Minor league updates on Rizzo, Jackson, Jokisch

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Fresh off of the first Epstein-Hoyer Draft, what better time to take our weekly look at the Cubs top minor league prospects in this weeks minor league wrap up.Yes, you guessed it. Anthony Rizzo had another stellar week for the Iowa Cubs. In limited action this week (4 games), the Cubs crown jewel went 6-for-12 (.500) with four runs, three doubles and an RBI. He did not strike out once in his 12 at-bats.Rizzo also deserves to be applauded not only for his play, but for his attitude during this arduous process. Somehow he has remained focused even in the face of constant talk of being called up. The unflappable 21-year-old brings a passion to the club house every day, and it hasnt gone unnoticed. Rizzo was named Cubs Minor League player of the month for the second time in a row in May. He hit .326 with nine doubles, a triple and 10 home runs. His 23 RBIs and .758 slugging percentage are even more reason to deem this the summer of Rizzo. You take your victories where you can get them, right?Brett Jackson continued his resurgence from mediocrity this week by going 10-for-25 (.400) with two homers, four RBIs and a.459 on-base percentage. To borrow a phrase from football coach Dennis Green, maybe he is who we thought he was. Jacksons production has sky-rocketed in the past two weeks, raising his batting average 33 points to .261. His recent climb has to be reassuring for Cubs scouts who labeled Jackson the top prospect in the organization at the beginning of the year.

The Tennessee Smokies called up Eric Jokisch from single-A Daytona last week, and he has proceeded to show us why. Jokisch looked untouchable in both starts last week. On Thursday he went 6.1 innings, allowing one run on one hit with a .053 batting average against. It was his six walks that led to the run, and ultimately a no decision for Jokisch. In his second start last week, the left-hander left nothing to chance, going seven innings while allowing no runs on five hits on his way to the win. Jokisch appears to be hitting his stride at the perfect time for the sub-.500 club searching for wins.Trey McNutt also continued his steady climb back to .500 this week after having a rough start to the season. McNutt was 1-for-1 last week in his only start. He surrendered a single run and was stingy on the bump, allowing only four hits in six innings. McNutt is now 3-4 and looks to be approaching mid-season form in his last few starts.

There have been few highlights this season for Single-A Daytona, but Cubs first baseman Greg Rohan has given fans something to cheer about. Rohan went 12-for-31 (.387) last week in seven games played. He also amassed six RBI's and a home run on his way to a .428 on-base percentage. Most impressively, Rohan peppered both outfield gaps for five doubles last week. He is finding his way on base by any means necessary and not only that, he is scoring at a consistent rate (33 runs scored on the season).In his first full week with Class A Peoria, Javier Baez did not disappoint. The Puerto Rican-born shortstop was 7-for-12 (.318) with five runs, five RBIs and two round trippers. Baez looks very comfortable in his role with the Chiefs, but if he continues to produce dont be surprised if he takes his next step forward in the system sooner rather than later.Joe Musso contributed to this report

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