Rockies Victory at Riverview Strictly Kafkaesque

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 10/15/2021 - 7:34pm

Rockies 2021 1st round draft pick Benny Montgomery drilled a two-run single and scored a run to highlight a three-run third inning, Rockies 2021 8th round draft pick Robby Martin ripped a two-run single in a two-run seventh, and RHSP Cullen Kafka (Rockies 2021 9th round pick) tossed two innings of no- run / no-hit ball and combined with five relievers on a five-hitter, helping the Rockies defeat the Cubs 5-3 in AZ Instructional League game action Friday afternoon on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.

Kevin Alcantara tripled, walked, and scored two runs and Peter Matt laced a two-run single, walked, and stole a base for the Cubs in a losing cause.

The game was pre-planned as a seven-inning contest. The Rockies canceled yesterday's game at Salt River Fields because they didn't have enough pitchers available to play a game.

Here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only):

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Kevin Alcantara, RF: 1-3 (K, BB, 4-3, 3B, 2 R)
2. Ezequiel Pagan, CF: 1-4 (F-8, F-8, 2B, 5-3, RBI)
3. Peter Matt, 3B: 1-3 (F-9, 1B, BB, 4-3, 2 RBI, SB)
4. Bryce Ball, 1B: 0-3 (5-3, P-4, K)
5a. Moises Ballesteros, C: 0-2 (F-8, 4-3)
5b. Miguel Fabrizio, C: 0-1 (K)
6. Reggie Preciado, DH: 1-2 (BB, 1B, F-9)
7. Yeison Santana, SS: 0-2 (5-3, BB, K)
8. Frank Hernandez, LF: 1-3 (1B, F-9, 6-3)
9. Liam Spence, 2B: 0-3 (4-6 FC, K, K, R)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Michael McAvene: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 2/2 GO/AO, 33 pitches (22 strikes)
2. Daniel Palencia: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 3 WP, 0/1 GO/AO, 36 pitches (22 strikes)
3. Luis Devers: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 4/2 GO/AO, 31 pitches (23 strrikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 1
RF Kevin Alcantara: E-9 (dropped fly ball in RF corner allowing batter to reach 3rd base safely)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Moises Ballesteros: 0-2 CS, 1 PB

ATTENDANCE: 18

WEATHER: Sunny and a bit breezy with temperatures in the 80's

Arizona
Scoring
Service

"Just because it isn't official doesn't mean it didn't happen"

Tags:

Cubs AZ Instructional League game report

Kevin Alcantara

Peter Matt

Comments

If Matt is "not horrible" at

Submitted by tim815 on Fri, 10/15/2021 - 10:06pm Permalink

If Matt is "not horrible" at third, that could be useful.

TIM: Peter Matt looks very

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 10/16/2021 - 5:05pm Permalink

TIM: Peter Matt looks very comfortable at 3B. He is a classic "four-corner" guy (1B-3B-LF-RF).

Cool. Should help his trade

Submitted by tim815 on Sat, 10/16/2021 - 7:15pm Permalink

Cool. Should help his trade value if the bat plays.

Phil, tell me about Frank

Submitted by Hagsag on Sat, 10/16/2021 - 5:15am Permalink

Phil, tell me about Frank Fernandez.

Not Phil, but I think this

Submitted by Wrigley Rat on Sat, 10/16/2021 - 12:53pm Permalink

HAGSAG - Not Phil, but I think this info was from him in the past:

RHP/OF (signed as a two-way player - seems to be sticking with hitting for now), R/R, 5'11 180, Age 18, SPAIN

The 18-year old Hernandez (he turns 19 next month) was the star (OF & RHP) of the Spanish 18U team that played for the World Cup in South Korea last summer, and he is the first player ever signed by the Cubs out of Spain. He has been assigned to DSL Cubs Blue (Future Service Contract - signed 2020 contract) and is being officially carried as a pitcher on the DSL Cubs Blue roster, although he was signed as a "two-way player."

NOTE: Hernandez was signed prior to January 1st so he can be carried as a "Future Services Player" (and thus not count against the DSL Cubs Blue reserve list limit until DSL Opening Day). Although Hernandez was signed about a month ago, the filing of his contract and the required approval by MLB was delayed because the MLB office was closed for two weeks over Christmas - New Year's.

At just 18 years old, Hernandez is still very raw, but he does have some professional experience playing for the Spanish 18 and under international team the past two years where he played both outfield and pitcher. What people don't realize about this signing, is that to be signed by a stateside team, you must have been a standout start at your previous organization. That means Hernandez had to turn heads during his international team run. Right now, there is so much information to sort out regarding Hernandez and what his long-term fit will be with the Cubs. Currently, he is listed as a pitcher on the Dominican Summer League roster, which is what it looks like the Cubs are targeting him to be right now. However, the signing was because of his ability to be a tremendous two-way talent, so I am sure, at some point during the summer, we will get a chance to see not only his arm but his bat.

Not only is he just 18 years of age, but the Cubs can explore with him early on to see what he projects long term. Whether he proves pitching is his true calling or playing in the outfield will take a lot of work, but the Cubs will certainly have some options with him and could certainly use him in different ways.