Arizona Phil's Archives
Cubs Learn Pleasures of a Walk in the Park
Leon Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, scoring pinch-runner Darwin Barney with the winning run, as the Cubs AZ Instructional League team edged the Oakland A's Instructional League team 5-4 this afternoon at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.
- Read more about Cubs Learn Pleasures of a Walk in the Park
- 21 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Windy City Classic 101
It's not only important for young Cubs players to learn the finer points of pitching, fielding, hitting, and base-running, it's also important for them to learn "Why We Fight" and which teams need to be targeted in a special way for defeat. So in what is the Arizona Instructional League version of the Windy City Classic, the Cubs defeated the White Sox 6-4 this morning at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.
- Read more about Windy City Classic 101
- 30 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Thursday Means Camp Day
Thursday was "Circus Day" on The Mickey Mouse Club, but Thursdays are "Camp Day" for the Cubs Arizona Instructional League team.
While some of you might think "Camp Day" is a day where the coaches take the Cubs players on a trip to the zoo or to the local water park, that's not exactly what it is.
- Read more about Thursday Means Camp Day
- 1 comment
- Log in or register to post comments
Cubs Tie! Cubs Tie!
In a possible preview of the World Series (well, maybe the 2015 World Series), the Cubs played the Angels this afternoon in Arizona Instructional League action at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa, and even though MLB Commissioner Bud Selig was not at the game (at least I don't think he was there), his presence was felt at the end, as the game was called after nine innings tied 1-1.
- Read more about Cubs Tie! Cubs Tie!
- 5 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Cubs Youngsters Drop One to A’s
The Cubs took a 3-1 run lead early, scoring two runs in the first inning and one in the second, but were unable to hold the lead, as the Oakland A's Arizona Instructional League team rallied to defeat the Cubs Arizona Instructional League team 6-4 this afternoon at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.
Cubs Win! Cubs Win! (for Instructional Purposes ONLY!)
While most Cubs fans were watching some stupid, meaningless, late-September game between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field, the REAL fans were gathered at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.
Here’s the Pitch
With Cubs manager Lou Piniella announcing that Rich Hill, Carlos Zambrano, and Ted Lilly will pitch the final three games of the regular season at Cincinnati (with Jason Marquis to pitch the Game #163 tie-breaker at Wrigley Field, if necessary), and with Pirates manager Jim Tracy announcing last night that Cub-killer
- Read more about Here’s the Pitch
- 97 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
If They Do It
With two weeks left in the 2007 MLB season, the Cubs lead the Brewers by one game. The Cubs also trail the Padres by four games in the Wild Card standings, in case that becomes an issue later.
- Read more about If They Do It
- 57 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Looking Ahead Post-2007 and into 2008
With several recent trades and other roster moves, here are the updated roster and salary projections for next off-season and 2008, as well as a list of Cubs minor leaguers assigned to the Arizona Instructional League, AFL, and HWL:
- Read more about Looking Ahead Post-2007 and into 2008
- 55 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
The Marshall-Cherry Relief Plan
Cubs manager Lou Piniella and pitching Larry Rothschild have been talking lately about the stress and strain Cubs relievers are under this month, what with the Cubs playing twenty days in a row, the "Dog Days" of August, and the pressures of a pennant race.
Both Cousin Larry and Uncle Lou have mentioned that on September 1st, bullpen reinforcements can be added, because that's when the rosters can be expanded from 25 to 40 players. And that's true. They are correct. But actually, they really don't have to wait that long...
- Read more about The Marshall-Cherry Relief Plan
- 22 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
2008 Cubs Roster and Payroll Projections
With Carlos Zambrano signing a multi-year contract extention today, here are some Cubs 2008 payroll and post-2007 off-season roster projections:
- Read more about 2008 Cubs Roster and Payroll Projections
- 11 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Appears Zambrano Contract Extension Imminent
The Daily Herald is reporting that the Cubs have called a 10:15 AM (CDT) press conference where they are expected to announce a multi-year contract extension for RHP Carlos Zambrano.
