Cubs Minor League Weekend Recap: Jaxon Wiggins Returns, Yenrri Rojas Dazzles, Kane Kepley and Myrtle Beach Dominate

Cubs Affiliate Overview (August 23 – August 24)

• Triple-A Iowa Cubs
  Series vs. Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston Astros): Split 3-3
  Season Record: 61-64

• Double-A Tennessee Smokies
  Series vs. Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays): Loss 1-5
  Season Record: 56-62

• High-A South Bend Cubs
  Series vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins): Win 4-2
  Season Record: 53-66

• Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans
  Series vs. Charleston RiverDogs (Tampa Bay Rays): Win 6-1
  Season Record: 63-54

Triple-A Iowa Cubs

Season Record: 61-64
Series Opponent: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston Astros)
Series Standing: Split 3-3

August 23: The Cubs kept the Space Cowboys earthbound with a 7-2 win on Saturday. Chris Kachmar took the mound for Iowa and spun an impressive 5 ⅔ innings of ball, allowing just one run on one hit and striking out ten batters. Kachmar picked up his second win of the season for his effort which was arguably his best appearance of the season.

The Cubs had three players notch a multi hit performance with Jonathan Long continuing his exceptional hot streak. Long went 2-for-5 on the day with two RBIs and his 19th home run of the season.

Kevin Alcantara went 2-for-4 with a double, but it was his defensive highlight that stole the show. Ben Cowles went 2-for-4 and helped keep the RBIs flowing.

Ethan Conrad, the Cubs first overall pick in the 2025 draft is unlikely to make his debut this season as he rehabs his left shoulder at the team’s complex in Arizona. He made a trip to Wrigley Field this week and noted that he should begin hitting sometime in the next couple of days. While we’re unlikely to see Conrad in an affiliate uniform this season, it’s nice to hear that the team’s top pick is close to working on his swing with the staff that has helped Matt Shaw and Pete Crow Armstrong adjust and thrive in the majors.

August 24: The Space Cowboys knocked the Cubs out of their orbit on Sunday as they fell 8-4 in the series finale. Will Sanders made his start today on extended rest, but put up another underwhelming performance, giving up six earned runs on six hits in just 3 and ⅔ innings of work. He managed to strike out five and walk just one, but he gave up too much hard contact. Opposing batters have been hitting .264 against the young righty in August. The length and demands of the season may be starting to get to Sanders as he’s already surpassed his career high of innings pitched (106 ⅓ so far in 2025).

The bats made some noise as the team amassed 12 hits on the day, but they struggled to get runs across the plate. Moises Ballesteros continued to do what Ballesteros does, going 2-for-3 with two walks, a home run, and raising his team leading batting average to .319.

It’s clear why the Cubs told teams at the trade deadline that Moises would be off the table. I can’t imagine he’ll stay in Iowa once the team makes their September call ups.

Kevin Alcantara went 2-for-5 with a double and Carlos Perez added a 2-for-5 performance of his own, continuing to add depth and slug to an Iowa team full of talent.

The biggest story of the night though was Jonathan Long, who after a 1-for-5 performance tonight set the new record for the longest on base streak in franchise history with 35 games. Long continues to defy odds this season - after a down month in June, Long put up a 1.073 OPS in July and a .931 OPS so far in August.

Double-A Tennessee Smokies

Season Record: 56-62
Series Opponent: Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays)
Series Standing: Loss 1-5

August 23: Saturday’s game was postponed due to rain.

August 24: The Smokies dropped both games of their double header against the Biscuits.

GAME 1 

The Cubs lost a heart breaker in game one, falling 5-4 after a two run rally in the 7th inning fell short. Jaxon Wiggins made his first start today for the Smokies since July 19th, and only his second start since June 20th. Wiggins looked sharp, throwing three innings without allowing a hit and striking out two. According to the radar gun at the stadium, Wiggins’ first pitch of the night came out at 101mph, and his fastball consistently stayed in the upper 90’s. Jaxon has missed a lot of baseball in the past two months, but he hasn’t spent any time on the injured list. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023 and equalling his career high in innings pitched, the Cubs appear to be monitoring the flame-thrower's workload while also allowing him a taste of game action to keep him sharp.

The offense started out slow but got on the board in the fifth inning thanks to a two-run homer by Carter Trice, his first of the season.

The Cubs rallied again in the bottom of the 7th, putting up two runs to bring the game within one. Brett Bateman (1-for-3) notched a sac fly to score Jordan Nwogu and Pedro Ramirez (1-for-4) added an RBI single. With a man on third and one out, the game looked within reach, but BJ Murray Jr would pop out and Corey Joyce would ground out softly to end the game.

