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bedsitter23Time for a post about the late season Iowa Cubs. I happened to catch a couple of late season games. The Iowa Cubs finished in last place and were not a very good team, but as the reason why is that the Chicago Cubs are filled with young talent, that is not something to worry about. Triple A baseball, despite the name, is generally as not important as Double A in promoting young talent. There are veterans and journeymen here like former Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan. That said, there was a nice story in David Bote leading this team and getting the call up, so that will be the likely highlight of this season. I caught a 9-6 loss to Las Vegas and a 9-3 victory against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Your late season Iowa Cubs feature:
Mark Zagunis- Zagunis would be considered the closest thing to a star on this team. His biggest issue is that the Cubs are so loaded that he just doesn't have much of an opportunity at this point. he played well in both games- 2RBIs against Vegas and 1 against the Sox.
Trevor Clifton- By coincidence, Clifton actually started both of these games. In recent years, Clifton was considered one of the Cubs best pitching prospects. His stock has fallen though through this year. He only made it to the fifth inning in both games, getting hammered by the 51s, but doing a bit better against the Sx.
Jason Vosler- Like many of his Cubs teammates, Vosler can play a multitude of positions. He played most of the year at AA getting the late season call-up. He looked good in both games- an RBI against Vegas and a 3-run Homer against the Sox. He is considered one of the best Cubs prospects at hitting the long ball. Vosler could be the real deal.
Jacob Hanneman- Hanneman didn't do much in the batter's box in either game, but is known as one of the best fielders in the league. Hanneman played 11 games with the Mariners last year.
Rob Zastryzny - Rob looked lights out in 2 innings in the game I saw against the Las Vegas 51s. He no hit them in those two innings and the Cubs were almost able to climb back in that one.Zastryzny played a few games at Chicago in that World Series run in 2016.
In the Vegas game, the Cubs were outmatched (more about that later). Trey Martin had a good game though, scoring three of the 6 runs. He went 2-4 and had a stolen base. Stephen Bruno likewise could be proud of going 3 for 5 with a double.
Against the Sky Sox (the affiliate of the rival Milwaukee Brewers), the Cubs actually faced a major league pitcher on a rehab assignment,Zack Davies ( Christian Bethancort wasthe only other named I recognized in the Sky Sox lineup). They knocked Davies around though. This game was exciting for the Iowa debut of Terrence Gore. Gore was acquired for the roster in time for playoffs to be a speedster at Chicago and he is fast. Although Clifton started, Kyle Ryan was easily the star of the game. Ryan got the win for 3 1/3 inings which he gave up no runs, no walks, and only 2 hits, while striking out five. Bruno was also great at bat at this game too. Going 3 for 4 with a walk, two doubles and 2 RBIs. Chris Gimenez already contributed by going 2 for 5 with a Double and a RBI.
As an aside, I may be an Iowa Cubs fan, but I am a lifelong New York Mets fan, so seeing the 51s was something I looked forward to. They played four games, but I was only able to make one. The 51s rarely played the Cubs and now, the Mets are moving the team to Syracuse, I probably won't ever see them again. (Interestingly, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox has called it a day, moving to San Antonio)
I was looking forward to seeing Peter Alonso who appears to be the future of the Mets at first base. Alonso did not called up to the Mets this year but his time is imminent. Equally, Dominic Smith who has been considered the future of the franchise but has had some shaky time at the major league level. He is working on his swing and also trying to play some outfield to find his niche with the team. Lastly, Ty Kelly who played significant time with the team in a utility-man position. They all hit home runs in the game I watched.
There was also Matt Den Dekker who spent time in Center Field in New York but couldn't get his batting together. He went 1 for 5, so was still struggling for contact. I also noticed the speedy Jack Reinheimer who had a stolen base and is getting some late season bench time in Queens and Patrick Kivlehan who got a late season trade when the Arizona Diamondbacks needed to fill an outfielder position from an injury.
I also was excited to see Gershon Bautista in relief. Bautista was in the trade with Addison Reed, and can throw 100 miles per hour and he did while I watched them.
Your late season Iowa Cubs feature:
Mark Zagunis- Zagunis would be considered the closest thing to a star on this team. His biggest issue is that the Cubs are so loaded that he just doesn't have much of an opportunity at this point. he played well in both games- 2RBIs against Vegas and 1 against the Sox.
Trevor Clifton- By coincidence, Clifton actually started both of these games. In recent years, Clifton was considered one of the Cubs best pitching prospects. His stock has fallen though through this year. He only made it to the fifth inning in both games, getting hammered by the 51s, but doing a bit better against the Sx.
Jason Vosler- Like many of his Cubs teammates, Vosler can play a multitude of positions. He played most of the year at AA getting the late season call-up. He looked good in both games- an RBI against Vegas and a 3-run Homer against the Sox. He is considered one of the best Cubs prospects at hitting the long ball. Vosler could be the real deal.
Jacob Hanneman- Hanneman didn't do much in the batter's box in either game, but is known as one of the best fielders in the league. Hanneman played 11 games with the Mariners last year.
Rob Zastryzny - Rob looked lights out in 2 innings in the game I saw against the Las Vegas 51s. He no hit them in those two innings and the Cubs were almost able to climb back in that one.Zastryzny played a few games at Chicago in that World Series run in 2016.
In the Vegas game, the Cubs were outmatched (more about that later). Trey Martin had a good game though, scoring three of the 6 runs. He went 2-4 and had a stolen base. Stephen Bruno likewise could be proud of going 3 for 5 with a double.
Against the Sky Sox (the affiliate of the rival Milwaukee Brewers), the Cubs actually faced a major league pitcher on a rehab assignment,Zack Davies ( Christian Bethancort wasthe only other named I recognized in the Sky Sox lineup). They knocked Davies around though. This game was exciting for the Iowa debut of Terrence Gore. Gore was acquired for the roster in time for playoffs to be a speedster at Chicago and he is fast. Although Clifton started, Kyle Ryan was easily the star of the game. Ryan got the win for 3 1/3 inings which he gave up no runs, no walks, and only 2 hits, while striking out five. Bruno was also great at bat at this game too. Going 3 for 4 with a walk, two doubles and 2 RBIs. Chris Gimenez already contributed by going 2 for 5 with a Double and a RBI.
As an aside, I may be an Iowa Cubs fan, but I am a lifelong New York Mets fan, so seeing the 51s was something I looked forward to. They played four games, but I was only able to make one. The 51s rarely played the Cubs and now, the Mets are moving the team to Syracuse, I probably won't ever see them again. (Interestingly, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox has called it a day, moving to San Antonio)
I was looking forward to seeing Peter Alonso who appears to be the future of the Mets at first base. Alonso did not called up to the Mets this year but his time is imminent. Equally, Dominic Smith who has been considered the future of the franchise but has had some shaky time at the major league level. He is working on his swing and also trying to play some outfield to find his niche with the team. Lastly, Ty Kelly who played significant time with the team in a utility-man position. They all hit home runs in the game I watched.
There was also Matt Den Dekker who spent time in Center Field in New York but couldn't get his batting together. He went 1 for 5, so was still struggling for contact. I also noticed the speedy Jack Reinheimer who had a stolen base and is getting some late season bench time in Queens and Patrick Kivlehan who got a late season trade when the Arizona Diamondbacks needed to fill an outfielder position from an injury.
I also was excited to see Gershon Bautista in relief. Bautista was in the trade with Addison Reed, and can throw 100 miles per hour and he did while I watched them.
