The top South Bend Cubs storylines from the first half
With the first half of the minor league season in the rearview mirror, the Cubs High-A Affiliate South Bend Cubs have a record of 36-56.
On “Road to Wrigley: Farm Report” Thursday evening on Marquee Sports Network, South Bend Cubs broadcasters Brendan King and Max Thoma recap some of the top storylines from the team so far. King and Thoma look at pitchers and position players that have stood out in the first half of the season.
Pitching prospect Sam Armstrong, a 13th round draft pick from Old Dominion University in 2023, showed great value in the rotation for South Bend before his promotion up to Double-A Tennessee Smokies.
“He pitched exclusively as a reliever in his 8 outings last year in Low-A. No earned runs in the first month back in April. In 10 of his first 11 appearances with the South Bend Cubs, 1 run or fewer. He came out of the gate flying,” Thoma said on Armstrong, who had a 3.00 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 15 games.
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Another prospect who has shown well this season is the Cubs’ No. 7 ranked prospect Jefferson Rojas. With a slash line of .254 AVG/.318 OBP/.330 SLG (.648 OPS), he has started to make his case as a rising star of the future for the Cubs at age 19.
“Amongst all the qualified teenagers in the Midwest League, nobody’s got a better average or more hits or a lower strikeout rate than Jefferson Rojas. He’s been incredible,” Thoma said. “Also hitting .307 at the home ballpark [Four Winds Field] so he’s been at his best in front of the South Bend faithful.”