The Chicago Cubs had a pretty exciting Thursday night throughout their minor league system and it was highlighted by the South Bend Cubs pitching a combined no-hitter against the Peoria Chiefs.

Michael Arias, who made his second start at Advanced A-Ball with South Bend after dominating low-A with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, wasn’t all that sharp on Thursday. The 21-year-old righty walked four batters and hit another, but Arias didn’t cave under pressure and ended up striking out five hitters to get out of trouble. Because of several deep counts, Arias only lasted three innings after his pitch count reached 72.

After Arias, South Bend turned to 26-year-old Jaron Wright, who ended up getting the win after pitching four shutout innings. The righty struck out two and walked one, as Peoria was swinging early and often against Wright, who only needed 45 pitches to get through four innings.

Eduarniel Nunez breezed through the eighth inning, striking out a pair of hitters and then Frankie Scalzo Jr. sealed the no-hitter in the ninth.

That was the first no-hitter thrown by the South Bend Cubs since Aug. 12, 2021.

Kevin Alcántara Proving Haters Wrong

I mean yeah, haters is an aggressive word, but it’s still ridiculous that Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara entered the 2023 minor league season considered a top-100 prospect and after one bad month he was removed from the list. Who could have ever thought that it might take a little bit of time for a 20-year-old to adjust to a new level of competition, which for one he’s facing players older than him and secondly, it was cold as shit playing for South Bend in spring.

Alcántara had a solid first month with the South Bend Cubs, posting a 110 wRC+ in April, when he slashed .256/.302/.449, in 19 games. That just goes to show you that putting up good offensive numbers doesn’t come easy in the Midwest League. May was brutal for Alcántara, as he recorded a woeful 39 wRC+ after he was only able to put up a .498 OPS in 88 plate appearances.

But guess what, Alcántara has made adjustments and since the beginning of June the right-handed hitting outfielder is playing like the top prospect everyone thought he was to start the season.

Kevin Alcántara Since June
26 Games, 109 Plate Appearances
.330/.404/.536, .940 OPS, 167 wRC+
4 HR, 21 RBI, 17 R, 6 2B, 1 3B, 26 K, 12 BB
23.9 K%, 11 BB%

Oh and Alcántara also makes plays like this in center field.

Overall this season, Alcántara is back up to a 110 wRC+, which ranks 5th best among players 20-years-old or younger in the Midwest League at Advanced A-Ball.