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• Cubs prospects throttle Angels prospects in Spring Breakout Game, 8-3

Kevin Alcántara | Photo by Marison Bilagody/MLB Photos via Getty Images The Cubs top prospects broke out to a win as the weather finally permitted the team to play a Spring Breakout game. It took three tries for the Cubs to finally get a Spring Breakout game played, but the baby Cubs made it worth the wait. The Cubs prospects jumped on the Angels prospects early and didn’t let up, cruising...2025
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• Cubs 7, Guardians 4: Shōta Imanaga’s next start will be in Japan

Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images The Cubs have one more spring game before they leave for Japan. Despite the two home runs Shōta Imanaga allowed in the second inning Monday, I think he’d probably say this was a successful final tuneup for the Tokyo Series. Imanaga pitched into the fifth inning. He threw 75 pitches (52 strikes), striking out four. This probably sets S...2025
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• Cubs cut spring roster to 42 players

Ethan Roberts | Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images The Cubs didn’t play Friday, but they were still active. Once again, none of these cuts should surprise you. We’re getting to the point where the Tokyo Series roster (plus taxi squad) will be announced early next week. The Cubs today reduced the spring roster from 53 to 42 players. Right-handed pitcher Ethan Roberts an...2025
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• Rosters for Cubs’ Spring Breakout Games Announced

Cade Horton | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images Cubs prospects will play two “Spring Breakout” games this year. Major League Baseball today announced the rosters for the “Spring Breakout” contests that match the top minor leaguers in team’s farm systems against each other. The Cubs team will feature top prospects like right-hander Cade Horton, catcher Moises Ballesteros and ...2025
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• Cubs vs. Padres at Mesa preview, Tuesday 3/4, 2:05 CT

Steve Sher The Cubs return to Sloan Park. Tuesday notes... GOTTA GET THAT WORK IN BEFORE JAPAN: Only four Cubs have 20 at-bats so far this spring: Michael Busch, Ben Cowles, Christian Franklin and Gage Workman. Of those, only Busch is guaranteed to go to Tokyo. THE MOST INNINGS PITCHED BY A CUB THIS SPRING: Six, by Brad Keller and Caleb Kilian. RUN DIFFERENTIAL: After losses by four ru...2025
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• Cubs 4, Angels 4: Fit to be tied

Steve Sher One strike away from a Cubs win, an Angels homer led to the Cubs’ second straight tie. MESA, Arizona — Well, they’re still undefeated. The Cubs were that close — as noted above, one strike away — from winning Thursday afternoon’s game, when Brooks Kriske served up a two-run homer to Angels minor leaguer Kyren Paris. The Cubs loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but could ...2025
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• Cubs cut spring roster to 42 players
2025

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• Cubs 4, Angels 4: Fit to be tied
2025

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• Names to watch for the Rule 5 Draft: 2024 Edition

Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images I did okay last year. I’m trying to proceed down the comeback trail this year. I don’t know if the Rule 5 Draft has gotten increasingly less relevant, but it sure feels that way. Teams now care a lot about roster flexibility, and savvy organizations are focused on skillsets and their own development strengths in a way where the waiver/cas...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: Kilian bounces back with solid rehab start as Iowa splits doubleheader

Caleb Kilian | Dylan Heuer Iowa finally plays and splits a doubleheader. The other three teams in the system come out on top. Everyone wins! OK, Iowa lost too. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs’ home field was playable tonight and they split a doubleheader with the Columbus Clippers, losing game one 9-5 and winning game two 5-1. Jordan Wicks started game one on a rehab assignment and went 2+ innin...2024
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• Braves Minor League recap: Blake Burkhalter throws a shutout

Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports Burkhalter had the first game in a dominant double header for the Rome Emperors It was an exciting set of games on the pitching front for the Atlanta Braves minor league system, with all four levels featuring a pitcher that ranked on the Battery Power top 30 list. Three of those - Hurston Waldrep, Blake Burkhalter, and JR Ritchie - are trying to make thei...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: The Jaguar’s home run caps off a 7-2 Smokies win over the Lookouts

Kevin Alcántara | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK The top two teams win. The bottom two can’t score. Iowa Cubs outfielder Brennen Davis was put on the injured list with a back fracture. Team president Jed Hoyer said that Davis will miss “an extended amount of time.” This is yet another blow to the Cubs former top prospect who has simply not been able to stay healthy ov...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: Riley Thompson takes a no-hitter into the 7th as Iowa tops St. Paul, 8-1.

