AFL Rosters, Moves and Other News from the Farm

The Cubs have had some movement in their Minor League system over the past couple of weeks. The September call-ups are around the corner with the Minor League season just about completed. Here are the latest promotions, demotions, signings and more information on Chris Robinson, the player the Cubs received from Detroit for Neifi Perez.

The Arizona Fall League (AFL) Rosters were announced on Monday and several members of the Cubs Farm system are on the list.

Arizona Fall League - Pat Listach will manage the Mesa Solar Sox and here are the other young Cubs on the roster:

Carmen Pignatiello - LHP - Iowa
Lincoln Holdzkom - RHP - West Tenn
Grant Jackson - RHP - Daytona
Clay Rapada - LHP - Iowa
Jake Fox - C - West Tenn
Scott Moore - 3B - West Tenn
Eric Patterson - 2B

Here is the Link from MILB.com

Eric Patterson was promoted from Double-A West Tenn on August 19th to Iowa. Patterson hit a home run for the Iowa Cubs in his first game at Triple-A. Patterson was named to the 2006 Futures Game at the All-Star break and was a Southern League All-Star in his first full season at West Tenn. In 121 games Patterson hit .263 with 22 doubles and 9 triples. In 2 games with Iowa he is 3-8 with a home run and 3 RBI's, 1 stolen base.

Carmen Pignatiello was also promoted to Iowa on August 19th. Pignatiello spent most of last season at the Triple-A level but started this season with West Tenn (3-1, 2.69 ERA in 38 games, 1 start). In 2 games with Iowa he has allowed 2 hits but no runs in 2 2/3 innings/

Hugo Castellanos was demoted from the I-Cubs to West Tenn on August 19th. The 26-year old appeared in just 2 games for the Iowa after coming over from the Potros de Tijuana (Triple-A Mexican League). In 22 games, 17 starts, he was 6-0 with a 3.17 ERA and in 110 2/3 innings struck out 111. Castellanos signed with the Cubs on August 11th. In 1 game with the Diamond Jaxx he has given up 1 run on 2 hits in 2 1/3 innings with 5 strikeouts.

Mac Suzuki signed with the Cubs on August 10th. In 27 games with Potros de Tijuana (Triple-A Mexican League) he was 4-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 27 games, 7 starts, and 11 saves. In 4 games with Iowa he has given up 3 runs on 5 hits in 3 2/3 innings (7.36 ERA).

Chris Robinson was the catcher the Cubs received on Sunday when they traded Neifi Perez to the Detroit Tigers. Robinson was named to the 2006 Florida State All-Star team. Robinson hit .375 against left-handed pitching and after a slow start hit .365 after the All-Star break. Robinson committed 7 errors, had 16 passed balls and posted a .988 fielding percentage while throwing out 26 percent of base runners.

Rocky Cherry was promoted to Iowa on July 18th. Cherry was 4-1 with a 2.22 ERA in just under 49 innings of relief for West Tenn and was named to the 2006 Southern League All-Star team. In just over a month with the I-Cubs he is 1-0 with a 10.12 ERA, in 2 games he has allowed 3 runs on 3 hits in 2 2/3 innings. The former starter had Tommy John surgery in May of 2005. Cherry has increased his velocity since the surgery and is fastball has topped out at 96-97 MPH.

The Iowa Cubs added the following players to their roster:

Wilton Chavez (RHP) signed with the Cubs July 27th - 2-2, 4.66 in 9 games 19.1 IP, with the Nashville Sounds he was 3-1 with a 3.64 ERA in 27 games, 3 starts in 54 1/3 innings

Jesse Hoorelbeke (1B) - .308/.308/1.077/3 HR/5 RBI's in 6 games

Other recent Minor League Signings: Isaac Pavlik (LHP); Ryan Bicondoa (RHP); Pedro Lopez (SS); Francisco Tirado (SS); Nathan Sampson (SS)

Released: Phillip Norton (LHP); Felin Santana (RHP); Jeff Teasley (RHP)

Neil

Jason...you are not going to like the first name I think they will call-up....Jerome Williams. I also think they will wait another 10 days and activate Wade Miller and Sean Marshall. Marshall pitched a good game last night, 6 innings, 5 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks and 6 k's. I also think they will call-up Kerry Ligtenberg...13 saves with Iowa.

Geovany Soto will get called-up. I had my doubts about Pie until lately but with they just did with Coats, I have no idea. Mike Fontenot is another, but I think he is injured.

I will be surprised if they bring up Patterson with him just being put on the AFL roster. After a rough year at West Tenn he has been on fire at Iowa....3 more hits I think last night.

Jason B. from AZ

Jim,

I agree...although I never thought they would pay enough to sign him in the first place. Maybe the Mets will put him in the OF, to replace the aging/injury-prone Cliff Floyd? The Yankees can afford him, but I am not sure they have a spot for him now. It will be interesting to see who the top bidders are for Soriano, Lee, and Zito. I think the Yankees get Zito...but not sure about Soriano and Lee.

Neil,

With so many rookies on the club already, who do you think the Cubs are targeting to come up? I would think a bunch of relievers would give the bullpen some much needed rest...any ideas on which pitchers or position players are most likely to be called up?

I would like to see Eric Patterson come up...light a fire under Cedeno.