Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Breakfast with the Cubs

The Angels edged the Cubs 8-7 in AZ Instructional League action this morning at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa, in what was the final 2009 Instructs game for the Cubs.

Because it was the last game and several  players were scheduled to depart home from Sky Harbor Airport at mid-day, the game started at 9 AM, and was called after eight innings.    

Only 11 Cubs position players and five pitchers were dressed for the game (others left town last night or early this morning, while a dozen more left a week ago), and two of the players in today's starting lineup (Jovan Rosa and Richard Jones) had to leave for the airport at 10:30 AM, so the Cubs used a nine-man batting order (only one DH today), and played with no extra men available in case of injury once Rosa and Jones left.

20-year old RHP Trey McNutt (Cubs 2009 32nd round pick out of Shelton State CC, who got over-slot money to sign) got the start for the Cubs today, and threw three shutout innings. He did allow five hits (four singles and a double) in those three innings, but he didn't issue any walks, and he picked a runner off 2nd base to get out of one jam, and benefiited from a baserunning gaffe by the Angels to get out of another.

RHP Thomas Diamond followed McNutt to the hill, and had his best outing since being acquired from Texas off waivers last month, throwing three innings of one-hit shutout ball, while striking out five in a row at one point. The 26-year old Diamond (the Rangers 1st round draft pick in 2004 out of the University of New Orleans, who underwent TJS in 2007) was absolutely dominating today, throwing hard and pitching with a lot of confidence.  .

The game was scoreless going into the bottom of the 6th, but Logan Watkins led-off the frame with a sharply-struck single through the box to CF, followed by a D,. J. LeMahieu RBI triple smashed off the RF fence that scored Watkins from 1st base. Brett Jackson then lined an opposite-field single to LF to score LeMahieu with the second run of the inning.

However, the Cubs lead was short-lived, as the Angels pummeled RHP Tarlandus Mitchell and LHP (ex-OF) Drew Rundle to the tune of eight runs on seven hits (five singles and two triples), two walks, and a WP, in a nightmare top of the 7th. 

The Cubs did come back in the bottom of the 7th to score four runs and cut the Angels lead to 8-6, as Sergio Burruel led-off with a bloop single to CF, advanced to 3rd on a Rebel Ridling double that was crushed off the Green Monster "batter's eye" in dead CF, and then both runners scored on an opposite-field two-run RBI double lined into the RF corner by Brandon May. D. J. LeMahieu lined a one-out RBI single to center to plate May, and, after taking 2nd on the throw to the plate and advancing to 3rd on a WP, LeMahieu scored on a Brett Jackson sac-fly to left.  

The Cubs came close to tying the game in the bottom of the 8th (which was understood by both teams to be the last inning). Ryan Flaherty and Justin Bour walked to open the frame, and advanced one base each as Sergio Burruel bounced out 4-1 (2nd baseman to the pitcher covering 1st). Then Flaherty scored and Bour (representing the tying run) moved up to third when Rebel Ridling reached base on an RBI E-6 (errant throw to 1st base by the SS). However, Brandon May struck out swinging for the second out, and then Logan Watkins was retired for the final out of the game (and the final out of Instructs) on a spectacular diving catch by the Angels right-fielder on what looked like a sure-fire game-tying (or possibly even game-winning) bloop hit into right-center. 

Several of the Cubs who attended Instructs at Fitch Park will be playing Winter Ball in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, or the Dominican Republic, and eight more will be en route from Phoenix to the Cubs Dominican Academy in Boca Chica for six weeks of Dominican Instructional League, where the American kids will get a chance to see how their Latin brothers live and play ball at Baseball City. 

Last year, Matt Cerda, Brandon Guyer, Nate Samson, and Josh Vitters spent a month at the Cubs Dominican Academy after attending AZ Instructs, and it worked so well that Player Development Director Oneri Fleita decided to expand it and send even more U. S. kids down there this year. (The Dominican Instructional League runs through November). 

Meanwhile, Fitch Park will continue to be used throughout the off-season by players rehabbing from injuries.

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):  .

LINEUP:
1. Logan Watkins, 2B: 1-5 (2-3, 3-2 FC, 1B, 4-3, P-9), R
2. D. J. LaMahieu, SS: 2-4 (6-3, 4-3, 3B, 1B) 2 R, 2 RBI
3. Brett Jackson, CF: 1-3 (K, K, 1B, L-7 SF), 2 RBI
4. Brandon Guyer, RF: 0-4 (F-8, K, L-5 DP, F-8)
5. Ryan Flaherty, 3B: 1-3 (L-9, 2B, E-4, BB), R
6. Justin Bour, 1B: 0-3 (E-6, 4-3, K, BB)
7a. Jovan Rosa, C: 0-1 (L-8)
7b. Sergio Burruel, C: 1-3 (4-3, 1B, 4-1), R
8a. Richard Jones, DH: 1-1 (2B)
8b. Rebel Ridling, PH-DH: 1-2 (BB, 2B, E-6), R, RBI, PO
9. Brandon May, LF: 1-4 (6-3, F-9, 2B, K), R, 2 RBI

PITCHERS:
1. Trey McNutt - 3.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 PO, 4/2 GO/FO, 43 pitches (26 strikes) 
2. Thomas Diamond - 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 1/3 GO/FO, 44 pitches (27 strikes)
3. Tarlandus Mitchell - 0.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R (5 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 28 pitches (13 strikes)  
4. Drew Rundle - 0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 19 pitches (16 strikes)
5. Corey Martin - 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R,0 BB, 1 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 8 pitches (5 strikes)      

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE: No SB attempts, PB, or errors involving Cubs catchers.

