Snorting Bull Baseball Tour Day 3: Carolina Mudcats vs Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Day 3 of my summer baseball tour took my to Zebulon, North Carolina last night for a game between the Carolina Mudcats (Braves) and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs).  The two Carolina League squads both had a few notable prospects on the field last night, but the Mudcats were put away quickly by the Pelicans.  The game ended up being a rain shortened 12-0 win for the Pelicans in 8 innings.  Here's a few sights (no sounds, we were in the quiet section of the stadium) around Five County Stadium.

Quick video too.  This is Braves top pitching prospect Lucas Sims facing Cubs prospect Mark Zagunis.  Zagunis doubled in this at-bat and helped push the Pelicans lead to 6-0.  Sims has stuff, but seemed a little phased by the umpires strike zone, and the catcher for the Mudcats was playing some shaky d.  The first two runs of the game scored on pass balls.

Snorting Bull Baseball Tour Day 3: Carolina Mudcats vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans

This was originally scheduled to be the fourth game on my tour, but a stomach bug kept me home Friday afternoon on what was supposed to be another USA vs. Cuba game.  I am feeling better and it's always rough to figure out how you are going to squeeze an extra baseball game into your vacation.  Anyway, here's a look at this evening's game between the Braves and Cubs High A Ball Teams in the Carolina League.

The starters for the game were originally slated to be Brandon Barker for the Mudcats and Daury Torrez for the Pelicans.  However, Barker was moved up to Triple A Gwinnett this afternoon to make a spot start.  That actually leaves me with a chance to watch Braves top pitching prospects Lucas Sims.  He's off to a slow start in High A ball, with an ERA over 5 and a WHIP of 1.55, but he started out the same way last year before fishing the year strong.

The last game Sims started was actually for the GCL Braves against the GCL Yankees.  It did not go very well, but his last start for the Mudcats for a successful outing.

It was a a 7 inning game, part of a doubleheader, against the Salem Red Sox where Sims pitched a complete game with 6 Ks.  I am interested to see how he fairs today against a Myrtle Beach line up which hung sixteen runs on the Mudcats last night.  Here are the position players for the Mudcats.  None rank amongst the Braves notable prospects:

The Pelicans enter today in first place in the Southern Division of the Carolina League and own the league's best record.  Like most Cubs affiliates the Pelicans are built on offense.  The team ranks near the top of the Carolina League in runs per game and team OPS.  The Pelicans also have a few good pitchers on their roster, most notably, Duane Underwood who rates as one of their better pitching prospects.  

Top Prospect Billy McKinley also spent part of the season with Myrtle Beach, but has been promoted up to Double A with the Tennessee Smokies.  Mark Zagunis and Victor Caratini were also Top 20 Cubs prospects at the beginning of the year and might be closer to Top 10 prospects for the team given the number of prospects the team has graduated to the Majors this season.  Here's a look at the offensive players on the Pelicans....