GAME 2

The Cubs lost their second game to the Biscuits 3-1. Erian Rodriguez made his first start this season for the Smokies after being called up from High-A South Bend. He impressed in his debut against stiff competition. Despite picking up the loss, he pitched five innings, allowing just two earned runs (each on a solo homer) and striking out six batters to keep the Smokies in the game.

The offense couldn’t do enough to pick up the win with the team combining for just three total hits. Ben Joyce notched two of them, going 2-for-3 on the day.

High-A South Bend Cubs

Season Record: 53-66
Series Opponent: Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins)
Series Standing: Win 4-2

August 23: The Cubs popped the Kernels on Saturday, shutting out the first place team 2-0. Starter Kenten Egbert wasn’t flashy, but he limited hard contact and pitched a gem, going six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and striking out three.

The offense wasn’t flashy either, but they got the job done, putting up six hits and two runs in the contest. Alexis Hernandez was called up from Myrtle Beach three games ago and flashed hit talent today, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. 

Ariel Armas impressed behind the dish today as well. He threw out his 52nd baserunner tonight, tied for 2nd best in baseball this season.

He also scored the team's second run of the night by going from first to home on an RBI single from Cameron Sisneros.

August 24: The Cubs shucked the 1st place Kernels again today, taking home a 4-2 win. Yenrri Rojas continues to dazzle since he was called up to High-A on July 20th. He took the mound today and pitched 7 innings of baseball, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out six batters. His ERA for South Bend is a microscopic 0.93 and continues to go deep into games while racking up K’s. This was Rojas’ fourth consecutive start where he pitched at least five innings and striking out six or more batters.

Offensively, South Bend tallied just five hits but managed to score four runs thanks to home runs from Edgar Alvarez (8) and Cameron Sisneros (4).

Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Season Record: 63-54
Series Opponent: Charleston RiverDogs (Tampa Bay Rays)
Series Standing: Win 6-1

August 23: Myrtle Beach took the RiverDogs to the pound in their doubleheader sweep on Saturday.

GAME 1:

Ethan Flanagan took the mound for the Pelicans today and struggled through three innings of work. He managed to limit the damage to just two runs, but he gave up seven hits and a walk to keep the basepaths busy. Reliever Thomas Magus picked up his second win of the season thanks to two innings of shut out ball.

Kane Kepley continues to destroy the ball and race around the bases since being drafted by the Cubs this season. After a 2-for-4 performance today, he’s hitting .375 with a 1.057 OPS in the leadoff spot for a surging Pelicans team.

The Pelicans added another three runs in the third and put the game out of reach thanks to a blast to right center field from third baseman Yahil Melendez. Melendez went 2-for-3 in the contest with three RBI’s.

GAME 2:

The Pelicans continued their surge with an 8-1 rout of the RiverDogs in game 2. Victor Zarraga made his first start for Myrtle Beach since being called up from rookie ball. He impressed in his starter debut, pitching 4 no-hit innings, striking out three batters and walking just one. 

The Pelicans dinked and dunked their way to the win, scoring eight runs on just six hits - all singles. Dilan Grandillo put up a two-run knock in the fourth to put the Pelicans up 3-0.

Thanks to a fielding error, Alexey Lumpuy cleared the bases and drove in three runners with an RBI single to cap off a six run fourth inning.

Lumpuy continued to shine, throwing out a runner at home from center field in the sixth to continue the dominant performance.

August 24: The Pelicans keep the good times rolling with a 13-12 extra innings win in the series finale against the RiverDogs. Ronny Lopez gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings during his start, but it was Luis Reyes giving up another three in just ⅓ of an inning that put the Pelicans on the ropes. 

It didn’t matter though, as five different Pelicans put up three hit performances from the plate. Kane Kepley and Ty Southisene went an identical 2-for-5 with two RBI’s and two walks at the top of the order.

Angel Cepeda caps off a 15-hit, three-double, one-homer performance against the RiverDogs with a 3-for-6 night while adding on a triple.

Alexey Lumpuy also capped off a great weekend with a 3-for-6 performance and helped work a game winning wild pitch to walk off the RiverDogs.

Notable Promotions / Injury Notes

• Myrtle Beach Pelicans placed RHP Yoendris Gonzalez on the 7-day injured list

• Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Javier Assad to Iowa Cubs

• Chicago Cubs recalled LHP Jordan Wicks from Iowa Cubs

• LHP Cole Reynolds assigned to South Bend Cubs from Iowa Cubs

• Iowa Cubs activated RHP Will Sanders

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!