I-Cubs Ride Hot Streak in Nevada

The  I-Cubs are off today and on their way home to begin a binge of games in Des Moines over the next six weeks after a junket to Nevada where they cleaned up by going 7-1 in Las Vegas and Reno. Seems like a good time to check up on them.

In the last 10 days the club has raised its team BA about 25 points. While winning eight of their last nine they've pummeled the opposition by a count of 74-26. Chad Tracy didn’t play in yesterday’s 6-1 getaway win in Reno, but Iowa is 7-0 in his starts since he was demoted in the Castro shuffle. He’s hitting a little league-esque .581!

Thomas Diamond was yesterday’s winning pitcher. He didn’t walk a man in six one-run innings while running his record to 3-0 and now sports a flashy 2.08 ERA for the year. He’s only given up more than two earned runs once in eight starts, and then only three, but hasn’t stretched out too far yet, logging only 43 total innings. He also bears a striking resemblance to golfer Hal Sutton even though his middle name is Nicklaus [yes, that’s how it’s spelled].

Jay Jackson threw another scoreless inning yesterday as he preps for a possible role in the Wrigley relief corps. In contrast to the parent club, the I-Cubs’ bullpen has compiled an ERA of 2.89 in 123 innings.

Another contrast between the siblings is that Iowa is 17-3 when outhitting their opponent. After last night’s mini-sweep of the Rockies the C-Cubs are only 11-9 in that category, another indication of their penchant for wasted opportunity.

Behind the plate Wellington Castillo continues his one-man speed trap for PCL base stealers. He leads the league with a 58% CS rate [10-17].

Micah Hoffpauir finally nudged his BA north of .200 on the road trip, but even when he struggles, he produces. For the year he’s managed to drive in 29 runs with only 28 hits. Very soon he’ll own the team record for career doubles.

Darwin Barney has gotten hot enough to be hitting just over .300 for the year, but he’s fanned 22 times while drawing only five walks. He would seem like a nice accent to a trade package given the talent above and below him in the organization at SS.

Cashner should pitch the Sunday matinee here after winning his first two Triple A starts on the road and I hope to have my first look at him then.

 

Tags: 
Iowa Cubs update
Submitted by Mike Wellman on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 8:51am
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Comments

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 9:23am

Does anyone know why Blake Parker never gets mentioned in the conversation about possible Chicago bullpen call-ups? He's been really good as the closer at Iowa. Is his stuff not up to snuff?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 10:51am

Mike's comments below echo what I heard. Parker, like others, had a chance to make the team out of ST, but didn't get the job done.

Submitted by Q-Ball
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 9:27am

Mike: Nice article. The players I am keeping an eye on are the Bullpen Guys; quite obviously, this is an urgent need in Wrigley.

In addition to Jackson, can you comment on BLAKE PARKER and JEFF STEVENS? It appears Parker is still missing bats but also hasn't walked anyone lately, which was his problem initially. And STEVENS is also dealing. Though he failed last year, he has an advantage in that he is already on the 40-man.

Parker or Jackson would require a 40-man move, though the Cubs have several options: 60-Day Guzman, or Outright Hoffpauir, or outright Berg.

If we like Hoff we can re-sign him, I don't think anyone is going to jump on a 30-year old, .207 AAA First Baseman, though I might be wrong.

I don't think Justin Berg is a major-league pitcher. His minor league numbers show that batters always made contact on him, and his peripherals are actually worse than his 6+ ERA. He should go.

Submitted by Q-Ball
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 9:31am

PS, and MITCH ATKINS is also pitching well. Not sure I want him in Wrigley though, he seems very "smoke and mirrors". He just doesn't have good stuff. I give him credit for getting alot of mileage from the pedestrian stuff he does have.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 11:22am

Agree about Berg. You have to miss a bat once in a while.

I'm impressed that Sandberg has taken this roster and turned it into a team that can have a winning streak--although the pitching is quite good. But they've been scoring runs lately in the usual Iowa manner. Von Joshua's mojo seems to be working again. Everybody is hitting or has started to hit (Adduci, Hoffpauir) except Chris Robinson.

Speaking of pitching, Chris Archer (Daytona) had a good outing yesterday: 6 innings, 2 hits, 0 walks, 10 strikeouts.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:52pm

it is impressive how Sandberg and Joshua are hitting and pitching the team to victory...

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:57pm

You sound like crunch. Are they overpaid, too?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:04pm

by baseball standards? No

life standards? probably

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:04pm

both combined could save you enough over lou and our greek god of batting coaches to buy a high-end reliever.

lulz.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:54pm

I'm not sure I realized Berg was still with the team until I read that.

14 IP, 6.43 ERA, 10 BB, 3 K, 13 H

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:58pm

He writes a good song, though.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:58pm

Submitted by Q-Ball on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 8:27am.

Parker or Jackson would require a 40-man move, though the Cubs have several options: 60-Day Guzman, or Outright Hoffpauir, or outright Berg.

==================================================

Q-BALL: Blake Parker was added to the Cubs 40-man roster last November. You are right about Jay Jackson not being on the 40, though.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 10:07am

command holding back both parker [walked 9 in 16 IP] & stevens [10 in 21]...atkins has given only 15 hits in 25 IP & has a 0.92 WHIP [same as jackson's]; last 2 appearances starts after 8 relief outings to start the year...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 12:29pm

WGN-HD available on DirecTV...

http://www.dbstalk.com/

Submitted by Eric S
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:06pm

... plus ESPNU HD and TravelChannel HD. Thanks for the link/info!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 12:41pm

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-cubs-...

and a mock draft taking RHP Brett Eibner from Arkansas

http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/10/1465572...

