2023 Iowa Cubs
Each year, I try to see the local minor league team, the Iowa Cubs, Triple A affiliate of Chicago.
The Cubs are on the downslide after winning the 2016 World Series although I don’t know if those same architects are trying to repeat that success. There are some prospects in Iowa that could show up in Chicago
Matt Mervis- Mervis didn’t start but did appear. He is a top prospect based on his power and thought he didn’t produce, hit some powerful foul balls.
Alexander Canario - Canario got injured in the off-season but looking to make a difference on the Cubs as he rehabs
Ryan Thompson - one of the more heralded minor league pitchers for the Cubs. He started but was only given two innings of work as it seemed like the Cubs were using a lot of pitching in this game.
Chase Strumpf- a possible second or third baseman. He struck out in three straight at bats.
Yonathan Perlaza- Perlaza has been in the minors for awhile and currently is Iowa’s lead off hitter but he has had a good season.
Jake Slaughter- Another long time minor league player whose stats have come around. He had three hits and two RBIs for a pretty nice night
Bailey Horn- a pitching prospect with some hype. He struck out three in less than two innings of work
Brendan Little- A 2017 first round pick. He pitched in relief as the Cubs fell apart in the ninth.
The Cubs tried to keep it close but at the end it was a 9-6 loss to the Indianapolis Indians
Former Chicago third baseman David Bote and Nick Madrigal (on a rehab assignment) were probably the biggest names to appear. The Indians strangely aren’t a Cleveland affiliate (and still an antique that has not changed their team name) but are associated with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Alika Williams (a shortstop prospect traded from the Tampa Rays) and Chris Owings (a bit of a baseball journeyman with 700+ major league games played) hit home runs