Sometimes it’s worth it to just got to a game with few expectations. The South Bend Cubs and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (T-Rats) complied and I had a most enjoyable afternoon as a result.

Each organization placed five of their top 30 prospects on their Hi-A rosters. Based on their current stats, I’d say they are all works in progress. Furthermore, too many players had sub-.200 averages, and nobody was among the offensive leaders in the MWL.

The first 1,000 fans got a Jackson Chourio bobble as we entered the ballpark. The 19-year-old outfielder is the Brewers #1 prospect and the #2 prospect in the game according to MLBPipeline.

After a steady drizzle on the ride up to Appleton, the weather settled into an overcast afternoon, marked by strong winds which would knock down several fly balls. It was a very nice day for baseball in the Midwest.

The Midwest League has been hi-A for the past couple of seasons so I was a little surprised to see so many young players on both rosters. The T-Rats have 7 21-year-olds on the roster and 2, 20-year-olds.

Kevin Alcantara, the Cubs #3 rated prospect is one of three 20-year-olds on the South Bend roster. He was acquired in the Anthony Rizzo trade with the Yankees. He had a nice 2022 for Lo-A Myrtle Beach, but has gotten off to a slow start.

Other than the savings on travel, and the company line, I don’t think the visiting players like the 6-game series. It might be easier on the system, but the Cubs seemed a little tired of the autograph collectors hanging by their dugout. It’s almost as if they stayed up late to watch the Chicago Cubs stink in Minneapolis this weekend. They had no pep in their collective step.

Instead of an inning by inning account, I’ll offer up my impressions of key players.

Alcantara is a gifted athlete and does not appear to be short in the confidence arena. He is a lean, 6’6 and can reach most any ball he wants to get to. Unfortunately, he knows how quick he is and seems to be playing the showboat. His arm is good, but not good enough that he can miss cut-off men. His cockiness led to some sloppy play on what should have been routine plays. He was 0-4 on the day and didn’t look all that interested.

It was hard to find much silver in the lining as the Cubs only mustered 3 singles and 2 unearned runs. In fact, after the “2-run outburst” in the 4th, they only produced one baserunner over the next five innings (and he was erased on a game-ending double play). Starting pitcher, Tyler Santana, was completely unremarkable in 4+ innings of work. Eduarnial Nunez closed out the game with 2 innings of so-so relief. This is the third year at South Bend for the 23-year old flamethrower. A Cubs official sitting next to me figured he was hitting triple digits-of course he had no idea where the ball was going.

When a team is 10-20 it’s pretty hard to find bright spots, but a couple guys did stick out for positive things. Among them was, leadoff hitter/second baseman Eric Brown Jr.(8th rated prospect). The 22-year-old was the Brewers 1st round pick in 2022. However, he’s off to a pretty mediocre start. That being said, he made most of the plays in the field, went 2-4 with a walk, 2 runs scored and 2 stolen bases. He has a funky stance/hitch but makes the most of his speed.

Third baseman Ben Metzinger isn’t among the Brewers top 30 prospects, but he did play like one. He went 3-5 with two runs batted in-he worked the count and came through on an afternoon when everyone was trying to hit the ball out of the park,

As is the case when a team only allows 3 singles, the Wisconsin staff came to play. Starter, Joe Hernandez surrendered all 3 hits, but limited the Cubs to the two unearned runs over 5 solid innings. Reliever Edwin Jimenez retired all 9 batters he faced without breaking a sweat, and Bo Bowman earned his 6th save (in six chances).

As is the case on the other side of town, the Cubs recent 1st round pick, Ed Howard, remains in Arizona. When I asked how the shortstop was doing, I got the typical Chicago answer, “He could be with us later this week or in a month, we don’t know with Howard.”

The Cubs James Triantos waiting for the throw and attempting to tag out the successful Eric Brown Jr.

Kevin Alcantra making a spectacular if unnecessary sliding grab and a picture that gives one a better impression of his size.

The game was played before 4,153 fans in only 2 hours and 19 minutes. The hometown Rattlers won 4-2 and improved to 11-20 and the Cubs fell to 17-15.