Zambrano, who is eligible to be a free-agent after this season, is presently signed to a one-year contract for a $12.4M base salary, plus another $2M+ in potential incentive bonuses related to All-Star selection (didn't get that), Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, a t
2007 Rule 4 Draft - Final Signing Update
The August 15th deadline has passed, and the first 68 players selected by MLB clubs in this past June's Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft) opted to sign, including all players selected in the 1st round and the Supplemental 1st round. A total of 98 of the first 100 players drafted ended up signing pro contracts.
The Cubs signed 33 of the 50 players they drafted, including the first 18, and 23 of the first 24. #1 pick Josh Vitters was signed with just hours to spare. Notables who got away include 25th round pick Victor Sanchez (third-baseman on the Team USA Junior National Team) and 33rd round pick and University of Texas catcher Preston Clark (the #1 catcher for Team USA who was rated the #5 college catcher going into the draft by Baseball America).
Here is the current status of players selected by the Cubs in the draft, as well as players signed as Non-Drafted Free-Agents (NDFA) after the draft, and 5th Year College Seniors and Draft+Follows (DNFs) signed prior to the draft:
- Read more about 2007 Rule 4 Draft - Final Signing Update
- 33 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Looks Like Mr. Tiggy’s Goin’ to Wrigley
Jeff Vorva at The Daily Southtown reports that sources are claiming the Cubs will call-up 24-year LHP Carmen Pignatiello from AAA before tonight's game at Wrigley Field versus CIN, and that RHP Sean Gallagher will be optioned to Iowa,
- Read more about Looks Like Mr. Tiggy’s Goin’ to Wrigley
- 22 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
Dope Survives Trip on Waiver Wire, O-Dog Released from Animal Hospital
Apparently the Baltimore Orioles had some problems with their waiver wire this week, because 1B Brian Dopirak has cleared Outright Waivers without being claimed, and has been assigned outright to Hi-A Daytona.
Recent comments
Cubster (view)
Kris Bryant to IL with low back strain. He’s keeping the Rockies docs busy.
crunch (view)
m.busch out here bunting for a hit with the infielders back.
it worked.
Arizona Phil (view)
Cubs recall RHSP Hayden Wesneski and select RHRP Colten Brewer from AAA Iowa (Brewer was Iowa's closer), option Luke Little and Daniel Palencia to Iowa, and transfer Julian Merryweather to the 60-day IL.
BTW, Brewer is out of minor league options in case that becomes an issue at some point.
Also, now that Merryweather has been transferred to the 60-day IL, he cannot be reinstated any earlier than June 5th.
Dolorous Jon Lester (view)
Busch has been great so far, but the Dodgers are one of the orgs I’m always leery of trading with. They’re so savvy about their internal scouting.
videographer (view)
Here is an interesting thought: There seems to be an assumption that the Cubs had to trade 2 prospects to get Busch with Almonte thrown in to even out the trade. What if the initial trade was Ferris for Busch, but Hoyer wanted Almonte (a cheap RP) and Hope was the ask from the Dodgers. This scenario makes the trade more complicated to ponder the future ramifications.
Arizona Phil (view)
Zyhir Hope and Reggie Preciado were co-MVPs at Cubs AZ Instructs last fall, and every MLB organization had scouts at the AZ Instructs games so Hope was well-known to everybody (and was clearly a Cubs Top 30 prospect with a bullet).
https://www.thecubreporter.com/cubs-2023-arizona-instructional-league-s…
azbobbop (view)
I can’t speak to how many organizations had newfound interest in Zyhir Hope but I did talk to a Dodger scout who told that the Ddodgers always had their on him.
I hardly think of my self as a “scout” but I saw a beautiful smooth left hand swing, easy power, an aggressive base runner as in very limited action, a good defensive player. He certainly caught my attention, moreso than anyone else on the ACL team last year.
George Altman (view)
Ditto. The can DFA him when they activate Taillon.
crunch (view)
cade horton with his 2024 AA debut of 4ip 4h 0bb 4k, 1r/0er is followed up even better...
4ip 1h 1bb 5K, 0r/er
he's still on a pitch count restriction, btw. he probably could have gone 6+ innings in both outings if he was off a leash.
crunch (view)
okay, officially done with hendricks as a starter.
dunno if counsell is there, but i'm there.