Riley Thompson | Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images Terrific pitching and a late rally leads Iowa past St. Paul. The Pelicans walk past Fayetteville—literally. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs defiled the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 8-1. Riley Thompson took a no-hitter into the seventh inning when he gave up a solo home run to DaShawn Keirsey Jr. after two were out. The final line on Thompson was o...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: Ed Howard has 4 hits as South Bend blasts Quad Cities, 15-0

Ed Howard | GREG SWIERCZ / USA TODAY NETWORK Some worrying news for a top Cubs prospect, but Iowa wins anyway. South Bend has a big night. Right-hander Michael Arias was promoted to Triple-A Iowa from Double-A Tennessee. There’s some bad news about Cubs top pitching prospect Cade Horton tonight. But it’s the kind of news where you say “It could have been worse.” Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs ech...2024
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• Get to know the Tennessee Smokies

Cade Horton | MATTIE NERETIN / USA TODAY NETWORK The Cubs’ Double-A affiliate is loaded with prospects to start 2024 The rest of the Cubs full-season farm teams start play on Friday, so it’s time to look at the Tennessee Smokies, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs since 2007. The Smokies are the defending Southern League champions, having claimed their first outright title since 1...2024
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• Cubs 8, Rangers 6: The power barrage continues

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports The Cubs sent more baseballs out of the yard Sunday at Sloan Park. MESA, Arizona — The Cubs hosted many of the regulars from the defending World Series champion Rangers and put the hurt on them, hitting two home runs and smashing several other extra-base hits in an 8-6 victory. Since March 9, including split-squad games, the Cubs are 8-1. (Not that spring wins...2024
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2025
"Christian Franklin then walked, and Kevin Alcántara singled in Cowles to make it 3-0 [VIDEO]."

2024
"Michael Busch followed with a triple and scored on a single by Nico Hoerner to make it 6-1, and another homer, by Cubs minor leaguer Christian Franklin, made the score 8-1 [VIDEO]."

2023
"Some defensive wizardry in right by Cristian Franklin: Christian Franklin went ALL OUT on this catch The @Cubs prospect lays out for a sensational grab in right field for the @SBCubs: pic."

2021
"Christian Franklin is having a massive offseason for Arkansas baseball ahead of the 2021 season, but he’s certainly not alone as we take an in-depth look at the Razorbacks’ fall workouts."

• Cubs prospects throttle Angels prospects in Spring Breakout Game, 8-3
2025

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• Rosters for Cubs’ Spring Breakout Games Announced
2025

Read about Matt Dirksen contract
• Cubs 4, Angels 4: Fit to be tied
2025

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• Cubs 12, Dodgers 4: Welcome to our robo-ump overlords

Major League Baseball MLB’s ABS challenge system test was used for the first time. The Cubs — or, more accurately, a bunch of miscellaneous guys wearing Cubs uniforms — defeated the Dodgers in the 2025 Spring Training opener 12-4 Thursday afternoon in Glendale, Arizona. That wasn’t the most important story of the game, as you surely know that Spring Training wins and losses are pretty well...2025
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• The Cubs invite 20 non-roster players to Spring Training

James Triantos at the 2024 All-Star Futures Game | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images Here are the players who will help fill out the spring camp roster. Friday afternoon, the Cubs announced the 20 players who have received non-roster invitations to Spring Training at the Sloan Park complex in Mesa, Arizona. Of these 20, 10 played in the Cubs organization at some point in 2024...2025
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• Names to watch for the Rule 5 Draft: 2024 Edition
2024

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• Outside The Confines: Juan Soto signs with New York (Mets)

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Juan Soto signs a record deal with the Amazin’s. Willy Adames goes to the Giants. Other free agent signings and a preview of the Winter Meetings. Good morning. Late-breaking news last night. And it’s beginning to look a lot like the Winter Meetings. Last night, free agent outfielder Juan Soto agreed to a record 15-year, $765 million deal. There is no def...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: South Bend beats Cedar Rapids, 4-1

Brett Bateman | MANDATORY CREDIT: Austin Hough / South Bend Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK Lots of movement in the system today. A lot of close games too, but only South Bend won. There was a ton of movement in the system again today. I’ll try to catch it all. The Iowa Cubs activated outfielder Cole Roederer and infielder Luis Vazquez off the injured list. Outfielder Gilberto Celestino, thi...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: Felix Stevens’ 1st Smokies home run powers past Lookouts, 8-6

Felix Stevens | MANDATORY CREDIT: Austin Hough / South Bend Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK The Smokies win a see-saw game. Tennessee’s James Triantos was named Southern League Player of the Month. From the press release: Tennessee Smokies (Cubs) second baseman James Triantos batted .393/.438/.607 and led the league in average (.393), hits (35), runs (22) and stolen bases (16). He finished se...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: South Bend beats Lake County, 4-3

