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40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

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Game 66 Recap: Cubs 0, Braves 2

A Loss, or a Metaphor?
W - Vazquez (5-6)
L - Dempster (4-5)
S - Soriano (6)
Things to Take from This Game

 

1. An Evening Full of Singles and Scoring Opportunities...
The Cubs had 9 hits off of Vazquez, all of them singles, and another hit off of Soriano in relief. 

 

2. ...That Leads to Nothing but a lot of Getting Left Stranded on Second Base.
The Cubs left 12 men on base.  Perhaps most confounding was the decision to let Blanco bat with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth. 

 

3. But at Least there are Consolation Prizes?
We can be happy that Dempster had a fine performance, gutting out 6.2 innings in the Atlanta heat.  He still had some control problems, but other than McLouth, the Braves struggled to do much against him.  And that has to make up for some of the frustration at getting shut out, right?

 

The futile details, below.

Game Recap
Inning 1 - Top
  •  Wow, we have a funky lineup tonight.  It works, initially, with Theriot leading off the game by singling sharply to the left of the shortstop.
  • Then, not so much, as Fukudome grounds into a 4-6-3.  I miss it as I'm synching up my mlb.tv.
  • Fox singles to left. I miss that, too. Ok, now back on it.
  • Wow, Len with a FanGraphs.com reference, saying that Dempster and Vazquez get more swings and misses than anyone in the game. (By percentage, I take it?  Wasn't fully explained.  In any case, go Len!)
    • (researching... Ok, this is what Len is referencing.  Indeed, he's correct.)
  • Lee with a sharp single in front of McLouth in center, extending the hit streak. Fox to second.
  • 3-2, 2 out pitch to Hoffpauir, a big off-speed curve and he swings over and in front of it.
Inning 1 - Bottom
  • Dempster strikes McLouth out on a slider, I think, diving inside toward his knees.  Nasty pitch.  McLouth also lost a bat into the stands, earlier in the AB. 
  • Kelly Johnson with an easy bouncer to Fontenot at third.
  • Jones walks on an outside fastball
  • McCann sends a lazy fly to Hoffpauir, easy inning for Dempster.  Three hits, no runs.
Inning 2 - Top
  • Larry Rothschild is away at a funeral, Lester Strode is tonight's pitching coach.
  • Big looping curve to Fontenot.  It's up in the zone and he singles to center.
  • Blanco slices one to left, where Garret Anderson makes a bit of an awkard catch right on his hip.
  • Three quick strikes to Dempster, the last one a fastball on the outside corner, looking.
Inning 2 - Bottom
  • Dempster's kid will be leaving the hospital soon, reports Len.  Here's to good news. 
  • 3-2 count to Anderson, he flies out to Fox in left.  Len cheers for a hop as the ball's in the air, but no, just a plain old catch.
  • Kotchman with a soft liner to Fontento
  • Len reminds us that we can vote for the All Star game starters.  I'm sorry, but there's no way I'm voting for Soriano to overtake Beltran for the third outfield spot.
  • Francouer grounds to Theriot, who makes a bad throw to Lee.  Lee with the nice pick at first.
Inning 3 - Top
  • Theriot with another single into center.
  • 0-2 to Fukudome, k's swinging at a fastball.
  • Fox with a soft fly to Francouer
  • 3-1 to Lee, he drives a fastball to deep right center, but McLouth tracks it down.
Inning 3 - Bottom
  • Diory Hernandez (who!?!?) the shortstop hitting .192 with a leadoff walk.  Vazquez with a perfect bunt up first to advance him. 
  • Cubs have five hits, no runs.  McLouth gets the Braves' first hit, singling softly to center, and it scores Hernandez. 0-1 Braves
  • and McLouth gets a nice jump, steals second.  A high breaking pitch, throw is a bit to the right side of the bag.  Theriot catches it way in front of the bag.  31st consecutive successful steal for McLouth.
  • and now Johnson walks.  Soto out to talk with Dempster.
  • Full count to Chipper.
  • Hit and run, Chipper K's and Soto nails the previously unnailable McLouth at third.  Soto suddenly 7 for his last 11 in stolen base attempts. Nice way to get out of a big jam.
Inning 4 - Top
  •  Hoffpauir grounds to Johnson
  • Soto K's swinging
  • Fontenot with a bouncer back up the middle, Hernandez comes over to get it and makes a nice running throw.
Inning 4 - Bottom
  • Curve in the dirt, McCann tries to check his swing, but on appeal it's strike three.
  • Anderson lines a double just out of Hoffpauir's reach, bouncing up against the right-field wall. 
  • Kotchman chops back to Dempster, who catches Anderson off of second.  Dempster runs right at him, driving him back to second.  Flips to Theriot, who chases him toward third, before flipping to Fontenot for the out.  Kotchman holds at first.  Nice play.
  • Francouer lines one just out of Fukudome's left, is able to stretch it into a double.  Runners at 2 and 3, 2 outs for Hernandez.  Len and Bob note that Dempster is taking a lot of time, laboring in the Atlanta heat.
  • Fastball just off the corner, full count to Hernandez.  Comes back with a nice slider for called strike three.

