Now that minor league season is officially underway, let’s dig deeper into the lowest level of the system when the Myrtle Beach Pelicans kick off their season at 6:05 CT against the Charleston RiverDogs on Friday, April 8th.
Roster*
C- Miguel Fabrizio, Ethan Hearn, Malcolm Quintero
1B-Â Felix Stevens
2B- James Triantos, Yeison Santana
3B- Reginald Preciado, BJ Murray
SS- Liam Spence, Yeison Santana
OF- Pete Crow-Armstrong, Peter Matt, Ezequiel Pagan, Jacob Wetzel
SP- Luis Devers, Tyler Schlaffer, Richard Gallardo, Luke Little, Adam Laskey, Jose Miguel Gonzalez, Porter Hodge,Â
RP- Frankie Scalzo Jr., Riley Martin, Johzan Oquendo, Walker Powell, Sheldon Reed, Jake Reindl, Luis Angel Rodriguez, Tyler Santana, Chase Watkins, Jarod WrightÂ
*This roster is subject to change by opening day
Biggest Storyline
 If you haven’t heard about the man, the myth, and the legend, James Triantos, where have you been? Triantos put up legendary numbers in the Virginia high school ranks that led the Cubs to draft him in the second round of the 2021 MLB draft. He’s a bat first infielder that will primarily play second base and a little third. He might be one of the most hyped up prospects to take the field this year, and if his bat can live up to the hype, Triantos could be a top 100 prospect in next year’s lists.Â
Also, keep an eye out for the rest of the 2021 Cubs draft class that will be feature three arms in the bullpen, Frankie Scalzo Jr., Chase Watkins, and Riley Martin. Already, all three of the arms have threw in Myrtle Beach after being drafted last year to some success. I expect this Scalzo Jr., Watkins, and Martin to pitch often in the backend of the bullpen with lots of success until a promotion at some point this year.Â
What to Watch
In recent memory, the lower levels of the Cubs system have always been the most talented and exciting, but this 2022 Myrtle Beach team might be the most special. Between the teenagers James Triantos, Reggie Preciado, Cristian Hernandez, Kevin Alcantara, and Ismael Mena who will all play in Myrtle Beach at some point this year, the Pelicans could have 5+ future top 100 prospects in all of baseball and one already in Cristian Hernandez whenever he is called up. I suspect there are going to be a lot of 7,8,9 run ball games this year, and we might surprisingly see a ton of offensive production in Myrtle Beach.
Most Likely to be Promoted First
Besides the plethora of young talent in Myrtle Beach, there are also a lot of holdovers from the 2021 Myrtle Beach team. Some of older the bats like Jacob Wetzel, Ethan Hearn, Yeison Santana, Liam Spence, or Peter Matt could all wind up having a fast promotion if they get off to a hot start. However, if I had to guess on which Myrtle Beach Pelican gets the first promotion, I would guess Tyler Schlaffer. Schlaffer started 9 games for the Pelicans during the 2021 season and his stuff is South Bend ready. The rotations in the system are just clogged with talented starting pitching, but as soon as a spot is open in South Bend, Schlaffer has a shot to throw for the South Bend Cubs.
Feature photo of Tyler Schlaffer by Stephanie Lynn (@SRL590)
Pretty funny Gallardo ended up the youngest pitcher on staff the second year in a row. Tidy up, get some Ks, and get out of dodge by asap
Oquendo, Devers, and Luis Rodriguez have done some interesting stuff too along with Schlaffer and the 2021 draftee RP group, though obvy I think Gallardo’s the potential whale on this staff
I expect Triantos to hit, he’s fine for this level. Preciado’s maybe a little more mysterious but there was some positive stuff on him playing some 2B during ST, helps a little bit if he can defend…Murray could be a better Nwogu, raw 22 YO college player with offensive tools and some approach..Hearn’s going to be the best defensive catcher in the org with Amaya out, has some approach and pedigree behind him…Seems like a better offense than last year which should help the pitchers…Looking forward to these full season lower minors squads, big year!