with a run in the bottom of the third, as Christopher Paciolla singled in Michael Carico, but the rally stalled. Braylon Payne stole home in the seventh to push the game further out of reach. Walther capped the offensive output with a two-run double in the eighth.

The Pelicans offense struggled against Carolina’s bullpen, striking out 12 times and managing just three hits. Their only other run came in the eighth when Leonel Espinoza drove in Angel Cepeda, who had reached on an error.

Top Performers:

• Christopher Paciolla (3B): RBI single, 1-for-4, SB
• Leonel Espinoza (RF): RBI single, 1-for-5
• Luis Peña (CAR): 3-for-5, 3 RBI
• Yannic Walther (CAR): 2-for-4, 2B, 4 RBI

April 10: Win, 6–2

Opponent: Carolina Mudcats (Milwaukee Brewers affiliate)
Series Record (to date): 1–2

Game Summary:
The Pelicans struck early and never looked back, riding a five-run burst through the first two innings to secure their first win of the series. Matt Halbach opened the scoring with an RBI double, followed by a clutch two-run single from Michael Carico to make it 3–0 in the first. In the second, Leonel Espinoza added an RBI single, and Jose Escobar drove in another on a heads-up forceout, extending the lead to 5–0.

Nazier Mulé was efficient through five innings, giving up just one run while striking out five. Despite a solo homer in the sixth by Filippo Di Turi, the Pelicans quickly answered with a sixth run thanks to Angel Cepeda’s RBI single and aggressive baserunning by Anderson Suriel.

The bullpen held strong, with Yoendris Gonzalez and Brayden Risedorph combining for four innings of one-run ball. Defensively, the Pelicans turned a game-ending double play to seal the win.

Top Performers:

• Nazier Mulé (SP): 5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K – Poised and in command from the start.
• Angel Cepeda (SS): 3-for-4, BB, RBI – Reached four times and provided a key insurance run.
• Anderson Suriel (LF): 3-for-4, R, SB – Energized the offense with hustle and consistent contact.
• Alexey Lumpuy (RF): 3-for-5, 2 R – Sparked both early rallies with base hits and strong baserunning.
• Michael Carico (C): 1-for-4, 2 RBI – Delivered a two-run single to cap the first-inning outburst.
• Matt Halbach (1B): 1-for-4, 2B, RBI – Kicked off the scoring with a liner to the gap.
• Yoendris Gonzalez (RP): 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 K – Bridged the middle innings to maintain the lead.
• Brayden Risedorph (RP): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K – Locked it down late with a clean eighth and ninth.

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