Bus Leagues Express: August 2

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Rohan hit two homers in AAA debut: Greg Rohan has been one of the most productive hitters in the Cubs’ organization this year, and he’s tied for 2nd in the entire organization in home runs with 19, only behind Anthony Rizzo who has lapped the field with 31. Wednesday, he debuted with Iowa, his third level of play this season, and hit two home runs in their 11-6 loss to Colorado Springs. Just a 21st round pick out of Kent State a few years ago, Rohan really isn’t a prospect as a first baseman, but with all of the upheaval in the organization this year, his production hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Joseph collects three hits against former teammates: A day after switching clubhouses as the centerpiece of the Hunter Pence trade, Tommy Joseph competed against the team he had spent the entire season with and got the better of them. In Reading’s 7-4 win over Richmond, Joseph went 3/4 with a run scored and run driven in. No Flying Squirrels tried testing his arm, and after seeing it in action all year, no one can blame them. Joseph caught four different R-Phils pitchers including a former position player making his debut on the mound, Tim Kennelly. Kennelly had made his last appearance as a position player on 7/14, and he struck out two in one inning in his debut.

Daytona deals with overzealous umpire: All baseball fans have seen umpires overstep their bounds as game administrators, and Mario Seneca in the Florida State League will be getting plenty of attention after ejecting Daytona’s music intern Derek Dye from Tuesday’s Daytona Cubs victory. After a questionable call at first base, Dye played an organ instrumental rendition of “Three Blind Mice”, and Seneca clearly took this affront to officiating seriously. He demanded that both Dye and the team’s public address announcer turn off the stadium’s sound system for the rest of the game.

Baez’s hot month carries over into August: Javier Baez is coming off one of the best individual months in Peoria history, and his prospect stock has responded in kind. In 106 July at-bats, Baez hit .368 with a .397 OBP and .679 SLG including seven home runs. In his first August game yesterday, he added two more hits including his 10th double of the season and scored twice. The 19 year old infielder has shown off all of his tools this season with 11 home runs in 55 games and 19 steals in 22 attempts, although stolen bases won’t be a big part of his game as he matures. Peoria’s 9th inning rally gave them a wild 11-10 win over Quad Cities. Dustin Geiger had eight RBI.

Ynoa roughed up in Vermont debut: The Lake Monsters are named for the legendary sea animals purported to exist by some conspiracy theorists, such as the Loch Ness Monster. It’s fitting that Michael Ynoa would pitch for this affiliate. He’s been injured so much that Ynoa sightings have been very rare. After six appearances in the Arizona League, Ynoa finally made his first start away from the complex league Wednesday in Vermont’s 6-1 loss to Mahoning Valley. It was just the 10th career start for the big Dominican righty signed in 2008, and he struggled. He lasted just 2.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks without striking out a batter. At this point, the A’s just want to see him stay healthy for an extended period of time.

GCL Red Sox lose despite impressive pitchers: The GCL Red Sox had a Major League rehabber and top pick making a pro debut Tuesday, but they were still edged 2-1 by the GCL Rays. Starting the game for the Red Sox was Andrew Bailey, their biggest acquisition of the offseason who hasn’t pitched yet this year due to a thumb injury. He showed some rust in an inning of work by allowing a triple and hitting a batter, but he did strike out two and allowed neither runner to score. Following Bailey was Ty Buttrey, Boston’s overslot 4th round pick who was considered to be a 1st round talent. Buttrey hit a batter, but his inning was also scoreless with two strikeouts. Boston’s bullpen has actually been excellent despite a horrendous start, but Bailey would still be a huge addition down the stretch.

On tap today

MiLB.TV schedule

Dan Straily takes the mound for Sacramento

Jose Cisnero makes second AAA start against Danny Hultzen

Trevor May hopes to turn season around

Nick Maronde makes AA debut

C.J. Edwards looks to continue great pro start