Bryant, Schwarber impressive after promotions
Kris Bryant made his Class AAA debut a memorable one Thursday night in a 6-2 victory for Iowa over El Paso in Des Moines.
The Cubs this week promoted Bryant from Class AA Tennessee to Iowa after he tore up the Southern League. In Thursday night's game, Bryant hit a 2-run homer in the seventh inning.
"It's definitely been a memorable week for me," Bryant told the Des Moines Register. "I tend to set my expectations really high, and if I'm not going for the stars, then I shouldn't be playing this game."
At Tennessee, Bryant batted .355 with 22 home runs He was the subject of much media attention in his Triple-A debut. He was the Cubs' first-round draft pick last year and the second overall selection out of the University of San Diego.
"It's a little overwhelming, but this is what baseball's about," Bryant told the Register. "It comes with the job. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm having the time of my life."
The Bryant promotion forced the Cubs to send third baseman Christian Villanueva from Iowa to Tennessee. The Cubs also promoted hard-throwing reliever Arodys Vizcaino to Iowa and sent pitcher Frank Batista from Iowa to Tennessee. Villanueva went 2-for-5 Thursday for Tennessee, with his single in the seventh inning providing the go-ahead run in a 4-3 win over Chattanooga.
Cubs catcher Welington Castillo, who is on the disabled list, was supposed to begin a rehab stint Thursday at Iowa, but he was scratched after a weather delay.
Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs' top pick this year, made his Kane County Cougars debut Thursday after earning a quick promotion from short-season Class A club Boise.
The Cougars beat Cedar Rapids 7-0 in a rain-shortended game. Schwarber had an RBI single in the third inning for the Cougars. Schwarber batted third and played left field. The Cougars host Cedar Rapids tonight at 6:30.
• Follow Bruce on Twitter @BrucesMiles2112.