Jefferson Rojas | GREG SWIERCZ / USA TODAY NETWORK South Bend sneaks past Lake County. The Smokies blow a golden opportunity. The Cubs signed right-hander Antonio Santos to a minor-league contract. Santos pitched for the Rockies in 2020 and 2021. He most-recently pitched for Pericos de Puebla in the Mexican League. Santos has been assigned to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. Iowa Cubs The ...2024
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• Cubs vs. Padres at Mesa preview, Tuesday 3/4, 2:05 CT
2025

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• Cubs 4, Angels 4: Fit to be tied
2025

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• Minor League Wrap: Owen Caissie homers twice and Cam Smith extends his home run streak to 6

Owen Caissie | Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Owen Caissie homers twice. Cam Smith homers yet again. The Smokies and South Bend win on walk-offs in extras. David Bote has cleared waivers and has joined the Iowa Cubs. Everyone wins today. And Charleston is sick to death of Cam Smith. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs poached the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers), 4-2. Jordan Wicks started on a r...2024
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• Braves Minor League recap: Blake Burkhalter throws a shutout
2024

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• Minor League Wrap: Happy Fourth of July

Photo by Parker Freedman/MLB Photos via Getty Images Iowa storms back to beat Omaha. South Bend and Tennessee also win. The Iowa Cubs placed first baseman Matt Mervis on the 7-day injured list. It was reported that Mervis has a possible broken hamate bone. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs stormed past the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 5-4. Thomas Pannone went into the seventh inning and allowed two...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: Jaxon Wiggins shines in his Pelicans debut with 5-2 win over GreenJackets

Jaxon Wiggins in 2022 | Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images Bullpen issues throughout the system means that only the Pelicans got a win. In case you haven’t heard, infielder Nick Madrigal went on the 7-day injured list with a broken left hand after getting hit by a pitch yesterday. It’s a safe bet that he’ll miss more than seven games. Iowa activated right-handers Eduarniel Nunez and Zac Le...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: Strumpf slugs I-Cubs past Mud Hens, 9-6

Chase Strumpf | Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Three losses today, but a win for the I-Cubs. David Bote went on the injured list after taking a pitch in the wrist yesterday. RHP Matthew Thompson was promoted to Iowa from Tennessee, although I assume he’s taking Daniel Palencia’s spot and not Bote’s. In case anyone is new around here, there’s no Minor League Wrap on most Monday...2024
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• Cardinals 7, Cubs 2: And now, for real

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Practice games are over, the season starts Thursday. The Cardinals defeated the Cubs 7-2 Tuesday at Sloan Park. Raise your hand if you care about the result. (Hoping to see no hands raised...) I sure don’t — this game was meaningless. The first time this year I’ll care about a Cubs/Cardinals game will be Friday, May 24 — almost two months from now — when the t...2024
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• Cubs 6, Reds 6: The future on display

Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images Some guys who will be a big part of the team’s future put together a late-inning rally. MESA, Arizona — The Cubs started quite a few of their regular players Tuesday at Sloan Park, and they got no-hit for six innings, and the Reds put together two rallies in the seventh and eighth to take a 6-0 lead. Instead of guys from the minor lea...2024
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• Arizona Fall League: Mesa Solar Sox final update

Jose Romero | Photo by Chris Coduto/MLB Photos via Getty Images The Solar Sox finished the AFL season on a winning streak, but fell short of a playoff spot. The Arizona Fall League regular season is now over. The Mesa Solar Sox finished with a three-game winning streak to close to season, but that only moved them out of last place and into a tie for fourth place out of six. At 14-16, the ...2023
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• Cubs 12, Dodgers 4: Welcome to our robo-ump overlords
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Juan Soto signs with New York (Mets)
2024

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• Minor League Wrap: Four teams, six wins and no losses today in the minors
Manuel Espinoza | Larry Kave/Myrtle Beach Pelicans Some great pitching and timely hitting meant the Cubs minor league system had a rare 6-0 day. I took the day away from watching the games because of some family obligations. But I’m here to recap the action anyway—just forgive me if I missed something important. They did so well that I’m probably banned from ever watching again. I’m sure i...2023
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• Minor League Wrap: Iowa wins 4th-straight with 4 home runs tonight
Jake Slaughter | Margaret Kispert/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Iowa blasts their way to their 4th-straight win. The rest of the system came up short. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs burned the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers), 10-2. It was Iowa’s fourth-straight win. Starter Nick Neidert got the win after five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Neidert walked one and struck out one. Codi Heu...2023
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• Cubs 8, Rangers 6: The power barrage continues
2024

