MWL South Bend Cubs

Ruoff Mortgage Homestand Preview May 18-23

May 18, 2021 - Midwest League (MWL)
South Bend Cubs News Release


Dayton Dragons

Affiliation: Cincinnati Reds

Miles from South Bend: 244

Last meeting: July 8, 2019 @ Dayton (Dragons 5, Cubs 4)

Record vs. Dayton:

Since becoming a Chicago Cubs Affiliate: 52-31

Since 2010: 92-66

Since 2005: 149-102

The Dayton Dragons come to South Bend for the first and only time this season. They enter the ballpark as co-leaders of the High-A Central's Eastern Division, tied with the Lake County Captains with an 8-4 record. Famous for a record home sellout streak of over 1,300 games (go to southbendcubs.com to help us take that crown), the Dragons have been a Cincinnati Reds affiliate since 1999 and were a Cubs affiliate in the three seasons prior.

Last season, the Cubs won eight of thirteen games against the Dragons. This year, Dayton was victorious in their first road series, taking five of their first six on Opening Week against Great Lakes, and they split last week's series with Lansing at Day Air Ballpark.

Dayton's roster boasts four of Cincinnati's top 30 prospects, including three pitchers. Here are some players to watch heading into the homestand:

Dragons to Watch...

Brian Rey, INF: Though he is not one of the four ranked prospects on Dayton, there is no hotter hitter in the High-A Central right now than Brian Rey. Rey leads the league in batting average (.450), runs batted in (16), home runs (6), and hits (18). In addition, he has only struck out twice in 40 at bats, which is tied for the lowest amount among qualified players. Rey can play in the infield and outfield, primarily at second base or centerfield, and his combination of speed and power makes him dangerous from the leadoff spot of the Dragon lineup.

Noah Davis, RHP: The Dragon's series-opening starter has been solid in his first full season of pro ball, allowing just two hits and three runs (all earned) in his first ten innings. Each of Davis' starts have lasted five innings, and he has only allowed one hit while striking out eight hitters in each appearance. Davis consistently brings three pitches to the table, relying on a low-to-mid-90s fastball, a mid-80s slider and a mid-70s curveball. He is also developing a fading changeup as a fourth pitch. While Davis has relied on his control throughout his career, he has walked six and hit two batters so far this year. South Bend could see the Reds' 29th-ranked prospect in the first and last games of this series.

Michael Siani, OF: Siani may not have had the hottest start to 2021, but he is the highest-ranked Reds prospect on the Dragons' roster. He comes to South Bend hitting .216 with two RBIs. This is Siani's second season in Dayton, and he hit two home runs and drove in three runs against South Bend in 2019. While his offensive numbers don't jump off the page, his defensive numbers do. Siani is widely regarded as the best defensive outfielder in the Reds' system and the fact that he has only committed four errors in three seasons as a pro support that claim. His speed and arm strength make him adept at tracking balls in the gap and throwing out runners from anywhere in the outfield. Siani is a solid contact hitter as well, and he is a threat on the basepaths with 53 stolen bases over three seasons as a pro.

Cubs to Watch...

Nelson Velazquez, OF: A key cog in the 2019 Midwest League Championship season came back in a big way this weekend against Beloit. Nelson Velazquez drove in the go-ahead run in his first game in Saturday's loss, and powered the Cubs with two RBIs in his five at-bats on Sunday's win, including a monster solo home run. Velazquez is coming off a career year in South Bend, where he set highs in batting average (.286) RBIs (34) and hits (75). He will provide some much-needed power to the South Bend lineup as he looks to improve upon a solid first two games.

Matteo Bocchi, RHP: The side-winding reliever has typically been the first pitcher out of the bullpen for South Bend this season and has shown promise in adjusting to his first full season as a professional. Bocchi has thrown 6.2 innings for South Bend so far, striking out eight and walking just two. He has shown the ability to pitch multiple innings without diminishing his velocity, and his unorthodox delivery deceives hitters and gets them to chase pitches out of the zone.

D.J. Artis, OF: Another outfielder who returned to South Bend last week, DJ Artis provides an extra injection of speed at the top of the Cubs order. Artis began the season with South Bend last year, where he drove in 21 runs, stole 14 bases, and clubbed 13 doubles in 49 games. In 2021, Artis played one game in AAA Iowa, where he walked, stole a base, and scored in his only plate appearance. He has already swiped four bags and driven in two runs through his first five games with the Cubs in this season.

Probably Starters:

Tuesday, May 18: Chris Kachmar (0-1, 6.48 ERA) vs Noah Davis (0-2, 2.70 ERA)

Wednesday, May 19: Max Bain (0-1, 5.87 ERA vs Graham Ashcraft (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

Thursday, May 20: Derek Casey (1-1, 4.50 ERA) vs Spencer Stockton (2-0, 0.00 ERA)

Friday, May 21: Ryan Jensen (0-1, 6.43 ERA) vs Lyon Richardson (1-0, 1.35 ERA)

Saturday, May 22: Peyton Remy (1-1, 3.68 ERA) vs Eduardo Salazar (1-1, 3.00 ERA)

Sunday, May 23: Chris Kachmar (0-1, 6.48 ERA) vs Noah Davis (0-2, 2.70 ERA)

*Upcoming Promotions: *

Tuesday, May 18: Triple Play Tuesday (Presented by Kayem Foods): Special package of a game ticket, hot dog and fountain soda for $12. The package must be purchased in advance

Tail Wagging Tuesday: Bring your dog to the ballpark to enjoy some South Bend Cubs baseball! Owners must sign a waiver before entry.

Wednesday, May 19: Replica 2019 Championship Ring Giveaway (Presented by South Bend International Airport): The first 1,000 ticketed fans through the gates receive a replica of our 2019 Midwest League Championship ring.

Thursday, May 20: Thirsty Thursday (Presented by Budweiser, Pepsi, and Real Rock 103.9 The Bear): Enjoy $2 Fountain Sodas (24 Oz.) and our 21-and-over fans can enjoy $2 domestic draft beer (16 Oz.) all game long.

Friday, May 21: Fantastic Friday Fireworks (Presented by 1st Source Bank, WNDU, and Sunny 101.5): Stick around after the game for a spectacular fireworks show!

Saturday, May 22: Flat Screen Saturday (Presented by WSBT-TV and Real Rock 103.9 The Bear): We are raffling off nine flatscreen TVs and giving them away throughout the game. If you are 18 and older, you can enter to win a 50-inch flatscreen TV!

Sunday, May 23: Sundae FUNday (Presented by Dairy Queen, B100 and ABC-57): A special Sunday for kids and families of all ages! Fans can play catch on the field after the game is over.

Championship Flag Giveaway (Presented by United Federal Credit Union): The first 1,000 ticketed fans through the gates can enter to win a flag that looks like our 2019 Midwest League championship banner.

The Voice of the South Bend Cubs, Darin Pritchett, has the call of every game on Sports Radio 96.1 FM WSBT, online at wsbtradio.com, or atMiLB.com.

Check out the South Bend Cubs Statistics



Midwest League Stories from May 18, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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