Cubs Minor League Wrap: Angel Cepeda 2 HRs as South Bend cruises to 8-4 win

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SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Angel Cepeda #15 of the Chicago Cubs at bat during the ninth inning of a Spring Training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Iowa catcher Ethan Hearn and infielder Hayden Cantrelle were both activated off the Development List.

Right-hander Dominick Reid was promoted from Low-A Myrtle Beach to High-A South Bend.

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Outfieder Michael Gupton joins South Bend from the ACL Cubs.

South Bend right-hander Ethan Bell and outfielder Geuri Lubo both went on the Development List.

Shortstop Juan Tomas joins Myrtle Beach from Mesa.

It’s the final week of the season for Myrtle Beach and South Bend, although South Bend has playoffs to look forward to.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were seized by the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 7-6.

Kohl Franklin started this game and allowed three runs on five hits over 4.2 innings. He walked three and struck out two.

Edward Cabrera threw an inning of relief in a rehab assignment. He allowed a solo home run to the first batter he faced, but then got a ground out and two strikeouts to end the inning.

Luis Peralta could not find the plate and took the loss. Peralta allowed three runs on no hits and five walks over one-third of an inning. He did not strike anyone out.

First baseman Owen Miller doubled twice in a 3 for 5 effort. Miller drove in two and scored twice.

Right fielder Jordan Nwogu was 3 for 5 with an RBI double.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies blinded the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds), 12-3.

Kevin Valdez started and got the win after giving up two runs on just two hits over 5+ innings. Valdez struck out seven and walked two.

Left fielder Carter Trice hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, his 15th on the year. Trice was 1 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice.

Shortstop Karson Simas hit a three-run triple in the sixth inning. Simas was 2 for 3 with a walk and one run scored.

Right fielder Alex Ramírez had a bases-loaded, three-run double in the eighth inning. He was 1 for 5 with one run scored.

Trice’s home run.

Simas’ three-run triple.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs creamed the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins), 8-4.

Starter Jostin Florentino gave up three runs on six hits over 3.1 innings. Two of those hits were solo home runs. Florentino walked one and struck out four. Florentino also hit one batter.

Nate Williams took over for Florentino, pitched 1.2 innings without allowing a run, and got the win. Williams gave up two hits. He struck out two and walked no one.

Yoendris Gonzalez tossed the final 2.1 innings and got the save. He allowed no runs on one hit. Gonzalez struck out four and walked two.

Shortstop Angel Cepeda homered twice tonight. The first one was a two-run double in the fifth and the second one was a solo home run in the seventh. Cepeda was 3 for 4 with four RBI and three runs scored. Cepeda now as 11 home runs with South Bend and 12 overall.

First baseman Josiah Hartshorn hit a solo home run earlier in the seventh inning. It was Hartshorn’s 18th South Bend home run and 23rd overall. Hartshorn went 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored twice. Hartshorn has now raised his South Bend batting average above .300, with it now sitting a .302.

DH Kade Snell was 2 for 4 with an RBI triple. He also stole a base and scored twice.

A two-run double for Jose Escobar, who was 1 for 4.

Snell’s triple.

Cepeda’s first home run.

Hartshorn’s blast. As the post says, it set a new South Bend Cubs season RBI record.

Cepeda’s second home run went to almost the exact same place as the first one.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were hypnotized by the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), 13-6.

Starter Jubrayker Salaya got the loss after allowing three runs on five hits over three innings. Salaya struck out five and did not issue a walk.

Shortstop Alexis Hernandez hit his fourth home run of the season in the eighth inning. Hernandez went 3 for 4 with two RBI.

DH Corey Nunez was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI single in the ninth. He also stole a base and scored one run.

Third baseman Derniche Valdez was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Center fielder Caden Sorrell was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

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