Inside The Cubs

Chicago Cubs Farm Report: Top Prospects Heating Up

Strong pitching and home runs lead to more wins for the Chicago Cubs minor league affiliates on their roller-coaster seasons.

Regina Ham

Chicago Cubs Farm Report: Top Prospects Heating Up
Chicago Cubs Farm Report: Top Prospects Heating Up /
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The Chicago Cubs minor league system seems to be mirroring their Major League parent club.  Its farm system went 6-0  on Saturday, 0-4 on Sunday, and 4-0 on Tuesday. If you're seeing a pattern, you're not the only one.  The pitching was consistent but now the offense is showing up. So here's how each team is faring.

Transactions

A quick look at the transactions in the affiliates. Right-handed pitcher Daniel Palencia was promoted to Triple-A Iowa Cubs from Double-A Tennessee Smokies. Left-hand pitcher Didier Vargas was promoted to High-A South Bend from Single-A Myrtle Beach. Right-handed pitcher Brad Deppermann, most recently of South Bend, voluntarily retired.

Iowa Cubs (AAA)

Chicago's Triple-A squad is having a good start through 43 games. Sitting with a record of 26-17, they're first in the International League West. They've had a couple of great pitching performances and a couple of home runs so let's look at some individuals who might soon catch the eye of Chicago's manager Dave Ross. 

Third baseman Jake Slaughter is one to watch as he's having a strong season with Iowa thus far. In his most recent outing, he went 1-4 with a walk, two runs batted in and his ninth homer so far this year. It was a beauty of a home run.

Right-handed starter Caleb Killian went five innings, gave up one earned run on three hits, two walks, and struck out six. He improves to 3-0 and the six strikeouts were a season-high. Their bullpen also sealed the win. Brendan Little, Tyler Duffey, Bailey Horn, and Manuel Rodríguez each pitched one scoreless inning to close this game out. Rodríguez got his International League-leading eighth save.

Tennessee Smokies (AA)

The Tennessee Smokies had the highest-scoring win in the system on Tuesday, shutting down the Birmingham Barons 7-5. They improve to 22-18 and sit first in the Southern League North. 

It was a rough start to the game for right-handed starter Chris Kachmar. He gave up two solo home runs in the first inning. Kachmar’s final line was two runs on eight hits over three innings. He struck out five and walked no one. Pitching was no the saving grace of Tennessee.

That would be their offense and the Smokies fought back and took the lead in the bottom of the seventh.  Right fielder Cole Roederer batted a solid outing. He connected for his first home run of the year. 

Roederer went 2 for 4 with two RBI. He also scored two runs. Designated hitter Nelson Maldonado also added a solo home run of his own, making it number two on the season. 

South Bend Cubs (High-A)

Apologies for the pun but the South Bend Cubs slayed the Dayton Dragons 3-2 on Tuesday before falling 4-1 on Wednesday. They sit second with a record of 23-18 in the Midwest League West. 

In Wednesday's loss, starting right-handed Horton pitcher Cade Horton earned his first loss. In four innings pitched, he gave up two runs on four hits.  He also while issuing zero walks and punching out a career-high eight opposing hitters. Horton is Chicago's number-two prospect.

South Bend scored their lone run in the sixth inning after a leadoff double from Liam Spence got things started. Two batters later Ezequiel Pagan singled to cut the deficit to 4-1. 

Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single-A) 

Pardon another pun, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans took over the nests of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers 3-1. The win was the 2300th in the career of Pelicans manager Buddy Bailey. That’s the most of any active manager. They sit in the Carolina League East with a record of 20-20. 

Starting pitcher Grant Kipp did not allow a run over the first four innings. He allowed two hits and walked one while striking out four. Kipp hit one batter. 

The bat of first baseman Felix Stevens was the highlight of the night. All three Pelicans home runs came on a second-inning home run from him. It was Steven’s sixth home run this season. He went 2 for 3.

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Regina Ham
REGINA HAM

Regina Ham is an editor and writer for Inside the Cubs. As an alumna of the University of Maryland-College Park, she studied both broadcast and multimedia journalism. A six-year veteran of the sports industry, she's worked in radio, television, and online media. You can follow her on Twitter @regina_ham or Instagram @reginamariesports. Upon her undergraduate education, Regina went to work in 2016 for Sirius XM-Satellite Radio on College Sports Nation/ESPNU for two years. During her time in school, Regina interned at a variety of Washington, D.C.-area media organizations, including NBC Sports Washington and WTOP. There she assisted in coverage of local MLB and NHL teams. She also interned down at WAAY 31 in Huntsville, AL and worked on stories regarding the local Minor League Baseball affiliate and SEC football. Regina worked in international sports television for almost four years, covering sports from MLS to the KHL and the KBO. She joined Philly Sports Network in 2022 and covers both the Phillies and Philadelphia Flyers before joining the Sports Illustrated network in 2023. You can follow her on Twitter @Regina_ham or on Instagram @reginamariesports. If you have any questions or comments, she can be reached at regina.ham28@gmail.com.

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