Minor League Wrap: Kane Kepley leads Smokies past Shuckers

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Knoxville Smokies outfielder Kane Kepley (2) returns to the dugout following an inning against the Rocket City Trash Pandas during a Minor League Baseball game on Aug. 11, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

The Cubs signed free agent catcher Austin Wynns today and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa. Wynns had been designated for assignment by the Rangers last week.

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Iowa right-hander Tyler Santana, catcher Ethan Hearn and shortstop Ed Howard were all moved to the Development List.

Right-hander Cristopher Aranguren was promoted to Low-A Myrtle Beach from Mesa.

I don’t normally report on injuries, but South Bend outfielder Ethan Conrad went on the 7-day injured list. South Bend’s Reginald Preciado was activated off the 60-day IL.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were drenched by the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 9-6.

Javier Assad got the loss after pitching the first 3.2 innings and allowing three runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out two.

Hoby Milner pitched the sixth inning in a rehab assignment. He retired the side in order on nine pitches. No strikeouts.

First baseman BJ Murray came a home run shy of the cycle, going 3 for 5 with a double and a triple. Murray drove in four runs tonight and had one run scored.

Second baseman Ben Cowles was 2 for 4.

Matt Shaw played the entire game in left field in a rehab appearance and went 1 for 5 with a run scored.

James Triantos with a diving catch in center. He was o for 4 with a walk.

Murray with a two-run double.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies shelled the Biloxi Shuckers (Brewers), 9-4.

Kevin Valdez allowed three runs on five hits over his four inning start. Valdez walked three and struck out one.

Yenrri Rojas threw the next two innings and collected the win. Rojas gave up one run on one hit and one walk. He did not strike anyone out.

Tyler Ras retired the next six batters and Vince Reilly retired the side in order in the ninth to close out the win. Ras struck out two and Reilly fanned one.

Center fielder Kane Kepley hit a two-run home run in the third inning. It was his third Knoxville home run and ninth overall. Kepley reached base five times, going 1 for 2 with two walks and a hit by pitch. He also stole a base and scored twice.

DH Miguel Useche was 3 for 6 with a steal.. He scored one run and drove in one.

Right fielder Andy Garriola was 3 for 6 with one RBI.

Left fielder Carter Trice went 2 for 4 with a walk. He had one run batted in.

Kepley’s home run snuck past the right field foul pole.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs felt the venom of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), 4-3.

Jostin Florentino started and took the loss after the Rattlers got to him for three runs on five hits over 4.1 innings. Florentino struck out six, walked one and hit one batter.

Right fielder Alexey Lumpuy got South Bend on the board with a solo home run in the third inning. It was Lumpuy’s second home run in High-A and ninth overall. Lumpuy went 2 for 4.

In the eighth inning, first baseman Josiah Hartshorn hit a solo home run to get the Cubs to within a run. (And that’s where it would stay). It was Hartshorn’s 16th home run for South Bend and 21st overall. It was also his 100th RBI overall on the season. Hartshorn went 1 for 4.

Lumpuy’s home run.

Hartshorn’s blast was a new record for the South Bend Cubs. We don’t have distances in Appleton, but it went a long way.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans undressed the Augusta Green Jackets (Braves), 5-4.

Starter Jubrayker Salaya pitched four innings and allowed just one run on two hits. He struck out four and walked three.

Jordan Henriquez took care of the final 3.1 innings and got the win. Henriquez gave up one run on four hits. The one run came on a solo home run with two outs in the ninth. Henriquez struck out four and walked no one.

First baseman Jan Reyes hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth to break a 3-3 tie. Reyes went 1 for 4.

Earlier, left fielder Darlyn De Leon tied the game up 1-1 with a solo home run in the third. It was De Leon’s second home run this season. De Leon was 3 for 4 and also scored on Reyes’ single in the ninth. He also stole a base.

Third baseman Corey Nunez was 1 for 2 with two walks and a steal. He drove in one run and also sore on Reyes’ single in the ninth.

The De Leon home run.

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