Inning 5 - Top
  • Interesting.  LouPa wanted to give Theriot a night off, but with Reed Johnson ailing, he wound up needing to put Fox in left, instead of third.  The plan had been to have Fox, Blacno and Fontenot at 3rd, Short and 2nd.  But no go.
  • Blanco singles into left-center.
  • Dempster pops a bunt foul, McCann runs for it, slides, and crashes head and knees first into the padding of the wall.  Shaken up, seems to be ok. Eventually, Dempster gets down the bunt back to Vazquez.
  • Theriot cues one out to Johnson at second, Blanco to third.
  • 1-2 to Fukudome, he watches a fastball sail past that, someone, is called a ball. phew.
  • 3-2 curve to Fukudome, he flies out to Francouer.  We've had a few chances to get to Vazquez, and turned up nothing.
Inning 5 - Bottom
  •  Vaquez K's swinging at a slider out of the zone.
  • McLouth grounds back to Dempster.
  • 3-0 to Johnson, fastball over for the strike.  Eventually loses him to the walk.
  • Chipper with a solid liner to right-center, Fukudome gets over, but Jones makes it in to second.  Johnson holds at third.  two outs for McCann.  Dempster better be pitching around him to get to Anderson...
  • A lot of sliders later, full count, and Dempster gets a slider up.  McCann lines it hard to Lee, who makes the catch.   Phew.
Inning 6 - Top
  • Fox flies toward the left field line, Anderson gets it.
  • Full count to Lee.  Eventually rolls out to short.
  • Hoffpauir bounces one back up the middle, just to the right of Johnson.  (Check that, Johnson take out with leg cramps, Martin Prado in.)
  • and Cox and a trainer are coming out to check with Vazquez. BJB had been mentioning that Vazques was looking a bit tired this inning, and he does look kind of spent right now.  Bullpen starts warming up.
  • Soto singles up the middle as well, this time just left of the bag.  8 hits, all singles for the cubs.  Runners at 1 and 2, 2 outs.
  • 3-0 count to Fontenot.  Slider for a strike, walks on the next pitch.  Loaded for Blanco.
  • We learn Bradley is 3-18, Soriano 2-9 against Vazquez.  Perhaps why Blanco gets to hit.  I dunno, I think it would be worth bringing someone in for this AB...
  • ball 1 to Blanco.  Fastball down the middle for a strike.  Fastball outside, 2-1.  Blanco flies the next one to straight-away center, inning over.  8 LOB through 6.
Inning 6 - Bottom
  • Ripping off the Sausage Race, in Atlanta they have the Tool Race.   There are just too many possible jokes here.
  • And as long as we're pointing things out for others to joke about, the Drill wins, but wow, the drill bit is.... limp.
  • Anderson singles past Theriot, diving to his right. 
  • Kotchman weakly singles to second, Blanco gets the force to Theriot, but too slowly hit to get Kotchman at first.
  • Francouer reaches for a slider and just does feather it over Dempster's head, into center for a single.
  • Hernandez rolls right to Theriot, who starts a nice 6-4-3.
Inning 7 - Top
  • Dempster has thrown 105 pitches, and Miles was coming out to pinch hit.  But Dempster seems to have talked his way into staying in, so down 1-0 in the 7th, Dempster leads off the inning. 
  • Six pitches later, called strike three.
  • Theriot with another one back up the middle, this time Prado gets to it, makes the out.
  • Fukudome walks.
  • Full count to Fox, he chops one into the left-side hole.  Hernandez gets to it, makes a strong throw, but Fox just does beat the throw at first.  (Or does he?)
  • That chases Vazquez after 116 pitches, Peter Moylan in.
  • Lee with a lazy fly out to Francouer. 10 stranded in the game.

