BA Top 20s: What you missed?

Well, Baseball America is a wonderful resource, when you are willing to subscribe to their site, otherwise you're stuck reading who is in the Top 20 only. A poster over at the message boards on InsideTheIvy.com, cubs08, is passing on some general information on the scouting reports of Cubs players and any relevant material from the question and answer sessions. Check it out, its certainly worth a read.

Please note, the poster is not passing on anything word for word from Baseball America, but just the overall notions that BA is describing about each player. Otherwise, I would not be linking the content, as it isn't fair to Baseball America.

Over at The Cub Reporter, AZ Phil has an analysis of the Cubs upcoming offseason moves, not the obligatory we should trade for X, and sign Y, but which minor leaguers will be added to the 40 man roster, which players will be minor league free agents, etc. To call his breakdown excellent is slighting the article.

Midwest League Top 20

Baseball America has released their Midwest League Top 20, a league stocked with talent, and the Peoria Chiefs, only had Donald Veal show up on the Top 20 list at #9. Veal went 5-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 14 starts for the Chiefs before being called up to the Daytona Cubs. Veal is likely to show up on the Florida State League Top 20 prospects, and most likely at a higher spot than 9 on the FSL list.

Staying with the BA trend, Alan Matthews has an interesting series of articles being posted, about his experience at Major League Baseball's scouting bureau development program. Matthews is passing on some great info about a scouts thinking process when looking at a player.

Finally, over at InsideTheIvy.com, Steve Holley has an article posted about Jose Ceda, and since I do not have a subscption to the full article, the teaser has me scratching my head. I shudder to think that Holley is comparing Ceda to Jose Mesa, any subscribers care to fill us in on what Jose they are comparing Ceda to?

Northwest League Top 20

Baseball America released their Northwest League Top 20, and 2 Boise Hawks made the list. Tyler Colvin was rated the #1 prospect, while Mark Pawelek was #9. On the front page of Baseball America, Colvin is compared to Shawn Green due to his 5 tool ability. Pawelek, was the top prospect last year of the Arizona League, but dropped to #9 this season, most likely to his slow start which was attributed to showing up to camp out of shape.

It is a little disappointing to not see Russ Canzler, Alfred Joseph, Jeremy Papelbon, or Bill Muldowney not making the list, but this is a prospect list, not a performance list.

For BA subscribers out there, you can check out scouting reports on Pawelek and Colvin, as well as access a chat this afternoon.

Minor League Hitter of the Year

InsideTheIvy.com announced this weekend that Jake Fox is their Cubs minor league hitter of the year. Fox had a nice season combined between AA and AAA, where he combined to hit 21 HRs while hitting .296.

Jacob Fox will most likely start the year at AA Tennessee next season, but if he duplicates his efforts this season he could see a callup next season.

Diamond Jaxx are No More

The Cubs have announced the end of a relationship with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, and have come to a new agreement with the Tennessee Smokies. The Tennessee Smokies play in Sevierville, Tennessee, close to Pigeon Forge, a local tourist attraction. Ultimately, this means absolutely nothing, as the Smokies play in the Southern League.

Over at Baseball America, as we reported a few days ago, the Top 20 prospects lists for each league are being released, and they have also released a schedule for each of the prospect lists. Here are the relavent dates for the Cubs organization:

• Arizona League -- DONE
• Northwest League -- September 27th
• Midwest League -- September 28th
• Florida State League -- October 2nd
• Southern League -- October 6th
• Pacific Coast League -- October 11th
  

Q and A with Matt Camp

The Cubs 13th Round selection in the 2006 draft, Matt Camp, did a Q and A session with InsideTheIvy.com. Camp is a gritty player that will take a pitch and do all of the things that you would as of a leadoff hitter. Camp discusses his first professional season, and the adjustments he is making in Instructional including playing some at second base and shortstop.

Notes: Missed this the other day, but it is one writer's take on the Top 3 prospects from each of the National League Central teams.

AZL Top 20 Prospects from BA

As they annually do, Baseball America has begun their Top 20 Prospects for each league. First was the Arizona League Top 20, and the Cubs only had one player on the list, #14 Jose Ceda. Ceda was acquired from San Diego in the Todd Walker trade, here are couple quick notes on Ceda:

• mid to high 90s fastball without a lot of movement
  
• has average curveball but rarely uses it
• lives and dies with the fastball
• big body which suggests durability
  

All in all, only 1 Cub making the list isn't too surprising, when looking at the AZL Cubs roster. It would have been nice to see Drew Rundle, Chris Huseby, or Cliff Andersen on the list, but none performed well enough consistently to make the list.

Winter League Action

With the minor league season ended, the content for this site has decreased quite a bit, and there have been some questions on the site and via email as to what this site will be dedicated to during the winter months. Luckily, baseball is now a year round sport including the Arizona Fall League, the Hawaiian Baseball League, and all of the Winter Baseball that is played in Central America. The Arizona Instructional League will get going this weekend, so Top Cubs Prospects will follow all of the Cubs prospects, and continue to give you the latest web content over the winter months.

On that note, InsideTheIvy.com has an article up about which Cubs' farmhands will be participating in Winter Ball. Of course topping that list is #2 prospect, Felix Pie.

As always, this site looks for suggestions from its readers, so please post a comment about a player to review, a topic to discuss, or anything else you see fit.

Update: There was a problem earlier that I corrected. The Arizona Fall League doesn't start this weekend, but Instructional Ball does. Over at The Cub Reporter, there is a pretty good summary of the Cubs representives in all the leagues with schedules for each as well.

Monday Morning Thoughts

With my Duke Blue Devils getting pummeled by 36, my Carolina Panthers losing to the Vikings 16-13, I thought I was having a tough weekend, until I read this. You've probably already heard the decision that Derrek Lee has made to sit out the rest of the season to be with his daughter. Lee's 3 year old daughter is suffering vision loss in one eye, which is certainly troubling, but far more troubling is what may be causing that vision loss. Lee will be in my prayers, I would encourage you to do the same.

On a lighter note, Rich Hill and Donald Veal were named Co-2006 Cubs Minor League Players of the Year over the weekend. Speaking of Rich Hill, what a gem he through on Saturday against the Reds, pitching the Cubs' first complete game of the season, allowing no runs, just 2 hits, 1 walk and striking out 10. As we have known here for some time, Hill is a lock for the rotation next year, while Sean Marshall, Juan Mateo, Carlos Marmol, and Angel Guzman will be battling for 1 or maybe two spots.

On Sunday the Cubs played lights out once again, beating the Reds 11-3 behind 6 homers, including 2 by Ryan Theriot, 1 by Matt Murton and another by Carlos Zambrano. With Theriot and Matt Murton as personal favorites of this site, it was a fun game to watch.

Shaver to have surgery

As always, InsideTheIvy.com has a great article up about Chris Shaver, and his impending surgery to have some bone spurs removed from his elbow.

Shaver went 7-10 with a 2.99 ERA at AA West Tennessee (and a cup of coffee at Daytona to start the season) this season and tallied a workman-like 159 IPs on the year. Shaver's manager for the D-Jaxx, Pat Listach described his arsenal in the following quote:

“He’s got a good fastball, 90 and up, and mixes it in with a slider that he throws into righties. He gets a lot of groundballs. He’s got really good endurance and can keep you in the game for seven or eight innings.”

Shaver's 2006 stats

What Could Have Been? Micah Owings

Let's take a look back at a player the Cubs went after but let get away in the 2004 draft.

Back in 2004, the Cubs took Micah Owings in the 19th round, as he was coming off of a decent season at Georgia Tech, going 9-3 with an ERA of 3.89 and hit 318/394/549. Eleven rounds earlier, the Cubs took Owings' college teammate, Eric Patterson. The Cubs were unable to sign Owings, but more on that later. The following season Micah Owings returned to college, although not to Georgia Tech as he transferred to Tulane where he went 12-3 and hit 355/470/719.

Owings had been a 2nd round pick back in 2002 by the Colorado Rockies out of high school, but just as he did the Cubs, he spurned the Rockies in lieu of college. Finally, after his junior season in college, Owings signed as a 3rd round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his professional debut in 2005, Owings went 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 16 games in relief at High A Lancaster.

This season Owings burst onto the prospect scene going 16-2 with an ERA of 3.33 combined between AA and AAA, and that includes going 10-0 after his promotion to AAA Tucson in the PCL, a noted hitters league. Despite focusing on pitching, Owings hitting hasn't fallen off much either, as he hit 356/361/508 in limited action.

Owings is an example of a using a later round selection on a guy that might sign if given a high enough signing bonus. In 2004, Owings wasn't seen as a priority to the Cubs organization once the trifecta of Eric Patterson, Mark Reed, and Mitch Atkins were given signing bonuses combined to about 1.1 million dollars.

