Players of the Day for August 23, 2022 – South Bend Gets It Done with Pitching while the Smokies Struggled and Kilian Deals

Caleb Kilian – Picture by Dylan Heuer/Iowa Cubs

After what basically seemed like two nights off of baseball, the minor leagues were back at it tonight and Tennessee and South Bend could not have had more different games in their pursuit of a playoff berth.

Tennessee‘s weakness all year has been the inconsistent pitching of both their starters and the relievers. tonight it was more of the same as they gave up double digit runs against Rocket City who had a one game lead over the Smokies heading into the night. Oof!

Meanwhile, South Bend won their sixth game in a row over West Michigan thanks in part to piggyback starter Joe Nahas who went three scoreless innings and struck out three batters. For his efforts today, Joe is going to get our Reliever of the Day award. 

Kudos and Honorable Mention also goes out to Sheldon Reed who pitched a scoreless 10th inning and left the ghost runner stranded on second. Sheldon has now thrown five scoreless games in a row in relief for South Bend.

After struggling his first month and a half at high A South Bend, Sheldon Reed has been on fire all of August. Tonight was his fifth Straight scoreless appearance and he did it in the 10th inning. Straight up gas! pic.twitter.com/0G2mEcZpzI

— Todd ⚾️🐻🦌 (@CubsCentral08) August 24, 2022

Pics of the Day

These are just beautiful!

Welcome to the @iowacubs, Alexander Canario.

In his first AAA at-bat, he knocks a single and scored a run later in the inning. pic.twitter.com/tTPQAWSNx5

— Dylan Heuer (@dylan_heuer) August 24, 2022

Starting Pitcher of the Day

This was one of the easiest ones I’ve done in a while.

Caleb Kilian went five innings and only gave up three hits and two walks. He struck out seven and held the Saint Paul Saints scoreless as Iowa cruised to victory. Kilian threw 84 pitches, 47 for strikes on the night. It didn’t seem like he was ever in trouble at any point, even with a runner on second. That’s how much in control he looked.

Web Gem of the Day

Whoever said that catchers aren’t athletic never met Bryce Windham.

Will. He. Get. There?#Cubs prospect Bryce Windham is able to snare the bunt attempt on an athletic play for @smokiesbaseball. pic.twitter.com/0WeseevmjU

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 24, 2022

Debut of the Day

No, it is not Alexander Canario. That would have been cool if it was. And, no, it is not Javier Assad even though he did have a nice MLB debut. Instead it is Nick Hull, a 2022 Cubs draft pick who picked up the win in today’s final ACL game.

Hitter of the Day

Nelson Maldonado went 2-for-4 with a 3 run jack for the Smokies but it wasn’t enough as they lost 16-7 to the Trash Pandas.

Nelson Maldonado with a huge 3-run HR to bring the Smokies to within a run at 8-7. pic.twitter.com/ywZo4J85L2

— Jordan Miller (@Miller_MiLB) August 24, 2022

I will be back in the morning with a Draft Pick Profile of Brody McCullough who debuted Saturday in the ACL.