Cubs Insider Weekly Farm Report: 6/8 – 6/14

AAA: Iowa Cubs (4-2 record on the week)

Not a lot of offense from Iowa over the last week, but Christian Villanueva did slug his 10th home run of the year on Sunday. Between two levels, Villanueva has 10 home runs and 35 RBI in 55 games.

Utilityman Chris Valaika went 3-12 with 2 RBI in limited playing time.

On the mound, Dallas Beeler looks to have regained his form. The right-hander started twice and was dominant despite not picking up a win. Beeler threw 11 innings of 1-run ball. He struck out 14 and walked an impressive zero. Beeler lowered his season ERA from 9.82 to 7.57.

Carlos Pimentel picked up a win last Friday versus the Sky Sox by throwing 6 shutout innings. Queitly, Pimentel has been pretty solid this season. He is now 4-4 on the season with a 3.67 ERA in 12 games (11 starts).

Hitter of the week: Arismendy Alcantara – 5-23, 3B, 4 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Pitcher of the week: Dallas Beeler – 2 GS, 11 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 14 K (2 ND’s)

 

AA: Tennessee Smokies (3-3 record on the week)

Outfielder Jacob Hannemann had a week’s worth of production in one game last week. Hannemann went 4-6 with a home run, triple, and 2 doubles last Saturday versus the Suns. He also drove in 6 and scored 2 runs.

Second baseman Stephen Bruno went 6-18 with a home run, double, and 4 RBI on the week. Bruno has picked it up of late and has his season average up to .272 as of Sunday.

Pierce Johnson made his season debut last Thursday versus Jacksonville, throwing 3 shutout innings. Johnson was limited to 54 pitches returning from injury but he looked sharp. The Cubs #7 prospect according to MLB.com is a potential reinforcement for the big league team if needed down the stretch.

Rehabbing Jacob Turner drew 2 starts on the week and pitched very well. In 2 starts, Turner threw 9 innings of 2 run ball. He struck out 7 and walked only 2. Turner pitching well is an encouraging sign for the organization. Hopefully he can continue to pitch well and stay healthy.

Hitter of the week: Jacob Hannemann – 6-19, HR, 3B, 2 2B, 6 RBI, BB, 3 R

Pitcher of the week: Jacob Turner – 2 GS, 9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (1W)

 

High-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (3-4 record on the week)

Why does it seem that it’s the same two offensive players we cover in our weekly recap every week? Because it’s true. It’s hard not to revel in the play of Zagunis and Young.

Mark Zagunis went 9-29 with 3 doubles and 4 RBI; he also walked twice and scored 6 runs. Zagunis continues to lead the Carolina League with a .430 OBP as of Sunday.

Second baseman Chesny Young continued his hot hitting, going 10-27 on the week. Young also drove in 2 runs and walked 3 times.

Jonathan Martinez quietly continues to throw very well. Martinez started and won both games last week, throwing 11 innings of 2 run baseball. On the season, the right-hander is 5-1 with a 2.62 ERA in 11 games.

Tyler Skulina kept rolling in the right direction in his lone start last week. Skulina threw 7 shutout innings versus the Hillcats last Friday, striking out 7 batters while walking 4. That is now his 6th start giving up 2 or fewer runs in his last 7. Skulina’s season ERA now sits at 3.27.

Hitter of the week: Mark Zagunis – 9-29, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 6 R

Pitcher of the week: Jonathan Martinez – 2 GS, 11 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (2W)

 

Low-A: South Bend Cubs (1-4 record on the week)

Gleyber Torres is back in the recap after not being here last week; the 18-year-old put on a show for the fans in Peoria on Sunday. Torres went 5-5 at the dish with his 1st home run of the season, driving in 3. For the week, he went 7-17 overall.

Outfielder Yasiel Balaguert had a nice week, going 9-22 with 4 doubles and 5 runs scored. Balaguert continues to be a candidate for a promotion once moving day comes around. His triple slash line as of Sunday sits .295/.330/.464.

Cael Brockmeyer slugged his 5th home run of the season on Sunday.

Erick Leal picked up the lone Cubs win last week. Leal pitched solidly, going into the 6th inning allowing 3 runs; he also struck out 5 while walking 2. Leal is now 5-4 on the season with a 5.17 ERA.

Jeremy Null threw another quality start in his lone start of the week. Null went 6 innings and allowed 3 runs against Peoria last Saturday. That is now 10 starts out of 11 in which he has allowed 3 runs or less.

Hitter of the week: Yasiel Balaguert – 9-22, 4 2B, RBI, BB, 5 R

Pitcher of the week: Jeremy Null –  1 GS, 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (ND)