The much anticipated promotion of Anthony Rizzo to the Cubs‘ roster leaves Brett Jackson as the most intriguing name at Triple-A Iowa.
Iowa Cubs
Jackson, Chicago’s first round draft pick in 2009, is having a solid season for Iowa. He’s raked 16 doubles, nine triples, and 11 home runs in 75 games. Jackson has also scored 48 runs and stolen 14 bases. He will likely make his Cubs’ debut in September.
Josh Vitters, the Cubs’ first round pick from 2008, is having his best minor league season. The 22 year old third baseman has 19 doubles and 12 home runs and is posting a career high .844 OPS. Given the lack production at the hot corner in Chicago Vitters could get his shot at the big leagues this summer.
Tennessee Smokies
Shortstop Junior Lake continues to post solid numbers at the plate. Lake has nine doubles, four home runs, and 12 RBI in 42 games. His OPS is currently .802. On the downside Lake has committed 16 errors and been caught stealing eight times in 16 attempts.
Lefty Eric Jokisch had his worst start of the season on Sunday against Jacksonville. Jokisch allowed nine earned runs on nine hits and four walks in five 2/3 innings. The disappointing outing dropped his season record to 3-1 and raised his ERA to 3.38.
Daytona Cubs
First baseman Rebel Ridling is off to a fast start in Daytona. Ridling has hit .344 in eight games since his demotion from Tennessee.
Center field prospect Matt Szczur returned from a three week stint on the disabled list. Szczur went 1 for 3 with two walks in his first game back. He broke out in a big way on Wednesday night going 3 for 6 with a double, home run, four RBI, and two runs scored. On the season Szczur is hitting .280 with 23 steals and 47 runs scored in 54 games.
Peoria Chiefs
Shortstop Javier Baez has slowed down a bit after his torrid start but he’ s still performing well for a 19 year old. Baez four home runs, 11 RBI, and a .815 OPS in 23 games.
Peoria is also home to intriguing second base prospect Zeke DeVoss. The Cubs selected DeVoss in the third round of the 2011 draft. He’s hitting just .242 in 68 games but boasts an impressive .364 on base percentage. DeVoss has drawn 41 walks and scored 48 runs in 260 at bats.
Boise Hawks
The much maligned Hayden Simpson is off to a solid start for the Hawks. Simpson was demoted after walking 29 batters in 38 2/3 innings for Daytona. In three relief appearances for Boise Simpson is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings. He’s allowed four hits, walked five and struck out 12.
The Cubs look to have another impressive shortstop prospect in Boise’s Gioskar Amaya. The 19 year old shortstop is hitting .333 with four triples and seven RBI in 13 games. Amaya hit .377 in 52 games last season in the Arizona League.
