Ed Howard Stars as Cubs Rally to Tie Giants at Instructs

Cubs 2020 1st round draft pick Ed Howard IV (Mt. Carmel HS - Chicago, IL) drilled a pinch-hit RBI double in his pro game debut and Jacob Wetzel (2020 NDFA - Frederick CC) laced an RBI triple and scored on a Fabian Pertuz RBI single in his pro game debut, as the Cubs rallied to tie the Giants 5-5 in AZ Instructional League Opening Day game action Wednesday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Rob Emery belted a three-run HR and Marco Luciano followed with a monster solo shot (both off Cubs SP Cory Abbott) to give the Giants an early 4-0 lead, before the Cubs came roaring back in the late innings.  

Besides Howard and Wetzel, three other Cubs made their pro game debut on Wednesday. LF Jordan Nwogu (2020 3rd round pick - U. of Michigan) reached base on an HBP in his first pro AB and later scored from 1st base on the Wetzel triple, 1B Matt Mervis (2020 NDFA - Duke) drew a walk in his first pro AB and later scored on the Howard RBI double, and RHRP Ben Leeper (2020 NDFA - Oklahoma State) threw one inning in relief. 
The game was called after eight innings of play. 

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

CUBS LINEUP
1a. Edmond Americaan, CF: 0-3 (K, K, K)  
1b. Jacob Wetzel, CF: 1-2 (3B, K, R, RBI)
2a. Andy Weber, SS: 2-3 (2B, 1B, 5-3) 
2b. Fabian Pertuz, SS: 1-2 (1B, K, RBI)
3a. Christopher Morel, 3B: 1-3 (P-2, 1B, 5-3) 
3b. Luis Verdugo, 3B: 0-1 (L-7 DP)
4a. Jared Young,1B: 0-2 (1-3, F-8)
4b. Matt Mervis, 1B: 0-1 (BB, F-8, R) 
5a. Chase Strumpf, 2B: 1-2 (1B, K, R)
5b. Luis Vazquez, 2B: 0-2 (6-3, 4-3)
6a. Alfonso Rivas, DH: 0-0 (BB, BB, R)
6b. Ed Howard IV, PH-DH: 1-1 (2B, BB, RBI)
7a. Nelson Velazquez, RF: 0-2 (1-3, 6-4 FC) 
7b. Yohendrick Pinango, RF: 1-2 (4-3, 1B+E4)
8a. Cam Balego, C: 1-2 (1B, 5-3, RBI)
8b. Bryce Windham, C: 0-2 (K, F-7)
9a. Yonathan Perlaza, LF: 1-2 (6-3, 1B, RBI, SB)
9b. Jordan Nwogu, LF: 0-1 (HBP, K, R) 

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Cory Abbott: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 4 K, 2 HR, 1 WP, 1/4 GO/AO, 68 pitches (38 strikes)
2. Ben Leeper: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 26 pitches (17 strikes)  
3. Peyton Remy: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 1/3 GO/AO, 54 pitches (35 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: 2 
1. SS Andy Weber - E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2. P Cory Abbott - E-1 (errant throw on pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 2nd) 

ATTENDANCE: 0  

WEATHER: Hot & breezy with temperatures 100+ 

Arizona 
Scoring
Service 

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

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

nice, we dont have to hear about the creation of "The AZPhil Rule" a week from now because you watched a game.

also, it's nice that c.morel and l.verdugo are getting work.  hell, it's nice all those guys are getting work.  it's rough that so many in the low minors have been hobbled by this 2020 stuff.

AZPhil, thank you for these updates! It's a nice little pick me up during this dumb year. If you have anything to say on Yohendrick Pinango, Joel Machado, Rafael Morel, or Richard Gallardo, I would love to hear it! Thanks again!

Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info


40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus three are on the 60-DAY IL

26 players are on the MLB ACTIVE LIST, plus three are on the 15-DAY IL, two are on the 10-DAY IL, and nine are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors  

Last updated 6-7-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Adbert Alzolay
Javier Assad
Jeremiah Estrada
Michael Fulmer
Kyle Hendricks
* Brandon Hughes
Mark Leiter Jr 
Julian Merryweather
Michael Rucker
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele 
Marcus Stroman
Jameson Taillon 
Hayden Wesneski

CATCHERS: 3 
Miguel Amaya
* Tucker Barnhart 
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 6
Nico Hoerner
* Miles Mastrobuoni 
* Matt Mervis
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4 
# Ian Happ
Trey Mancini 
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman

OPTIONED: 9
Keven Alcantara, OF 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Ryan Jensen, P 
Caleb Kilian, P  
Nick Madrigal, INF 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Nelson Velazquez, OF

10-DAY IL: 2 
* Cody Bellinger, OF 
* Edwin Rios, 1B 

15-DAY IL: 3 
Brad Boxberger, P 
Nick Burdi, P  
* Justin Steele, P 

60-DAY IL: 3 
Codi Heuer, P 
Ethan Roberts, P
Adrian Sampson, P 

 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents