According to Baseball America, the Cubs have signed 17 of their 21 draft picks already. The only ones that haven’t signed are 11th-round pick RHP Ariston Veasey, 13th-rounder C Emanuel Hernandez, 18th-rounder RHP Luke McGrath and 19th-round pick RHP Luke Guth.
Those four picks still have until a week from tomorrow to sign.
Right-hander Jake Woodford, who opted for free agency four days ago, re-signed with the Cubs and reported to Iowa.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs plucked the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 13-4.
It was a good start for Will Sanders, as he allowed just two runs on two hits over five innings. One of the two runs was unearned. The other one was a home run. Sanders struck out two and walked one as he collected the win.
Ethan Roberts pitched the sixth inning on a rehab assignment and retired the side in order. He did not strike anyone out.
First baseman Jonathon Long had a huge game, going 4 for 6 with two doubles and a solo home run in the third inning. It was Long’s 11th on the year. Long scored two runs and drove in two runs.
Third baseman Owen Miller cranked a three-run home run in the fourth inning, his sixth on the campaign. Miller went 2 for 4 with two walks. He scored two runs.
Finally, center fielder Brett Bateman hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth. It was Bateman’s third home run this year. Bateman went 2 for 5 with a walk and two runs scored.
Right fielder James Triantos doubled twice in a 3 for 5 afternoon. Triantos scored one run and drove in one.
Second baseman Ben Cowles was 2 for 5 with an RBI triple in the ninth. He scored twice.
Catcher Moisés Ballesteros went 2 for 5 with a walk. He stole two bases and had two RBI.
Jonny Long goes deep
Owen Ayers went 1 for 4 with a walk. Here’s the RBI single.
Triantos’ first double.
Miller’s home run.
Trianto’s second double.
Cowles hits a triple.
Bateman showing some uncommon power.
Knoxville Smokies
The Knoxville Smokies got burned by the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 10-2.
Starter Kevin Valdez gave up four runs in the bottom of the first inning and the Smokies never overcame that. The final line on Valdez was four runs on nine hits over 3.1 innings. Valdez struck out two and walked no one.
First baseman Edgar Alvarez went 2 for 4 and scored one run.
DH Ariel Armas was 2 for 4.
Catcher Ethan Hearn went 1 for 4 and drove in both Knoxville runs.
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs reassigned the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), 7-0.
Kohl Franklin returned to South Bend on a rehab assignment and pitched quite well. Franklin tossed 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Franklin struck out four and only walked one.
The win went to Pierce Coppola, who tossed three innings of scoreless relief. Coppola surrendered two hits and issued two walks while striking out two.
Shortstop Angel Cepeda hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, his second on the season. Cepeda was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Left fielder Jose Escobar was 3 for 4 with two runs batted in.
Center fielder Kane Kepley went 1 for 2 with a walk and he was hit by a pitch. Kepley also left the game after his head collided with the Chiefs shortstop’s knee in the sixth inning. Kepley scored one run and had one run batted in before he exited.
Cepeda’s home run.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were broadsided by the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox), 10-2. It was the Birds’ fourth-straight loss.
Noah Edders started and got the loss. Edders went three innings and gave up four runs on six hits. Edders struck out three, walked two and hit one.
Third baseman Derniche Valdez went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
DH Alexey Lumpuy was 1 for 4 with a triple and one run scored.
ACL Cubs
Off day. The Arizona Complex League season ends on Thursday. The Cubs will not make the (short) playoffs.
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