While the celebrations for The World Series Champions continued in Chicago, James Farris and Eloy Jimenez were representing the Cubs in the Arizona League’s Fall Stars game. Juan Perez was steady in the Dominican Republic. Yasiel Balaguert provided production in Puerto Rico. And in Venezuela, Gerardo Concepcion and Greyfer Eregua turned in good pitching performances.
And remember in all the joy Cubs fans: Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow. The Down on the Farm Report brings tomorrow into focus.
Arizona Fall League
The week did not start out well for Mesa, as they were blasted by Salt River 17-4 last Monday. Eloy Jimenez accounted for half of the Solar Sox runs by going 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Ian Happ also went 1-for-4 with a double, while Victor Caratini was 0-for-4 playing first base. Ryan McNeil continued to struggle as he allowed four earned runs and had a strikeout in pitching an inning.
The Solar Sox pitched only the third no-hitter in Arizona Fall League history as they blanked Surprise on Tuesday 1-0. Ian Happ was 1-for-4 while Victor Caratini caught the gem and went 0-for-3.
Mesa continued to struggle to find consistency on Wednesday as they lost to Glendale 7-4. Eloy Jimenez was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. James Farris remained impressive as he had a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.
It was back to winning on Thursday for the Solar Sox as Mesa beat Surprise 3-1. Ian Happ played second base and was 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored, while Victor Caratini was the DH and went 1-for-3 with a walk. Stephen Perakslis closed things out as he tossed 1.1 perfect innings for his first save.
Pitching for Mesa surrendered four runs in the first inning on Friday as the Solar Sox bowed to Scottsdale 8-3. Eloy Jimenez was the only Cubs prospect on the field and he went 2-for-4 with a double.
Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game
It was over before the patrons got their seats warm as the Arizona Fall League held their annual Fall Stars game on Saturday. Rays pitching prospect Brett Honeywell struck out five of the first six batters he faced while Dodgers infielder Willie Calhoun went 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI to lead the West to a 12-4 victory. Representing the Cubs for the East Stars, Eloy Jimenez entered the game in the fifth and was 0-for-2, as James Farris faced two batters in the seventh inning and recorded an out.
Dominican Winter League
Aguilas Cibaenas
Things were never in doubt for Cibaenas last Monday as they beat Orientales 7-1. Juan Perez was in left field and went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
The Aguilas took it on the chin on Wednesday in losing 11-4 to Escogido. Juan Perez was 1-for-4 with a run scored in the loss.
On Thursday, the Eagles used a three-run fifth inning to hold on to a 5-4 win over Orientales. Juan Perez remained steady in going 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
A ninth inning rally for Cibaenas came up short on Saturday as they lost to Licey 5-4. Juan Perez was in left field and went 1-for-4.
The Aguilas capped off the week with an 8-2 loss to Licey on Sunday. Juan Perez put up a 1-for-4 game in the loss.
Estrellas Orientales
It was a tough loss for Orientales on Friday as they succumbed to Escogido 7-6 in 11 innings. Stephen Fife started for the Eastern Stars and gave up five earned runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings. Juan Paniagua replaced Fife and stopped some of the bleeding by tossing 2.2 scoreless innings.
Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League
Cangrejeros de Santurce
Santurce ran their record to 3-0 last Monday with an 8-7 win over Aguadilla. Jacob Hannemann led off and was 0-for-3 with two walks, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.
The Cangrejeros improved to 5-0 on Thursday as they shut out Mayaguez 3-0. Jacob Hannemann remained at leadoff and was 1-for-4 with a triple and a run scored. Corey Black earned his second save as he struck out a batter in a scoreless ninth.
After a fast start, the Crabbers are stumbling as the fell 4-3 to Carolina on Sunday. Jacob Hannemann continues to struggle at leadoff as he went 0-for-4 with a walk. Corey Black had a strikeout as he pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
Criollos de Caguas
Monday saw Caguas use a three-run sixth inning to best Carolina 5-3. Kelly Dugan started in left field and was 0-for-4. Miguel Mejia pitched the eighth inning and allowed an earned run to pick up a hold.
It was a game of big innings on Tuesday as the Criollos failed against Mayaguez 9-6. Kelly Dugan was the DH and went 1-for-5 with a run scored.
The Creoles could not muster any offense on Friday in losing 1-0 to Carolina. Kelly Dugan once again was 0-for-4, while Miguel Mejia threw a scoreless eighth inning.
Caguas erupted on Saturday as Mayaguez felt their frustration in a 10-2 victory. Kelly Dugan moved to DH and was 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
Gigantes de Carolina
Carolina has yet to get into the win column for the season as they lost 5-3 on Monday to Caguas. Yasiel Balaguert remained a bright spot as he was 2-for-4 in the loss.
It was relief for Gigantes on Thursday as they finally earned a win, beating Aguadilla 7-3. Yasiel Balaguert continued to produce as he was 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
The Giants got on a mini-roll on Friday as they strung together two wins with a 1-0 victory over Caguas. Yasiel Balaguert kept hitting, going 2-for-4 for the victors.
Carolina dealt Santurce another blow on Sunday as they won 4-3. Yasiel Balaguert was 1-for-5 with a double in the victory.
Venezuelan Winter League
Aguilas de Zulia
The magic seems to be gone for Zulia as they lost to Magallanes 10-8 on Friday. Bryant Flete was at second base and went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
It was back to their winning ways on Saturday as the Aguilas took it to Lara 7-1. Bryant Flete moved up to second in the batting order and was 0-for-5, but had an RBI and a run scored.
Cardenales de Lara
Lara simply did not have enough to compete with Anzoategui on Thursday, losing 8-1. Yapson Gomez entered in the fifth inning and failed to get an out, allowing a hit.
Navegantes del Magallanes
Magallanes emptied the bench on Tuesday in a 5-4 loss to Caracas in 13 innings. Greyfer Eregua came on with two outs in the sixth inning and pitched a scoreless inning. Gerardo Concepcion worked around a walk and a hit with four strikeouts in 1.2 scoreless innings.
Navagantes has been using their depth as they outlasted Zulia 10-8 on Friday. Gerardo Concepcion got the last out of the seventh inning and pitched a scoreless eighth, striking out a batter, to gain the win.
The Navigators came out swinging on Saturday as they crushed Aragua 10-5. Greyfer Eregua relieved starter Toru Murata in the fourth inning and yielded only a walk in 1.1 innings to earn his second victory.
News and Notes
The Chicago Cubs removed RHP Duane Underwood Jr. from the roster of the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League.