South Bend Cubs Catcher Owen Ayers Named Midwest League Player of the Week
Published on April 20, 2026 under Midwest League (MWL)
South Bend Cubs News Release
South Bend, IN - South Bend Cubs catcher Owen Ayers was selected as 'Midwest League Player of the Week' after shining both at the plate, and behind the plate, in this past week's series win over the Beloit Sky Carp.
Ayers, who had played in all 11 games this season before sitting with a scheduled off-day on Sunday, has an 11-game on-base streak to begin the campaign. In five games against Beloit, Ayers went 8/17 with four home runs and eight RBI.
In South Bend's prior road series at Peoria, Ayers crushed the ninth-inning go-ahead home run to help the Cubs win the series finale on April 12. The switch-hitter tied the South Bend Cubs record (since 2015) by slashing a round-tripper in four straight games; Joining Alexander Canario, who did it in both 2021 and 2022.
With four home runs in the Beloit series, Ayers hammered five homers over a six-day period. Sitting at six total home runs in just 11 games, only 11 Major League players, and seven Minor League players have more than him.
Ayers has also starred behind the plate with the Cubs, and already has six total base runners caught stealing this season. That ranks in the top-25 among all catchers in Minor League Baseball.
Ayers and the South Bend Cubs will hit the road Tuesday for a six-game series at Day Air Ballpark in Dayton, Ohio to take on the Dragons. First place South Bend has back-to-back series wins to start the season for the first time ever as a Chicago Cubs affiliate. Tuesday's first pitch is set for 7:05 PM EST, with the game and series being aired live on 96.1 FM and 960 AM Sports Radio WSBT.
Midwest League Stories from April 20, 2026
- Captains of the Week (4/14-4/19/26): Jogly García & Aaron Walton - Lake County Captains
- Toyota Road Report: April 21-26 - South Bend Cubs
- Dayton Dragons Upcoming Homestand Preview (April 21 - April 26) Presented by AES Ohio - Dayton Dragons
- Bohorquez Transferred to 7-Day IL; Kendle Activated from Temporarily Inactive List; Genth Transferred to Fort Myers - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- South Bend Cubs Catcher Owen Ayers Named Midwest League Player of the Week - South Bend Cubs
- Peoria Chiefs Homestand Highlights: Chiefs Set to Host Cedar Rapids April 21-26 - Peoria Chiefs
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.
Other Recent South Bend Cubs Stories
- Toyota Road Report: April 21-26
- South Bend Cubs Catcher Owen Ayers Named Midwest League Player of the Week
- Cubs No-Hit in 10-0 Series Finale Loss to Beloit
- Cubs Capture Beloit Series with Comprehensive 12-5 Win
- With 6-5 Loss to Beloit, Cubs' Win Streak Ends at Six
