Happy Complex League Opening Day!!!!!!!!!!!! In 3.5 hours, the Dominican Summer League will begin play. Later tonight, the Arizona Complex League begins its season. I will be covering the Dominican Summer League on a weekly basis every Sunday afternoon. And our own Rich Biesterfield will be recapitulating what happens in Mesa this summer with words and photographs.

By the Numbers

Now that we’re two months into the season, let’s take a look at some of the statistical leaders in the Cubs system in a number of pitching and hitting categories. 

Starting Pitching

Strikeouts – Ben Brown -70
ERA – Jackson Ferris 0.64
K/9 – Michael Arias 13.99
K/BB – Manny Espinoza 10.50
Batting Average Against – Jackson Ferris .135

We’re just not gonna have one guy dominate all the statistics this year. And that’s a good thing because it shows the depth of pitching the cup tap. A year from now, there is contaminate everything. He’s only getting three and he’s a start right now and that’ll probably be stretched for here in the next couple of weeks, because it of his young age, I Cubs are going to be very careful and getting him up to 80 pitches of game.

Relievers

ERA – Kevin Valdez – 1.32
Strikeouts – Luke Little 42
K/9 – Riley Martin 15.21
K/BB – Saul Gonzalez 7.00
Batting Average Against – Kevin Valdez .068

Interesting thing about these leaders is Valdez is on the injured list. I was surprised to see Riley Martin have the highest strike out to walk ratio of anybody in the minors.

Hitting – Qualified ABs only 3.1 ABs per game

HRs – Owen Caissie – 11
RBI – Jake Slaughter 43
SB – PCA and Brad Beesley – 12
Avg. – Yonathan Perlaza – .312
OPS – Brad Beesley .961
wRC+ – Beesley 167

Last year, we had two guys hit over 35 home runs. I don’t think we’re going to have that this year, but we could have a few guys hit 25 and it will be interesting to see how much a Owen Caissie matures in the second half. It’ll be interesting to see if the Cubs actually give Perlaza, a shot in Chicago at some point this summer. And I know most of you were just wondering how Bradley Beasley is leading three categories. He’s just getting on base and hitting doubles and triples. That’s it.

Quote of the Week

This bodes well for Brennen Davis

Hitter of the Week

Pete Crow-Armstrong had himself a week. He hit .360 with a .448 OBP and an OPS of 1.248. He hit three homers and drove in 8, tops in the system for both this week!

Starting Pitcher of the Week

Cade Horton threw four innings, and did not give up an earned run earlier this week. In addition, he struck out nine guys in a vicious fashion.

Reliever of the Week

Johzan Oquendo has been ridiculous the past two weeks. Just this past week, he continued to shove with 3.1 IP and 8 Ks. No runs allowed.

The Playoff Hunt

There are just three weeks left in the first half.

Iowa – 31-23 – ½ game back of St. Paul.

Tennessee – 28-23 – ½ game lead on Chattanooga

South Bend – 26-25 – 4 games back of Cedar Rapids. They’d also have to leapfrog over Quad Cities to get there. They have the pitching. It’s about the bats.

Myrtle Beach – 29-22 – They are tied for first after their recent run the past two weeks. The starting pitching and bullpen are encindido!