D'backs Black Blank the Cubs at Sloan Park

Deivi Estrada belted a solo HR, Luis Rubio singled twice, walked, stole a base, and scored a run, Jose Fernandez singled twice, scored a run, and drove-in another, Grayson Greiner drilled a single and a double, and Sean Poppen, Ricardo Yan, and Miguel Gil combined to toss a four-hit shutout with nine strikeouts, as the Diamondbacks Black squad blanked the Cubs 4-0 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Tuesday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was pre-planned as a seven inning affair.  

EXST Cubs top pitching prospect RHP Michael Arias (ex-SS) got the start for the Cubs, but had to leave the game after recording only one out when he suffered a lower body injury while covering home plate after a bases-loaded wild pitch. He also had a blister issue earlier in the inning, which may be why his usual upper 90's FB velo was down a couple of clicks (94-97 MPH instead of 96-99).      

RHP Dakota Mekkes (on AAA Iowa 7-day IL) made his first game appearance of the season, working 2.1 IP (30 pitches - 18 strikes) in relief. He allowed a run on two hits (the Estrada HR and the Greiner double), walked one, and struck out three (all swinging). He  displayed his usual 89-92 MPH FB, 85-88 CH, and 76-79 MPH CV in the game, had decent command of all of his pitches, and threw 60% strikes. Mekkes will be an MLB Rule 9 minor league 6YFA post-2022 if he isn't added to an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) or signs a 2023 minor league successor contract. He would appear to profile as a "once-through-the order / multi-inning" reliever at this point, and that's exactly how he was used in the game today.  

The best EXST Cub pitching performance of the day was by RHRP Angel Gonzalez, who mixed his high velo 96-98 MPH FB with a 86-87 MPH SL  - AND - with much better FB command than seen previously. His FB velo and command seem to be better when he can focus on throwing just one inning, instead of working two innings as he sometimes has been used in EXST games. Known as "Angel Gonzalez-Martinez" when he was signed by the Cubs as a 17-year old NDFA out of Puerto Rico in 2020, he now just goes by the name Angel Gonzalez. If he can command his hard stuff going forward and stay healthy, he will move quickly through the system, with a ceiling of a high-leverage one-inning reliever.   

In EXST roster news, INF Jake Slaughter has been moved-up to Hi-A South Bend. He was left behind in Mesa when the four full season affiliates left town last month and appeared to be a potential release candidate sooner rather than later, but he didn't pout, and has hit the ball very well while providing stellar defense at 3rd base in Cactus League EXST games over the past three weeks. If anybody "deserved" another chance, it was Jake Slaughter.   

Also, LHRP Wyatt Short has been assigned to AA Tennessee. Like Jake Slaughter, Short was left behind at EXST when the four Cubs full-season affiliates left town last month.Short is scheduled to be an MLB Rule 9 minor leaguer 6YFA post-2022. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 
CUBS LINEUP:
1. Rafael Morel, 3B: 0-3 (K, E-5, K) 
2. Moises Ballesteros, DH #1: 0-2 (BB, K, F-7)
3. Cristian Hernandez, SS: 0-3 (6-4 FC, F-8, K) 
4. Felix Stevens, 1B: 1-3 (1B, K, 6-3, SB)
5a. Dilan Granadillo, C: 0-1 (K, BB)
5b. Miguel Pabon, C: 0-0 (BB)
6a. Frank Hernandez, LF: 0-2 (E-6, 4-6 FC)  
6b. Raino Coran, LF: 0-1 (F-9)
7. Carlos Sepulveda, DH-2B: 0-3 (L-9, K, F-7)
8. Christian Olivo, 2B-DH: 0-2 (F-9, L-1) 
9a. Josue Huma, DH #3: 1-1 (1B, SB)
9b. Bryan Serra, PH: 0-1 (K) 
10. Cristian More, CF: 1-2 (6-3, 1B, SB) 
11. Carlos Morfa, RF: 1-2 (1B, K, CS) 

CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Michael Arias: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 1/0 GO/AO, 21 pitches (9 strikes) 
2. Dakota Mekkes: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 1 GIDP, 3/0 GO/AO, 30 pitches (18 strikes) 
3. C. D. Pelham: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/AO, 23 pitches (13 strikes) 
4. Yohan Crispin: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 12 pitches (7 strikes) 
5. Gregori Montano: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 16 pitches (9 strikes) 
6. Angel Gonzalez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 17 pitches (11 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: NONE 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Dilan Granadillo: 0-2 CS 

CUBS OUTFIELD ASSISTS: 2
1. LF Raino Coran - runner thrown out 7-5 attempting to advance from 1st to 3rd on a single 
2. RF Carlos Morfa - runner thrown out 9-5 attempting to advance from 1st to 3rd on a single

ATTENDANCE: 20 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 80's  

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