Busy week last week, busy week this week, and it looks like it is going to be a busy week next week. I can dig it.
.Let’s get right to the recaps and some awards.
Myrtle Beach 3-3
Even though the Pelicans were outscored 28-41, they still managed to win three games. The offense, at times, is showing that it has potential up and down the lineup. They just need to be more consistent on a daily basis, which is hard. We are starting to see life from Cristian Hernandez who hit .500 with a .571 OBP and an OPS of 1.488 this week.
The pitching is going to have to improve quickly. The Birds have 9 guys with an ERA of 9.00 or higher.
Birds Play of the Week
The rare inside the park dinger from Felix Stevens was a highlight this week.
South Bend 3-3
Getting down 1-3 in the series was not a good look for South Bend. Then they scored 19 runs in two day to knot it up 3-3 for the week and move into first place in the Western Division over Beloit and Cedar Rapids.
Kohl Franklin was great this week as was Connor Noland in the rotation along with Carlos Guzman and Joe Nahas out of the pen.
Meanwhile. hitters Haydn McGeary and Casey Opitz are tearing it up at the plate and putting themselves at the front of the line to go to Knoxville. Bradlee Beesley and DJ Artis are right behind.
On the mound, the Cubs have 11 guys with ERAs 3.00 and under this week. That’s amazing!
Murder of the Week
This ball was just demolished. It easily had to be over 450 feet.
Starting Pitcher of the Week
Kohl Franklin – South Bend – 4 IP, 1 hit, 7 Ks. That’ll do.
Tennessee 2-4
The week started out well and then fizzled as the Smokies failed to get some base runners on later in the week. Then again, the pitchers are struggling in the Southern League. The vaunted starting pitching was not so vaunted this week with only Ben Brown having an ERA under 5.00 this week. In fact, 3 of the Smokies five starting pitcher had ERAs well over 10.00.
Triple of the Week
Hitter of the Week
Let’s see….4 dingers, 9 RBI, and that damage was done by Owen Caissie of the Tennessee Smokies.
Yeah, he was hot this week.
Reliever of the Week
Bailey Horn – Tennessee Smokies – 3.2 IP, 8 Ks, 0 hits, 0 runs. That statline is going to win every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Iowa 2-2
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Welcome to the Midwest in April. 2 cancelled games put a damper on the week.
As for the games the I-Cubs are playing, it is Chris Morel’s month and he just continues to rake.
Affiliate of the Week
I am going with Myrtle Beach. They somehow won 3 games despite getting steamrolled in run differential!
Thanks Todd! Really enjoyed your perspective on South Bend! McGeary really impresses, watching him swing, it’s no wonder the ball just jumps off his bat! Is he prayerfully going to take precedence in Tennessee over Ball? How would you say his defense is at first? On a similar bent, Garriola seems equally as impressive at Myrtle Beach; is there a possibility he plays first at all, kinda being the guy behind McGeary in the first base pipeline? Also, do you see Aliendo getting promoted to Iowa before Amaya? Sorry for all the questions, really excited about so many of the prospects! Thanks again Todd!
McGeary works hard and takes extra grounders every day. I won’t see them in person again until mid May.
Garriola will be strictly DH/OF for now.
AMaya will go up first when he is ready. Pablo will probably be in Tennessee all year.
Awesome! I wonder how much different the team might look through promotions in those few short weeks until you see them again? Amaya went off today, Aliendo appears to really be playing great; seems catching is prayerfully turning into a strength in our system! Thanks Todd!