Porter Hodge – Picture By South Bend Cubs

Well, before we get to tonight’s awards, there’s some housekeeping that needs to be done regarding transactions and a signing.

Transactions

Jake Washer was moved today from South Bend to Tennessee. I’m really happy for Jake as he’s worked extremely hard this year to improve after adding a lot of muscle in the offseason. He earned the move up and I said so the other day.

Sadly, catcher and infielder Cam Balego was released by the Cubs. Cam is a good guy who was considered one of the best teammates in the system. It just didn’t happen for him at Double-A. Everyone here at North Side Bound wishes him the best of luck in whatever happens next.

It was announced by the Pelicans yesterday the Richard Gallardo would be heading to South Bend. Today, Minor League Baseball made it official on the transaction wire and Gallardo’s 450 days day at the Grand Strand are now over. He is still just 20 years old and at High-A, which is impressive in and of itself. We’ll see what he can do.

The Signing

Nazier Mule did not technically sign today, he did that yesterday and posted pictures of it on Instagram. Today, the Cubs released his signing bonus at $1 million. That leaves $3 million to go sign second round pick Jackson Ferris and maybe a little bit to sign one of either JP Wheat or Blake Blatter. Look for a quick resolution now that all the money has been set aside for Ferris.

Poll of the Day

I took this poll this afternoon to see what combination people would like to have the Cubs sign and it was overwhelming to them wanting Jackson Ferris and either one of Blatter or Wheat. Remember that Dan Kantrowitz said that the Cubs could sign 18 or 19 of them, that is probably going to hold to be true here in the next couple of days. After that, you should begin to see some nondrafted free agent signings start to roll in for the Cubs.

Now to the action on the field. 

Starting Pitcher of the Day

It was a good night to be a starting pitcher for a while. Luke Little was again solid for Myrtle as he went 3.2 innings with 6 while allowing 1 hit and no runs. Chris Clarke had a decent outing in Tennessee as he went 5 frames with a run and 4 Ks. Even Sean Newcombe had a good night in his first I-Cub start as he struck 8 in 4 innings while allowing 1 run.

But the winner of tonight’s award was Porter Hodge at South Bend. He went 5 innings and struck out 10 batters on the night.His slider looked unhittable…well, he did strike out ten using it.

Fun Fact of the Day

Hitter of the Day

Narciso Crook of Iowa had a good day again going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI. No award, though. Ezequiel Pagan of Myrtle Beach went 2-for-5 on the night with a go ahead 2 run double in the ninth. But tonight’s award goes to Kevin Alcantara who drove in 3 runs for the Pelicans in their 8-4 win while going 2-for-4 and he also drew a walk. He’s been on a nice run lately. He leads the system in RBI in July with 22 and there are three games left.

Reliever of the Day

As good of a day as it was for starting pitchers, relievers did not fare the same. Angel Hernandez of Myrtle Beach wound up tonight’s Reliever of the Day. He went 1.2 scoreless innings and 4 of his outs came via the strikeout!

I will be back tomorrow with a look ahead to what is happening in August and on Saturday I will have a profile on Christopher Paciolla. Greg Zumach will have a top secret article out later today. Make sure and check that out!