Cubs Minor League News: AFL Edition |
The beat goes on for the Mesa Solar Sox as they have gotten off to one of their best starts in franchise history. Sitting at 6-2 and atop the Arizona Fall League Standings, there is a lot to like about with this team, and when it comes to a Cubs side of things watching Moises Ballesteros, Jonathon Long, Ben Cowles, and the rest of the Cubs prospects get some added reps is all anyone could've asked for in this season, and all three have continued to deliver in the AFL.
Facing off against the Peoria Javelinas on Wednesday, the Solar Sox found themselves down big early as a three-run fourth inning opened the floodgates and gave the Javelinas a 5-0 lead. From that point on, it was all Solar Sox as they used a five-run sixth inning to pull within 7-6 before a pair of solo shots in the seventh gave them the lead for good and lifted them to their fourth straight win 8-7. Unlike the previous days, where there would be three and sometimes even more of the Cubs prospects seeing action, Wednesday was a much lighter night as three of the seven Cubs farmhands saw action. As has been the case most of the season, Ballesteros continues to get reps at catcher and has become as close to an everyday player as possible. All Ballesteros has done since the start of the AFL is hit, and that continued in this one as he picked up two more hits to raise his average to raise his average to .423 and drove in another run. Both of his hits came in consecutive at bats, with the first one coming in at the bottom of the sixth. His leadoff double helped ignite what was a five-run inning. Ballesteros came in to score on an RBI fielder's choice later in that inning, but it was his at bat in the seventh that left a lasting impression, as he led things off with a solo blast to help the Solar Sox tie things back up 7-7. Mesa would eventually take the lead later in that inning off a Niko Kavadas homer, as the former Notre Dame star is starting to come into his own this fall. Not only has Ballesteros continued to impress to the point where he is one of the best hitters in the league, but Long has also shown some impressive signs, hitting north of .300 with eight RBIs this fall. Five of those RBIs came in one game, but as long as he continues to hit the ball good things will happen. Long had a rough game in this one, striking out twice in his five plate appearances, but with one hit, his average stays at .300 for the season. His hit came in his first at-bat with a single before going hitless with a pair of strikeouts the rest of the way. While the Cubs' offensive stars continued to go about their business, they also saw one of their pitchers take the ball. Vince Reilly was back on the mound for the third time this season. Unlike his previous appearances, where he entered a lower leverage situation, Reilly was tasked with locking this game down, as it was up to him to pitch the ninth and secure the save. Pitching in high-leverage situations is nothing new for the former Grand Canyon University pitcher. He was often thrown into tough situations with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans this season, and for the most part, he delivered. This was one of those games where Reilly came in and made quick work of his opponents. He needed less than 15 pitches to retire the side and secure his first save of the season. Another homer for @moisesballest17 in @MLBazFallLeague on Wednesday night! He's been flashing easy power with a sweet swing! #Cubs #CubsProspects #AFL2024 pic.twitter.com/YA7moxSDRH