Inning 7 - Bottom
  • Gregor Blanco pinch-hits for Moylan.  3-0 count, Dempster comes back for called strike three on a high curve.  Thanks for the help, ump. 
  • McLouth lines a fastball up over the plate into right, one-hopping the wall for a double.
  • Prado singles, McLouth to third.  LouPa comes out to check on Dempster, and leaves him in.  LouPa really trying to save the bullpen tonight, it seems.
  • Chipper drives one to the warning track in center, for an easy sacrifice fly.  0-2 Braves. Prado advances from first to second.  Marshall in to face McCann. 118 pitches, 8 hits, 4 walks, 6 K and 2 ER for Marshall.
  • McCann pulls one to Blanco's left, he makes a nice stop, throws him out.
Inning 8 - Top
  •  Mike Gonzalez in to pitch for Moylan.
  • Hoffpauir with a very, very high fly ball to center.  Too high to be a home run.< /Major League>
  • Soto wiffs at a slider, I think, that dips across the outside corner.
  • Fontenot grounds to Prado's left at second, makes the play.
Inning 8 - Bottom
  • Hart in to pitch.
  • Garret Anderson with a soft grounder to Fontenot.  Easy out.
  • Kotchman falls to his knees, trying to avoid a pitch near his feet.  Kind of funny.  Walks on a slider that misses the outside corner.
  • Francouer hits a soft fly into shallow right, and Hoffpauir makes a nice belly-flop dive for the catch.
  • And after turning the wrong way, Hoffpauir catches a drive from Hernandez at the warning track.
Inning 9 - Top
  • Diaz in to play left, and Rafael Soriano in for Gonzalez. Double switch.
  • Blanco swings and falls to a knee, but manages to single into left field.
  • Bradley hits for Hart, K's swinging at a pitch in the dirt.
  • Theriot also K's swinging at a tough slider.
  • Blanco takes second uncontested.  3-0 to Fukudome.  Walks.  Tying runs on base for Jake Fox, two outs.
  • Fastball strike 1 to Fox.
  • A bit of a hanging slider, Fox is out in front of it, strike 2.
  • Fastball on the low and outside corner, perfect pitch, called strike 3.  12 stranded for the night.
Inning 9 - Bottom
Parachat Recap
Inning 1
  •   Settling in.
  • Andrew, CincyKid rally the forces for a good parachat to recap...
  • Sawing him off at the bat knob.  Oh my.
  • The McLouth trade.
  • Braves' shabby treatment of Glavine.
  • CincyKid gets his first "oh,honey!" task of marriage.  In the middle of a Cubs game. 
Inning 2
  • Oh my. 
  • More on the Pirates
  • How hot IS it?
  • Drugs to take when going with the kids to see Transformers.
  • Remembering when we regretted trading away Willis, and knew that Lee was finished.
  • Is it too early to mention Dempster's pitching a hmm-hmm?
    • yes, damnit, that's why I called it a hmm-hmm and not a no-no, Cincy Kid.
      • damnit, now you made me do it.
  • Beltran onthe DL
  • Father's day gifts.
Inning 3
  • What did Andrew and AngelFanWife get Rob for father's day?
  • Jacos declares that Charlie Brown would be justified in smacking Lucy.
  • Newport.
  • Do I dress like Charlie Brown?
    • No.
  • It's Rob's birthday.  Way to have been born, Rob.  We're proud of you.
  • Rob and Al are Friends.
  • Torrance, CA.
  • Ammonia sniffing
  • Eamus-catuli's overly technical explanation of his connection to the porn industry.
  • I am very, very confused.
  • In the midst of all the talk about the porn industry, Ryno emits a curious *groan*

Inning 4
  •  No one cares about Whip's health
  • Is getting traded from Pittsburgh to Atlanta really an improvement?
  • Attempting to list Cox's couches [sic] that go on to manage
    • Sofa, so good!  Hah!  I crack myself up
  • Horror Punk.
  • Guys your age who are dead.
  • Eye shit.
  • The price of dairy is doubling?!
  • Chicago politics.
  • Bible tokers.
  • Hoffpauir deserves a head-start when he plays defense.
  • Craving some Anderson.
  • "If ballplayers were animals, Hoffpauir would be a holstein" - Ryno.
  • Milking ballplayers.
  • Remember when Hendry went after.....
    • Garret Anderson
    • Jason Schmidt
    • Jake Peavy

