Schwarber gives Cubs another power bat in minors

The Chicago Cubs appear to have a future power bat playing in the minor leagues. Make that two.

Everyone knows about third baseman Kris Bryant, who was promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs this week and homered in his first game in Des Moines. Catcher Kyle Schwarber was the fourth-overall pick in this year's draft and was promoted to Kane County of the Midwest League for the second half.

Schwarber is 3-for-6 in two games, both against the Cedar Rapids Kernels, including his first home run for the Cougars. The lefty hitter is from the University of Indiana.

'It's been great,” Schwarber told www.milb.com. 'It hasn't been too hard (of an adjustment) because the host families I've been with have been great. Players on both teams are great and coaches are great as well. They have taken me in … It could have been hard, but they've really helped me.”

Schwarber is the only 2014 first-rounder to be assigned to a Midwest League team thus far. The Minnesota Twins' top pick, high school shortstop Nick Gordon, is with Rookie-level Elizabethton.

The son of longtime former major league pitcher Tom Gordon is 4-for-10 in two games for E-town and likely won't play for Cedar Rapids until next season.

AROUND THE HORN

'Beloit outfielder Hershel 'Boog” Powell was named Most Valuable Player of last week's Midwest League All-Star Game at Comstock Park, Mich. Powell walked twice, doubled, scored three runs and stole two bases in the Western Division's 7-0 win over the Eastern Division.

'It meant a lot to be in this game,” Powell said. 'I had a lot of fun. There was no pressure.”

The Eastern Division did not record its first hit until the eighth inning. It finished with two.

'Former University of Iowa pitcher Matt Dermody is a member of the starting rotation for the Lansing Lugnuts. In 10 starts, he is 3-4 with a 6.20 earned run average. He was a 28th-round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays last year.

'2014 Hawkeyes draft picks and signees have begun their pro careers. Pitcher Sasha Kuebel has thrown one shutout inning thus far for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Cardinals.

Shortstop Jake Yacinich is 3-for-12 in four games for the Rookie-level Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League. He was a draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels.

'Former Cedar Rapids Washington prep Dakota Freese has been assigned to the Arizona Rookie League A's but has yet to pitch. Same goes for former Cedar Rapids Xavier prep Mitch Keller, who is with the Gulf Coast League Pirates. He signed a contract last week that included a signing bonus of $1 million.

'Former Warrior A.J. Puk is teammates with former Cedar Rapids Prairie prep Dustin Carlson on the Waterloo Bucks of the collegiate Northwoods League. Puk was considered a potential high draft pick last year but was set on playing college baseball and played a lot as a pitcher and position player for the University of Florida as a freshman. Carlson had a fine season as a relief pitcher at Long Island University in New York.

'Former West Delaware prep B.J. Hermsen made his first start of the season last week for Class A Fort Myers (Twins). Hermsen allowed four runs in three innings against St. Lucie. The 2012 Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the Twins has struggled the past two seasons and was sent from Double-A New Britain to extended spring training for a long period because of a concerning loss of velocity.

'Former Xavier prep Jon Keller (Mitch's older brother) has allowed just one earned run in his last seven appearances for Class A Delmarva (Orioles), spanning 16.2 innings.

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