Cubs Prospect Wesneski Dominant in Iowa Outing

Though the game was long over by the time Chicago Cubs prospect Hayden Wesneski entered Triple-A Iowa's game on Wednesday, the righty turned in another shut down outing, this time in relief.

Wesneski piggybacked Iowa starter Anderson Espinoza, and finished the game with five shutout innings, allowing just two base runners and striking out three.

The starting pitcher, acquired via trade with the New York Yankees at the deadline, has been magnificent in his last three outings. The righty has allowed just one run, four hits, and three walks in fifteen innings, alongside fifteen strikeouts.

Wesneski should certainly be in consideration for a rotation spot in 2023, and if he continues to stack solid outings, his case will become even stronger. 

Elsewhere on the farm:

Triple-A: Iowa Cubs (57-68) at Columbus Clippers (72-51): L 7-0

• The Cubs had just three hits, one of which was on a Matt Mervis single. Mervis finished 1-for-3 with a hit by pitch. 

Double-A: Tennessee Smokies (65-57) vs Mississippi Braves (56-65): W 3-1

• Riley Thompson pitched five strikeout innings while striking out three. The 26-year-old has a 3.37 ERA in his last 11 starts.
• Zach Davis went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot. The center fielder is batting .367 this season. 
• Nelson Maldonado hit his 12th double of the season. The left fielder has an OPS above 1.000 this season.

High-A: South Bend Cubs (69-53) at Lansing Lugnuts (50-72): W 4-2

• Porter Hodge followed a rehabbing Wade Miley (who allowed two runs over 3.2 innings), and pitched the final five frames, collecting six strikeouts and shutting out Lansing. The righty has an ERA of 1.78 this season.
• Jordan Nwogu hit a triple for the second straight game. The 23-year-old now has six on the season.
• BJ Murray Jr. went 1-for-3 with a walk, home run, and RBI. The designated hitter has an OPS of .769 this season.
• Pablo Aliendo hit a two-run home run as his lone hit. The catcher hit four of his seven home runs on the season in the month of August. 

Single-A Game One: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (72-49) at Charleston RiverDogs (81-40): L 5-1

• James Triantos went 2-for-3 with a home run. The third baseman raised his OPS above .700 following the contest. 
• Johzan Oquendo struck out three batters over two scoreless relief innings. 
• Kevin Alcantara went 1-for-2 with a walk. 

Single-A Game Two: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (73-49) at Charleston RiverDogs (81-41): W 5-2

• Kevin Alcantara again went 1-for-2 with a walk, with his lone knock being a double. The outfielder's OPS now sits at an even .800.
• Josue Huma went 1-for-4 with his fourth longball of the season. 
• Ezequiel Pagan went 2-for-4, raising his batting average to .286.
• Chase Watkins pitched three shutout innings of relief with four strikeouts and no walks. The lefty also picked up his third win of the season.

Transactions:

• The Cubs sent Wade Miley on a rehab assignment to High-A South Bend.  
• South Bend also activated Catcher Caleb Knight from the seven-day injured list.