Inning 5
  •  Making a backwards K in parachat.
  • Moneyball, the Movie
  • Holy Moly, it's Chad.
  • Theriot's throws from short, compared to Dunston's.
  • Re-hashing some TCR drama between parachatters that took place in the comments, that I know virtually nothing about to begin with, and understand even less about, now that I've followed along in the re-hashing session.   It appears that they've kissed and made up.  Except I didn't see nearly enough kissing.
  • Explaining away Sosa's "false positive."  heh.
  • Hitting like leadoff men, sans the sub-.300 OBP and the power.
  • Time to retire the song "Jump"?
    • never.
  • Parachat flaunts its old-school street cred. Hilarity ensues.  Only no one seems aware that it's ensuing.
  • Pulling a Trans.
  • Jewdicious.  lolol  
Inning 6
  •  The Fatburger and Sliders.
  • Ryno misses steroids.
    • So do the A's
  • Paul Noce warns us about cocaine.
  • A's who've been linked to steroids.
  • "Marmol hit wells with a pie yesterday in the tunnel... only took 3 tries to hit him" - Crunch
  • The Girl from Ipanema
  • Most important AB of the game so far, and Parachat is telling jokes like "What did the Drummer get on his IQ test?  Drool."  Good grief.
  • Racing Tools.
Inning 7
  •  Panning the decision to keep Dempster in.
  • Recipies.
  • odd moving parings.
  • AC/DC.
  • the NY Punk scene of the 1970s.  Because it hasn't been discussed enough, by enough people who fit this profile.
Inning 8
  •  Clearly, I'm missing something about this photo.  It must be a pun on something I'm too young to know about.
  • Parachat degenerates into wanton obscurantism as an end unto itself.
Inning 9
  • Parachat is going to buy me a third monitor and an intern, so that I may watch all the allegedly hillarious things Whip, Crunch and Paul Noce are finding on youtube.  My cup runneth over.
  • If I stop recapping, the terrorists win.
  • I stop.
  • Crap.
Cubs' record in games recapped on the computer that isn't powered by hampsters drops to 2-2. 
Tags

Comments

i really hate lou pinella. was anyone shocked that dempster couldn't get out of the 7th? why didn't he bring in marshall to face chipper? chipper is a weaker hitter from the right side followed by 2 lefties. and he lets dempster hit for himself to lead off the 7th. genius. and jake fox batting 3rd? oh and why is soriano and bradley sitting on the same day? i get it if guys need rest but Jesus!

[ ]

In reply to by Chad

The Bullpen really needed a rest with all the work it had gotten recently. So in a 1 run game I can see why he would try to maximize Dempster's outing. Anyways it was going to be Miles PH'ing for him anyway. Do you think it was likely that he would get a hit? The most aggresious non call to the bench was the Cubs previous at bat not sending Bradley out there. Vazquez was having control issues that whole inning and Blanco is not a patient hitter, while Bradley is the most likely person on the draw a walk. My guess is that Vazquez would be hestiant to go 1-0 to him that the first pitch would be a fastball in the zone, which Bradley could have been able to turn into a 2-run double at the least.

thought make-up game meant exhibition game?

Totally off topic, but did anyone catch the CWS game last night? It was a lot more exciting than watching the Cubs game, that's for sure. Anyway, LeMahieu came up huge with a game-tying double in the 9th (and had a HR in the 7th as well). LSU went on to win in the 11th. I don't if he's going to be a good pro or not, but he sure is fun to watch as a college player.

In the Sun Times, Ramirez says he "couldn't be happier" where he is and that he hasn't had any setbacks. But the Tribune quotes him as saying he is going to be in pain throughout the rest of the season. Having some trouble reconciling those...

I just noticed I have 3 mentions in this recap. I'm honored and grateful. I'd like to thank my mom, my agent, and God... I love you all *tears up*

[ ]

In reply to by granolaCUB

That was a really long game. Really long. I moved down to right behind the 3rd base dugout and hit my knees on the dugout as I jumped up. When Hill hit that ball I swore repeatedly, "Holy Shit... Holy Shit... HOLY SHIT! That was the hardest hit... HOLY FUCKING SHIT! THE DUDE ON THE ROOF HAS THE BALL! HE HIT THE BALL ONTO THE FUCKING ROOF! I am pretty sure that has never happened before!" If that is the greatest play I ever witness in person then I will die a happy man. If there is a better play I personally witness then that will be simply epic.

