NEWSLETTER
Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can’t be said for South Bend and Myrtle Beach, as they surrendered a combined 36 runs in losing efforts. That and more in today’s Cubs Farm Report.
Cubs Farm Report | April 18, 2024
Triple-A Iowa Cubs (11-6)
The Iowa Cubs secured a 4-3 victory against the Louisville Bats at Principal Park. Owen Caissie, the Cubs’ No. 3 prospect, hit his first Triple-A home run in the fifth inning. Louisville took an early 1-0 lead, but Iowa tied the game in the third inning. Caissie’s home run put the Cubs ahead 2-1 in the fifth, and they extended their lead to 4-1 in the sixth with a two-run double from Matt Mervis. Although the Bats narrowed the gap to 4-3 in the eighth inning with a two-run homer from P.J. Higgins, strong pitching from Chris Clarke and Carl Edwards Jr. secured the win for Iowa.
Note: Today’s Iowa Cubs game has been postponed due to rain and will be made up on Friday. Iowa and Louisville will play two seven-inning games in a doubleheader.
Notable Performances
Owen Caissie | 2-3, HR, RBI, BB, K
Pete Crow-Armstrong | 1-5, 2B, K
Matt Mervis | 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Chris Clarke | 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 K
Carl Edwards Jr. | 2.0 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 K, 0 BB
FINAL: Cubs 4, Louisville Bats 3 | Box Score
First Triple-A homer for Owen Caissie!
The @Cubs' third-ranked prospect (MLB No. 44) sends this out in a hurry at 101 mph for the @IowaCubs: pic.twitter.com/yt3feY7Ggk— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 17, 2024
Double-A Tennessee Smokies (6-4)
Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies as they topped the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday. Alcántara’s two-hit performance is a sight for sore eyes after a brutal start to the season for the Cubs’ No. 5 prospect (MLB PIpeline).
Notable Performances
Kevin Alcántara | 2-4, HR, 2B, RBI, 0 K
Cole Roederer | 2-4, R, 2 K
James Triantos | 0-2, BB, RBI
FINAL: Smokies 4, Montgomery Biscuits 2 | Box Score
The Jaguar tees off for the first time in 2024!@Cubs No. 5 prospect Kevin Alcántara (MLB No. 59) wallops a homer for @smokiesbaseball: pic.twitter.com/y2IR4zy7Pk— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 18, 2024
High-A South Bend Cubs (3-8)
The second game of a six-game series between the South Bend Cubs and Beloit Sky Carp was one to forget for South Bend. Beloit slugged their way to a decisive 19-4 victory. Beloit’s offense exploded with six runs in the second inning, four in the third, and six more in the eighth, fueled by six home runs in the game and eight in the series. South Bend’s Rafael Morel and Jefferson Rojas had notable performances at the plate, while Casey Opitz contributed a home run. Chase Watkins provided a solid relief outing for South Bend, pitching 2.2 innings with one run allowed and four strikeouts.
Notable Performances
Rafael Morel | 4-5, 2B, RBI, R
Jefferson Rojas | 1-5, RBI
Casey Opitz | 1-4, HR, RBI
Matt Sanders | 1.2 IP, 6 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Chase Watkins | 2.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 4 K, 0 BB
FINAL: Cubs 4, Beloit Sky Carp 19 | Box Score
Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans (
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans suffered a 17-8 defeat against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, extending their losing streak to six games. The Cannon Ballers capitalized on 17 walks (yes, that’s correct) and 13 hits, while Myrtle Beach struggled on the mound, issuing a franchise-record 17 walks. Reliever Vince Reilly took the loss after allowing four runs in his season debut, while starter Mason McGwire struggled with three walks in the first inning. Despite offensive efforts from Andy Garriola and Carter Trice, who hit a home run and logged two RBIs, respectively, the Pelicans left 13 runners on base.
Notable Performances
Alexis Hernandez | 2-6, R
Andy Garriola | 1-4, HR, 2 RBI
Carter Trice | 1-4, 2 RBI
Mason McGwire | 0.2 IP, 3 BB
Nick Dean | 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 8 K, 2 BB
FINAL: Pelicans 8, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 17 | Box Score
