It’s been an exciting week as the Cubs’ system went 20-5 this week, which is just amazing! Today’s action was just like the rest of the week, nonstop fun! In fact, all four affiliates won today. I was really impressed with Myrtle Beach’s 5-0 win over Charleston as that team has given them fits this year and Charleston basically stomped the dirt with Myrtle Beach three of the first four games of the series before the Pelicans came back to win the last two and get a split.

Web Gem of the Day

I don’t think I’ve ever seen too many catches with a full extension like Cole Roederer did in this beauty below.

Hitter of the Day

When I sat down to watch South Bend at 1 o’clock, I was pretty excited to see a couple things. One was that Owen Caissie was on a bit of a hot streak. The other was that Matt Mervis had been too. Unfortunately, Mervis, unfortunately, did not play today but Caissie did and he went three-for-four. However, Owen was not the star of the day. Hitter of the Day belongs to Jake Washer who went 3-for-4, drove in 3 runs, hit a HR, but fell a triple short of a cycle.

Starting Pitcher of the Day

Matt Swarmer is the most underrated pitcher in the Cubs’ system. Since last July, he’s been outstanding at Iowa. Today was no different as he went five innings, gave up just two hits, did not allow a run, and struck out five. If he had thrown a no-hitter this week, he easily would’ve been this week’s Pitcher of the Week as he wound up striking out 15 batters over 10.2 innings this week. All he needs is a 40-man spot and I’m wondering if the Cubs are going to give him a look at some point in the next couple of months.

Reliever of the Day

This award starting to get a little tough. We are at that point in the year where most starting pitchers are fully stretched out. There are a few guys here and there that are still on low pitch counts, but they are few and far between. Today seemed to be a day where most relievers came in and got the job done and did so with a little fanfare. With three teams playing early this afternoon, I had to sit and wait to see if someone with top Ben Leeper’s one inning and 2 strikeout performance.

And they did!

I always thought that Tyler Santana should’ve been a starter to begin the season. Today, he threw four innings for Myrtle Beach and struck out six piggybacking for Luke Little. Santana is starting to work in a slider that he still is trying to find some control with, unlike his curveball which is of the classic 12 to 6 variety. It was his best outing of the season by far.

Overall, it was a great day for the Cubs system and we don’t get those too often. But I would like to remind you that Reggie Preciado is quietly going about his business and producing at a high-level this month. He’s hitting .294 for the month which is much improved from April when he looked overmatched. He starting to settle in.

Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves to have patience with these teenagers and sometimes people forget that Caissie, Triantos, and Preciado are just teenagers. Patience, padawans, patience.

I will be back in the morning with “The Breakdown.”