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• Cubs 6, Reds 6: The future on display
2024

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• Minor League Wrap: South Bend proves to River Bandits that crime does not pay, 6-1
Max Bain | Max Thoma/South Bend Cubs Myrtle Beach wins in a walkoff. South Bend just wins. The Cubs released right-handed pitcher Rowan Wick today. Outfielder Cristian More was promoted back to Myrtle Beach. He started this season with the Birds but was demoted to the complex league at the end of May. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs were raided and boarded by the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), ...2023
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• Get to know the Tennessee Smokies
2024

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• Minor League Wrap: Morel, Iowa blast the Storm Chasers, 14-1
Christopher Morel | Margaret Kispert/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Iowa continues to pound the ball with no mercy. As does Owen Caissie in Tennessee. Iowa had twice as many runs as the rest of the system combined. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs blasted the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 14-1. I-Cubs starter Nick Neidert picked up his first win of the year after giving up just one run on four ...2023
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• Minor League Wrap: Crow-Armstrong leads Iowa past Louisville, 7-5

Pete Crow-Armstrong | Dylan Heuer Iowa hangs on to win. Brennen Davis has a good rehab game. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs burned the Louisville Bats (Reds), 7-5. Starter Caleb Kilian pitched 4.2 innings and was touched for two runs, one earned, on five hits. Kilian walked one and struck out three. Because Kilian came one out short of five innings, the win went to Samuel Reyes in relief. But Rey...2023
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• Minor League Wrap: Luis Vazquez home run, 3 RBI leads Iowa over Omaha, 6-5
Luis Vazquez | Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images Just Iowa won today, and they won late Right-handed pitcher Brody McCullough was officially promoted to High-A South Bend. Outfielder Christian Franklin was sent from South Bend to the ACL Cubs. Iowa Cubsv The Iowa Cubs rained on the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 6-5. Jordan Wicks’ Triple-A debut was a mixed bag. Wic...2023
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• Minor League Wrap: McGeary stays red-hot as South Bend smote Beloit, 10-2
Haydn McGeary | Greg Swiercz / USA TODAY NETWORK South Bend breaks out the lumber on Beloit. The Pelicans come back down 5-0 to win. The Smokies get no-hit. Not a good day for the Smokies, who were no-hit in one of their two games. But it was a good day for South Bend and Myrtle Beach. I realize that every game Ben Hecht pitches belongs on The Front Page, but the real news is in South Be...2023
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1. White Sox

2. World Series

3. Red Sox

. . .

3076. Christian Franklin

• Cubs prospects throttle Angels prospects in Spring Breakout Game, 8-3
2025

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• Cubs vs. Padres at Mesa preview, Tuesday 3/4, 2:05 CT
2025

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• Cubs 7, White Sox 3: The wins just keep on coming

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images The Cubs looked sharp against their crosstown rivals. MESA, Arizona — It’s pretty sad when, apart from Luis Robert Jr., the most recognizable member of the White Sox travel squad that appeared at Sloan Park Saturday was their manager, Will Venable, who was a Cubs coach from 2018-20. Oh, I guess their starting catcher Saturday, Matt Thaiss, was a Cub for about...2025
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• Names to watch for the Rule 5 Draft: 2024 Edition
2024

Click for news about Jill Weisleder
• Outside The Confines: Juan Soto signs with New York (Mets)
2024

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• Cub Tracks flies coach

Casey Jacobson, on his X page. #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. One rung up. Daniel Moskos goes south, and other stories. WELCOME to today’s episode of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in writers’ tears, and t...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: Owen Caissie homers twice and Cam Smith extends his home run streak to 6
2024

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• Minor League Wrap: Matt Shaw’s 1st Iowa HR leads I-Cubs past Columbus, 4-3

Matt Shaw | Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images Everyone wins today as pitching dominates. Except South Bend’s offense exploded too. My Cedar Rapids Kernels puns are so corny. Everyone wins! And unlike yesterday, no one loses! The four teams combined to allow six runs today. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs sunk the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 4-3. Starter Brandon Birdsell had a little trouble ...2024
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• Minor League Wrap: Kilian bounces back with solid rehab start as Iowa splits doubleheader
2024

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• Braves Minor League recap: Blake Burkhalter throws a shutout
2024

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• Minor League Wrap: South Bend proves to River Bandits that crime does not pay, 6-1
2023

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