Yesterday Afternoon

Looks like Moises Ballesteros let it slip on Instagram he was headed to South Bend. The “official” transaction should be out shortly.

Last Night

This is a great sign to see Scott Kobos back pitching after a rough year and a half dealing with injuries. As for Duffy, not sure what this is. Should be a rehab stint.

As for Today

We are getting really close to the major movement Tuesday. That usually happens when the first half ends. But with the Smokies still in contention for a chance at a postseason opportunity this summer, the Cubs have held off moving anybody until Tennessee either locks up a spot or is eliminated. Heading into today, Myrtle Beach is in the post season while South Bend was eliminated.

As a result, we may not see a bunch of moves today, but there will be a few, maybe even some down at the Dominican as the Cubs fill out those rosters.

Based on the buzz on Twitter, Cubs fans are chomping at the bit for Pete Crow-Armstrong to head to Iowa, and with good reason! He’s ready! He’s improved his walk rate, cut down on strike outs, flashing big hits in big moments and he’s using his glove and speed to change the game. When he gets to Iowa, there might be some adjustment, but he will get through it quickly. He’s a really fast learner. Considering that all he does is talk about baseball, he will adjust fine.

When It Comes to Next Week…

Next week , I will be traveling back-and-forth between my house and Beloit almost every day. The Cubs are in town from South Bend for a six games, but they play from Wednesday the 28th through Monday the 3rd. When I arrive at the stadium around 4 o’clock to begin taking pictures on Wednesday, I am expecting to see five or six new Cubs that day. Parker Chavers and Felix Stevens should definitely be there. Brody McCullough, Grant Kipp, and/or Nick Hull could possibly be there and maybe even Johzan Oquendo, Saul Gonzalez, and/or Yovanny Cabrera might be suiting up in South Bend gray.

 As for who could move from South Bend, that’s a different story. Ezequiel Pagan is probably ready, James Triantos is close to being ready at the plate, but not as much in the field. The Cubs are working through a few things as he adjusts to second base. Most of the guys that are ready to move up from South Bend to Tennessee are pitchers. Connor Noland, and Brandon Birdsell should be good to go if called upon. Relievers Sheldon Reed, Adam Laskey, Jarod Wright, and possibly Frankie Scalzo, could be on their way to Double-A. It’s still quite a bit up in the air. Even Luis Devers is close to being ready for Tennessee after his last outing where he looked amazing in his third and fourth innings.

Moves Since Last Week

Iowa – Cam Sanders, Jake Washer, and Jordan Holloway to the Development List, Mervis and Estrada returned, Canario to Mesa Cubs on a rehab assignment
Tennessee – Jordan Nwogu activated from the 7 Day IL
Myrtle Beach – Yeison Santana was released
North Side Bound – Todd Johnson to the 7 Day IL with a detached right thumb naii.

Transaction Tweet of the Week

I put this out Sunday night. By Monday afternoon, it had come true!

You’re welcome!

I’ll be back around 10 AM with an update. It is grocery day for me, so I’ll be going out for breakfast and then driving to Rochelle. See you in a couple of hours. 

One More Thing

We do know that Michael Ryan is no longer the manager at Tennessee. Kevin Graber, the Cubs minor league field coordinator in Mesa, is filling in. It’s unclear if that is a permanent position for the second half or a temporary fix. Hopefully we get some clarification on that today or next week after the first half ends.

10:00 AM

C Dilan Granadillo assigned to South Bend Cubs from Tennessee Smokies.

South Bend Cubs transferred OF Christian Franklin to the Development List.

C David Avitia assigned from South Bend to Myrtle Beach

10: 15 AM

This should solve a lot of offensive problems for South Bend. Just plug these into the three and four spots and that will help take the pressure off of Kevin Alcantara and others to produce.

11:30 AM

I mowed the yard thinking that would spur some moves and it did not.

In about an hour to an hour and a half, I will be back as that is usually when Iowa and Myrtle Beach send out their emails.

I am expecting South Bend to announce “ALL” their moves via Twitter and then Tennessee is usually anywhere between four and game time. I will be checking in periodically throughout the afternoon.

11:31 AM

Sure, as soon I hit update, Casey Opitz gets promoted to Tennessee. Good for him!

2:00 PM

Pretty quiet out there. Iowa has not sent out their email yet.

2:25 PM

Iowa sent RHP Keegan Thompson to injured list and added RHP Cam Sanders from development list.

There could be a move or two later from Tennessee.

4:10 PM

Looks like Brailyn Marquez is headed the ACL to begin a rehab assignment and pitch in a game for the first time in over 3 years. Stephen Gonsalves is also joining him. Is this a big thing? We will see. I am trying to temper my expectations for Marquez. That might be a good thing and just let him get back in the swing of pitching again.