Hawaiian Winter League Returns

After 10 years, the HWL returns to action this winter. The Cubs will be sending one player, reportedly, Scott Koerber. Koerber, 24, who is only 2 years removed from being a position player, went 5-4 with a 3.42 ERA in 38 games for Peoria this season. Koerber projects most likely as a LOOGY where he lefties hit just .148 against him (as opposed to .256 against Right handers).

Cubs Minor League Notes

• Yesterday, the Cubs announced their Instructional League Rosters. Of note are Mark Pawelek, Tyler Colvin, Russ Canzler, Ryan Harvey, Jose Ceda, among many others. Also joining, these names is 16 year old Venezuelan, Larry Suarez, who signed with the Cubs back in July. Play starts on September 22nd, but many players will report later this week.
  
• As mentioned here, Felix Pie will be headed to Arizona as well, but will not be playing in the Instructional League. Pie will work on his bunting in baserunning before heading to the Dominican Republic to play in the winter league.
• Last night in the Cubs 9-8 extra-inning win, Jae Kuk Ryu made an appearance in relief going 1.1 IP without giving up a run, while Scott Moore got his 2nd start of the season, this time at third. Moore 1-3 and is now 3-10 with a HR since being called up to the Cubs.
• While many Cubs prospects, will be fine tuning their skills this winter, one is getting hit instead of hitting. Jeff Samardzija is playing for the #2 football team in the land, Notre Dame, and currently has 12 catches for 130 yds and a TD for the Fighting Irish in the first 2 games this season.
  

Q & A with Josh Lansford

Over at InsideTheIvy.com, they have a Q & A with the Cubs' 6th rounder, Josh Lansford. Among topics discussed are his recent injury, the NWL champs, and instructional league, which starts at the end of this month.

Josh Lansford started out nicely this season, but tailed off at the end of the season, which is not uncommon for collegiate picks. Lansford needs to develop some power, but already has the plate discipline that so many Cubs fans are starting to covet.

Josh Lansford's 2006 stats

A Cast of Rookies

Baseball America addresses the Cubs' eight rookie pitchers that have taken the mound this season. In this edition of Ask BA, Rich Hill is given the nod, as expected, as the Cub most likely to succeed with Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol closely behind. They also give a mention to Donald Veal, and a possible callup in 2007 if he succeeds in double A early next year.

Minor League Playoff Report

9/8/06
Beloit 4 Peoria 3 - Jesus Valdez went 2-4 with a double Robinson Chirinos went 1-3 with a RBI, a walk, and 2 runs scored. On the mound, Jesse Estrada went 7 innings, giving up just 2 hits, 2 ERs, 4 walks, and struck out 5. Estrada left with the game tied, and Justin Rayborn (0-1) took the loss in relief. Closer, Matt Avery pitched an inning giving up just a walk. This loss ended Peoria's season, here's a recap from InsideTheIvy.com.

Salem-Keizer 5 Boise 0 - Jose Ceda (0-1) pitched poorly taking the loss, going 4.1 IP, giving up 7 hits, 5 ERs, 1 walk, and striking out 3. For the 19 year old, Ceda, it was only his 2nd start giving up a run since being acquired by the Cubs organization. At the plate, the Hawks managed only 3 hits, 2 of which were by Tyler Colvin, including a double.

9/9/06
Salem-Keizer 2 Boise 1 - Bill Muldowney pitched 5 innings, giving up 5 hits, 1 ER, 2 walks, and struck out 3, and Jason Ruhlman pitched 4.1 shutout innings giving up 3 hits, no walks and striking out 4, but it still wasn't enough for the normally high powered Hawks offense. Matt Camp went 2-4 with a stolen base and a RBI but Colvin, Canzler, Joseph, and Lansford combined to go 1-19 at the plate.

9/10/06
Salem-Keizer 6 Boise 4 - Five Boise Hawks had 2 hits, in their 13 hit attack, but the Hawks could still only manage a 4 run output in the 8th inning. Russ Canzler went 2-4 with 2 RBIs, and Tyler Colvin went 2-4 capping off a postseason where he hit .412. Jacob Renshaw (0-1) went 3 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 ERs, 3 walks, and striking out 4 in the loss. With the loss, the Boise Hawks season is over, losing the series 4-1.