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:59pm

With a name like that, he's got to be a good pitcher. In 1896, that is.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:09pm

so when zorro rejoins the rotation who leaves? are we going 6-man? did anybody ask 'the decider' these questions?

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:15pm

Time to put away your Tom Gorzalany jersey.

Don't know if this was posted but radio is reporting Marshall will be the 8th inning guy.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:16pm

probably not tonight though agains the lefty-heavy Phils, he's gone 3 days in a row.

great news for my fantasy team though...only took Lou a month and a half to realize what everyone could see the first week.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:15pm

it would seem so easy to trade a starting pitcher in this market...

seems to me the move to long relief for Z is a delay tactic since he could be in the rotation in 3-4 days if they wanted him to be on an 80-90 pitch count and be up to normal by 2-3 starts. How much work is really going to get in mop-up duty?

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 2:48pm

Bad news, Gorz: Your rotation spot and, as a result, perhaps, your entire Cubs career might ride on your performance tonight. Welcome to CitBank.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:13pm

probably no Marshall tonight, leaving Russell and Grab-Ass to face Utley (if he's over the flu), Rollins, Victorino (switch-hitters), Howard and Ibanez

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:15pm

You don't think Gorzellany goes the distance?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:18pm

is there rain in the forecast?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:47pm

He's the lefty version of Rich Harden. If he could just get through the first innings in decent shape, he could probably get pretty deep into games. Against the Phillies I expect another five inning, 7K, 4BB outing, though.

16.6 pitchers per inning on the season. Not Madduxian, but not evil bad either. That comes to 116 pitches for seven innings.

He's been lucky on his FB/HR ratio, though. Hopefully that luck continues, at least one more night.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:50pm

nothing like the Phillies offense and Citizen Bank Park to test the theory.

He's also been unlucky on his BABIP, so maybe it'll even out a bit.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 2:15pm

That is a helluva' lot of pitchers per inning. Do teams have that many pitchers on a roster?

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:34pm

good thing we got everything ironed out before we start playing the big league portion of the schedule...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:46pm

I have to admit I'm pretty excited about Diamond and of course Cashner.

Diamond was the top prospect in the Rangers system in 2005, dropping to 3 and 4 the following years before undergoing TJ surgery, which usually isn't more than a speed bump. Problem was he had an ankle injury while rehabbing the arm that delayed him further and for whatever reason the Rangers soured on him.

awesome story from Wikipedia if true

In the fall of 2004, Diamond made a name for himself in an obscure Instructional League game during which he tripped and fell on the mound while attempting a pickoff move. The opposing Oakland A's prospects laughed at Diamond, who then walked off the mound towards the A's dugout and told them that the next person to laugh was going to be wearing a fastball in the temple. Diamond then threw his next pitch three feet behind the hitter at the plate and then delivered nine consecutive strikes to punch out the side.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 1:47pm

oh snap...

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 2:17pm

Diamond's peripherals don't look so good this year. His 1.82 SO/BB ratio is not so good, and he will not be too successful in the big leagues if that ratio continues. He is also 27.

UPDATE: Looks like his SO/BB ratio either went up after yesterday, or was misrepresented where I saw it earlier. But still it is only 2.18. That needs to get better.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 2:41pm

cynic.

I floated you a trade idea btw.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:35pm

realist.

and i'm thinking about it. its intriguing.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:47pm

no rush.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 2:21pm

Looks like Ricketts' Toyota sign will happen, but only if it's more horizontal and less vertical and mounted inside the park. The locals also aren't buying Ricketts' BS about just one sign. They want a comprehensive plan for all future signage, not a piecemeal approach.

more

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 2:41pm

"The locals also aren't buying Ricketts' BS about just one sign."

Screw them!! They don't live in Wrigley Field.

If they don't like it, Ricketts should move the team to Addison and see how those a-holes like their property values then.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:22pm

that tale about diamond would make a great movie scene!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:35pm

Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Werth RF, Rollins SS, Ibanez LF, Ruiz C and Moyer

Phillies with a .846 OPS against lefties so far this year, tops in the majors.

Cubs at .783 for 5th best...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:39pm

Cubs lineup vs. Moyer: riot, castro, lee, byrd, rami, sori, BAKER (RF), soto, gorz.

no Nady, ruh roh

Jeff Stevens at the park, not sure who's going although I'd guess Caridad back to DL or Berg sent down.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:41pm

"no Nady, ruh roh"

Is he hurt? Besides, you know, the whole no right arm thing.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:44pm

~shrug~

could just be the couple 3 lefties (4 w/ Moyer) and the switch-hitters...figured they'd run on him all day.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:46pm

So Lou puts a guy who's played outfield a grand total of 3 times in last 3 years in right against one of the most potent lf lineups in NL?

Because he bats RH?

Just checking.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:49pm

Baker did go 1/3 against Moyer last year with a double.

You cannot refute that sort of statistical ownage.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:54pm

Now I'll sleep better.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:51pm

Caridad to the DL it is...

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:21pm

I love batting one of the team's best hitters, and highest OBP guy, right in front of the pitcher.

And Baker? Really? Can't Colvin play right?

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:27pm

Lou's following Dusty's "Desperate Times Call for Stupid Means" book.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:37pm

it'll only be his 3rd start since the last week of april.

they gotta play sometime.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:40pm

right field???

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:54pm

yeah, him over nady and giving either castro or riot a break is an odd one...

still, baker's gotta see some time starting in order to know what pitches still look like...he's no colvin hehe.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 3:42pm

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicagocubs/post/_/id...

bunch of quips from radio appearance by Ricketts on the Wriglet Field experience...

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