On a side note, Jay Jackson came through with another fantastic outing last night (okay, that's overstating it, I'd like to see him go longer more consistently). An interesting debate I was having with someone is how to view Jackson's "potential". That is, is he a potential "TOR" (say, a "2"), or is he more of a mid-rotation guy. To be honest, I've never found it all that interesting to draw that fine delineation (as I often use "2/3" as a numerical projection), but the comment had me thinking and I was curious what people thought about Jackson's potential as of now. Stuff wise, if his change keeps progressing, I think he's got that "TOR" #2 caliber stuff. Performance wise, it looks that way as well, provided he continues to refine his command. Anyhow, Jackson is certainly the most exciting guy in our system right now, IMO, and he's making the gap between Vitters and the rest very close (or maybe it should now be Vitters/Jackson, and maybe even Cashner, and the rest - Cashner had another solid outing today, 4 ip, 1 h, 4 K's).

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I don't expect Jackson to be anywhere near Harden or Oswalt when both were at the top of their game. When healthy, Harden was one of the most dominant arms out there, in the elite level. From 2001-2006, Oswalt was one of the top pitchers in the game. In Harden's case, health has always been an issue, and in Oswalt's case, I think father time has caught up a bit. Short of it is, I'm not expecting Jackson to be a "legit 1", as there are only about 10-15 of those guys in any given season. Whatever the delineation between a "2" and a "3" is, I don't claim to know how people draw that fine line(as I noted in the post). That said, the idea of Jackson being a potential top of the rotation guy versus a middle of the rotation guy, well, I'd make the argument that he is in the former. Again, all we're discussing is potential, but with 2 plus pitches and the makings of a solid 3rd pitch, no serious mechanical issues that have been noted, a healthy K rate in AA and an improving BB rate, I don't see why he wouldn't be considered for that.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

Well, you just don't know what wishcasting means. Athletic, comparatively short right handed pitcher with a very good fastball. Oswalt, for instance, didn't really take off until he hit AA age 22. Jackson isn't doing quite as well, but he's a little younger. He probably doesn't have the same fastball that Oswalt discovered that year, but it still seems to be a pretty good pitch.

[ ]

In reply to by Andy

from Sandberg's wikipedia page: "In 1990, Sandberg led the National League in home runs–a rarity for a second baseman–with 40. Sandberg was only the third second baseman to hit 40 home runs... Sandberg, Brady Anderson and Barry Bonds are the only players to have both a 40-homer (1990) and 50-steal (1985) season during their careers." Not very good company to share that record with.

Maybe this has been covered, but Peoria has six players, including three starters, on the East squad in the Midwest League all-star game tonight. Starters are Harrison, Vitters and Burke. Subs are Ridling, Carpenter and Buchter. Ridling won the HR derby yesterday.

back to the same old, with a DH... Sori, Theriot, Bradley, DLee, Hoffpauir (DH), Soto, Fontenot, Blanco and Z vs Granderson, Polanco, Cabrera, Thames, Kelly, Inge, Ordonez, Laird, Santiago and E Jackson (edit is my friend)

Gameday had Zumaya hitting 103 mph on his fastball. A majority of his pitches were at 100+. Unbelievable. Even more unbelievable, he throws an 85 mph change-up over the heart of the plate to Hoffpauir, who (after missing on the fastballs) clobbers it into the right field bleachers for a 2-run HR. Thank you, Micah Hoffpauir. Thank you, Joel Zumaya.

The thing that really sucks is now I can't even wish we still had Woody. Ah well -- Gregg did have 9 straigt outings without giving up a run. Last time was....when he served up a 2 run bomb to blow a win for Wells.

bwhahah...vlad cut his dreds today because he's been having trouble fitting his hair into his helmet. get a new helmet that's bigger with 10 lbs. less pine tar on it...or cut your hair...hmmm....

Blah blah blah, Kevin Gregg sucks... Kevin Gregg blows... blah blah blah... After you guys settle down I hope you'll realize blown saves happen. If Gregg makes a habit of it then we can talk.

Hendry is fucking idiot. Can't sign Wood, fine. Make Marmol the closer. If he can't hack it, trade later. i have this dream that through some bizarre set of circumstances i inherit the cubs tomorrow. first thing i do is go and fire lou pinella at home plate and pull Brenly out of the booth to manage the rest of the season. then i fire Hendry by twitter.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.