Minor League Playoff Report

Peoria 6 Beloit 1 - Ryan Norwood went 3-4 with a RBI and a stolen base, while Valerio Heredia went 3-5 in the leadoff spot. Scott Taylor (1-0) earned the win going 7 innings, giving up 4 hits, 1 run, although it was unearned, and walked 2 while striking out 4. Closer, Matt Avery pitched the ninth and struck out the side. Peoria tied with Beloit 1-1

Boise 5 Salem-Keizer 1 - Russ Canzler went 3-4 with a double and his 1st HR of the playoffs, while Tyler Colvin went 3-4 at the plate as well. Steven Clevenger went 2-4 with a double and 2 RBIs, but the star of the game was on the mound. Mark Pawelek (1-0) pitched 6.2 shutout innings, giving up 3 hits, no runs, 3 walks, and struck out 3. Jeremy Papelbon relieved Pawelek going 2.1 IP without giving up an earned run to pick up the save. Boise down to Salem-Keizer 2-1

Notes: Up in the big leagues yesterday, Scott Moore got his first start, filling in for Derrek Lee, and hit his 1st major league HR.

Minor League Playoff Report

9/05/06

Tri-City 9 Boise 2 - Deryck Lewis was the only Boise Hawk with more than 1 hit, going 2-4, while Tyler Colvin went 1-4 with a double. Jacob Renshaw (1-3) started and took the loss going 5 innings, giving up 6 hits, 3 ERs, 1 walk, and struck out 6. Italian, Alessandro Maestri pitched in relief as well giving up 3 hits and 2 ERs in an inning of work.

9/06/06

Tri-City 4 Boise 3 - Josh Lansford hit his 5th HR of the year, going 1-4 at the plate while Tyler Colvin, Russ Canzler and Alfred Joseph combined to go 0-9 with 5 Ks. On the mound, Jose Pina started and took a no decision going 6 innings, giving up 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned, 2 walks, and struck out 2. Kitt Kopach (2-2) went the final 2 innings, giving up the winning run in the bottom of the 9th.

Beloit 2 Peoria 0 - Mitch Atkins (13-5) took the loss, despite pitching well, as he went 6 innings, giving up 4 hits, 2 ERs, walking 2, and striking out 3. Peoria could muster only 4 hits, with Ryan Norwood went 1-2 at the plate and Kyle Reynolds going 1-3.

Notes: Up in the majors Geovanny Soto, Jae Kuk Ryu, Buck Coats, Scott Moore, and Jose Reyes ended up being the minor league callups for the Cubs this September; Also, a couple days ago, the Cubs acquired Adam Harben from the Twins for Phil Nevin. Harben appears to be a decent prospect, and would most likely be a guy in the 11-20 range now for the Cubs; Jake Fox gets a mention in Baseball America's final Prospect Hot Sheet of the season.

"Sure, he was mad"

That was a quote directly from Oneri Fleita regarding Felix Pie's response to not being called up to the Cubs this September. Sure, you might think back to Corey Patterson, and his attitude he often displayed, but it was Pie's next question that set him apart from Patterson:

"OK, what do I have to do to get better?"

As a Cubs fan, you have to love that attitude. Some have argued Pie's absence on the major league roster is due to a pending contract situation with Juan Pierre, while others say it was the way the Cubbies putting off starting Pie's arbitration clock. The fact is we'll never know.

That being said, you can bank on Pie coming to spring training hungry, and if you have followed Pie's career, he tends to perform his best when challenged. It will certainly be interesting to see how Pie's career fits with Juan Pierre possibly still in the Cubs future. Here are the questions the Cubs will be facing:

1. Will the Cubs re-sign Pierre?
2. Can Pie and Pierre exist together? If so what happens to Murton and/or Jones? Can the Cubs afford to acquire another power hitting outfielder?
3. Will Pie be traded? If this was the plan, why not bring Pie up to at least see what he can do?

Everyone else has an opinion, so here is one more. Here is the 2007 predictor from Top Cubs Prospects:

1. Juan Pierre will be re-signed.
   
2. An outfielder will be acquired most likely via a trade, and either Murton or Pie will be going the opposite direction. You fill in the blank when it comes to the acquired player.
   
3. If Pie is kept in the Cubs organization, he will open up in Iowa next season, but will be called up by June 1st.

Your Turn: Where did I go wrong? If I'm wrong, tell me your prediction.

Minor League Report for 9/5

These were the final regular season games, although Boise will move on to the NWL playoffs.

Iowa 4 Omaha 3 - Felix Pie went 3-5 ending up with a line of 283/341/451 and an OPS of 792 (for those of you too lazy to add), and added his 17th stolen base of the year in the game. Eric Patterson joined Pie in being one of the top 5 batters in the order that each had 2 hits in this one, as Patterson had a triple and his 2nd HR since joining the Iowa Cubs and his 10th on the season. Seven pitchers took the mound for Iowa, with no pitcher pitching more than 2 innings.

West Tennessee 4 Chattanooga 1 - Brandon Sing went 1-3 with his 11th HR of the year (combined), ending a pretty disappointing season for Sing. Jake Fox went 2-4 with a double, ending his best season as a professional, with a line of 294/350/514 combined between Daytona and West Tennessee. On the mound, JR Mathes pitched a complete game, giving up 6 hits, 1 ER, walking 1, and striking out 4. It was Mathes 3rd complete game of the season, by far the organization's leader in complete games.

Beloit 2 Peoria 0 - Peoria lost in a rain shortened game in which Valerio Heredia and youngster Francisco Tirada singled for the only hits of the game for the Chiefs. Joel Santo (9-10) took the loss going just 4 IPs, giving up 3 hits, 2 runs, 1 ER, 3 walks, and striking out 3.

Boise 8 Tri-City 2 - Jose Ceda started and went 2 shutout innings giving up just a hit and striking out 1, while Jason Ruhlman (3-1) earned the win in relief striking out 6 in 2.2 IP. At the plate, Russ Canzler went 2-3 with a walk and a double, while Tyler Colvin didn't play.

Notes: A couple of big league notes affected the minors recently, with September callups. Surprisingly, Scott Moore was promoted to the big club, and made his major league debut pinch-hitting yesterday as he was hit by a pitch. Possibly as surprising, Felix Pie will not be receiving a callup, despite the final two months where Pie has torn the cover off the ball.

Minor League Report for 9/4

Today, marks the end of the minor league season!

Iowa 7 Omaha 4 - Felix Pie went 2-3 with his 15th HR of the season, his 8th triple, and 2 walks raising Pie's OPS to 788 on the season. Randy Wells (3-5) pitched well, going 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, 1 ER, 2 walks, and striking out 5. Carlos Marmol pitched in his 2nd game on a rehab assignment, going1 inning and gave up 4 hits and 3 ERs. Also of note, Scott Moore was promoted to Iowa and played short stop for the I-Cubs and went 1-4 with a double at the plate.

West Tennessee 4 Chattanooga 1 - Richard Lewis went 3-4 with 2 doubles and a RBI, while Chris Walker went 1-3 with a walk and 2 stolen bases, giving him 49 on the year. Bobby Brownlie went 4 shutout innings to start the game, although not earning a decision. Brownlie has fallen far off the charts, and it is very possible he will not be given a chance by the Cubs next season.

Daytona 4 Brevard County 1 - Jeremy Williams, who was promoted from the AZL Cubs, hit a HR, going 1-4 at the plate. Chris Robinson went 3-4 with 2 RBIs, with his 24th double of the season, and he now sports a 916 OPS since being acquired by the Cubs. On the mound, Mark Holliman (8-11) earned the win going 6.1 IP, giving up 6 hits, 1 ER, 2 walks, and striking out 3.

Brevard County 4 Daytona 3 - In the 2nd game of the double header, Matt Craig went 2-3 with his 35th double of the season, and Chris Robinson went 1-4 with a RBI, but it wasn't enough for the Daytona Cubs. Carlos Perez (5-8) took the loss in relief going 1.2 IP, giving up 2 hits, 1 ER, 3 walks, and striking out 1.

Peoria 4 Beloit 2 - Ryan Norwood went 1-3 with a walk and his 15th HR of the season, while Robinson Chirinos went 1-2 with 2 walks. Jesse Estrada (7-1), who measures at 6'8", 260 lbs, earned the win going 6 IP, 4 hits, 2 ERs, 1 walk, and struck out 4, lowering his ERA to 3.32. Valerio Heredia, a youngster playing at Peoria at the age of 20, went 1-4 with 2 stolen bases, 6 in 9 games at Peoria.

Tri-City 6 Boise 1 - Tyler Colvin's consecutive game HR streak, finally ended, as Colvin went 0-4, while Mario Mercedes, at the age of 19, went 2-4 with a RBI. Mercedes has an OPS of 730 in 127 at-bats at Boise, a very impressive feat for the 19 year old catcher. Bill Muldowney (1-3) started for Boise, going 5 IPs, giving up 7 hits, 3 ERs, no walks, and striking out 3 in taking the loss. Jeremy Papelbon pitched in relief, going 2 IPs, giving up 4 hits, 2 ERs, striking out 2.

Notes: Here is a great article on Top Cubs Prospects' #1 prospect, Donald Veal; Over at MinorLeagueBall.com, they are discussing what it would take to turn around the Cubs organization.

Quick Saturday Notes

• Felix Pie went 2-4 last night, although he did get caught stealing
• Eric Patterson also went 2-4 and added his 45th stolen base on the year
  
• Tyler Colvin had 2 more HRs, that makes 6 in his last 5 games, and 11 on the year
• Donald Veal with 6.1 shutout innings, striking out 12, here is a quick writeup by a poster over at MinorLeagueBall.com
• Finally, after Ryan Theriot and Matt Murton homer yesterday, Angel Pagan and Freddie "Boom Boom" Bynum get the start today. Dusty, don't let the door hit ya on the bum on the way out! So far, Sean Marshall hasn't missed a beat in his first start after being recalled from the DL, with a HR to Beroid Bonds as his only blemish.
• That's all for today, more on Monday.
  

September: Top 10 Prospects

Its the 1st of September, so that means its time for the latest and most up to date Cubs Top 10 Prospects. This will be the final top 10 of the season, although the daily updates will keep coming through the Fall and Winter leagues. Back to the list, keep in mind, guys that have made an appearance in the majors are no longer available for this list:

1. Donald Veal LHP
2. Felix Pie CF
3. Sean Gallagher RHP
4. Mark Pawelek LHP
5. Eric Patterson 2B
6. Tyler Colvin OF
7. Scott Moore 3B
8. Jake Fox
9. Ryan Harvey
10. Mitch Atkins

Honorable Mention: Jeff Samardzija, Russ Canzler, Brian Dopirak

July's List
August's List

Notes: The top seven on the list remained unchanged from August, while Jake Fox and Ryan Harvey moved to 8 and 9, respectively, thanks to picking it up lately. Mitch Atkins also jumped back onto the top 10 thanks to his wonderful numbers this season, while Jeff Samardzija and Brian Dopirak's lack of action has dropped them to HM status. Randy Wells, who was #8 on the August list, as dropped completely off the charts while struggling mightily at Iowa. Finally, Russ Canzler moved to HM status with a 9 HRs and 30 RBIs in August.

Your Turn: Who is your September Top 10?

Minor League Report for 9/1

Oklahoma 7 Iowa 4 - Buck Coats went 2-4 and Luis Montanez went 1-4 with his 7th HR as an Iowa Cub (9th on the season). Felix Pie went 1-4, while Eric Patterson had perhaps his toughest night since being promoted to Iowa, going 0-5. On the mound, Jerome Williams (5-7) took the loss going 6.1 IP, giving up 9 hits, 5 ERs, 4 walks, and struck out 2.

Chattanooga 3 West Tennessee 1 - Sean Gallagher (7-5) pitched well going 7 IP, giving up 5 hits, 2 ERs, 2 walks, and struck out 9, but despite the nice numbers, still took the loss. Aron Weston was perhaps the lone star at the plate, going 2-4 with 2 doubles, while only 3 other players managed a single. Jake Fox went 0-4, but did drive in the D-Jaxx' lone run on a sac fly in the bottom of the 9th.

Brevard County 2 Daytona 0 - Daytona finally played a game, their first in 3 days due to the inclement weather, but their offense simply didn't show up. Nathan Price went 2-3, while Chris Robinson and Jemel Spearman each added a single hit. Ryan Bicondoa (1-3) pitched well again going 8.1 IP, giving up 6 hits, 1 ER, 1 walk, and struck out 6, but took the loss.

Peoria 6 Wisconsin 5 - Todd Blackford (10-9) went 5.2 IP, giving up just 2 hits, 1 ER, 3 walks, and struck out 2 in earning the win for the Chiefs. Ryan Norwood went 2-4 with a RBI, while Jesus Valdez went 1-3 with a triple and a run batted in.

Boise 9 Spokane 0 - Russ Canzler went 2-5 with 2 doubles, while Tyler Colvin went 1-5 and hit his 9th HR of the season, the 4th consecutive game that Colvin homered in. Steven Clevenger went 3-4 with a double, while Alfred Joseph went 2-5, his 8th game in the last 10 that Joseph has had 2 hits in a game. Jacob Renshaw (1-2) earned the win going 6 shutout innings, giving up 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 5, while Jason Ruhlman and Alex Maestri combined to throw 3 shutout innings in relief.

Notes: Be sure to check back later today, as the final Top 10 Cubs' Prospects of the year will be announced; Keeping with the end of year trend, several leagues have announced their end of season all-stars, particularly the Southern League.