OUTFIELD ASSIST: Brandon Guyer

WEATHER: 90's & sunny

ATTENDANCE: 29  

Comments

AZ Phil Thanks for all the reports from instructs. When does your flight to the DR leave so you can report on the Dominican Instructional League? Can't wait for more Cubs minor league news from you

Lookie, lookie...E-Man's favorite lefty (he of the 55 ft curveball) is once again a free agent: The Dodgers made the first decision of an offseason that hasn't even started yet on Friday by declining the $2.2 million 2010 option on left-handed reliever Will Ohman and instead paying a $200,000 buyout that makes him a free agent. ...undergoing surgery on Sept. 29 on the acromioclavicular joint, where the clavicle meets the shoulder blade at the top of the shoulder. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091016&content_id=7475514&vke…

For those of you who did not stay up late enough, Macier IZTURIS' error allowed Jerry Hairsrton, Jr. of all people to score the winning run for the Yanks last night. Macier and Izzy are half-brothers. so, obviously there is some family heredity of ineptitude going on there. As for Hairston, he will be the beneficiary in all probability of an AL Pennant ring, going from one of the worst NL teams, to the Champion of the AL. What a lucky guy.

at The Bear Truth NLCS and Bears game is open for discussion

Our judges also would have accepted "The Breakfast Cub." Thanks, Phil. I know when looking at A and AA ballplayers it's important to note the player's age. Must we discount Diamond's because of his relative seniority to other Instructs player? Was that stat line as impressive as it seems? Dominating at Instructs might be cannon fodder at Iowa, right?

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

Quote from the above article: "With the emergence of younger catchers Rob Johnson and rookie Adam Moore." Nice sentence fragment there, buddy. The Tacoma News Tribune doesn't have a grammatical checker in their software? A better proof reader? Reminds me of the NWI (previously Hammond) Times here in NW Indiana.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Dumb. Is Ricketts in charge yet? He should be beating Hendry with a yellow wiffle ball bat. Hendry leaving a message to Ricketts" The good news...Uh we need some more bullpen help, a second baseman and maybe a shortstop. Oh yeah a lefthanded bat to play RF, a back up third baseman and that's it. Oh one more thing we will probably need to eat $ 21 million of Bradley's contract. And the new hitting coach at nearly a million a year will be okay? Bad news the Wrigley Field foreman just mentioned that the upper deck will colapse if there are more then 25 people on it next year and Mayor Daley said you need to grow ivey on all the walls of the park, so no more ads. Can't wait to get Rudy to work with Aaron Miles!!!" ~click~

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

The club isn't going to 'give' Theriot's job to a rookie with no AAA experience, so that's not really a concern to me. There's not much not to like about him, going by the age and the stats he's put up. There's a lot of errors, but a major league infield and throwing to Derrek Lee would probably cut those in half, and practice should help cut them down further. Kevin Goldstein at some point this year called him a 2nd basemen... but he seems to be in the minority opinion on that.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

well damn. also...do we REALLY need to rush another guy? it's not like castro projects to be a RBI middle infielder. keep developing his contact, strengthen the consistency of the glove and arm, and bring him up as needed. it's not like he's a potential utley/arod/etc. kicking around down there no matter how good his early returns on contact and defensive tools are.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Good comment, crunch, rational as always. Let the kid play, let's see. Also, I was amused at your Brant Brown comments. Would he specialize in teaching the play-by-play people to scream "Noooooo!!!" when he drops the game-winning fly ball? Seriously. though, he seemed like a good guy, who might be able to teach a patient approach.

hope Hendry throws in a Japanese version of Rosetta Stone software in Jaramillo's contract package

anyone else find it funny brant brown might be the rangers new hitting coach, btw? he's got a lot of positive momentum as a hitting coach in the TEX minor league system...AA this past year.

I just got this e-mail from Stubhub...Someone's idea of Taunting? --- Where do you want to sit? Hey Cubster, Be there alongside your Chicago Cubs as they chase baseball immortality. Go to StubHub, where you’ll find a fantastic selection of tickets to every playoff game – so you experience the championship chase live and in person. Check it out. Go to StubHub and get the seats you want today.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

and this followup e-mail: Hi Cubster, Earlier today, an email promoting Chicago Cubs postseason tickets was sent to you. This, unfortunately, was a mistake. We regret the error and apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused. Sincerely, The StubHub Team

Topprospectalert.com has their 2010 Top 10 #1 Josh Vitters (21) #2 Andrew Cashner (23) #3 Starlin Castro (19) #4 Hak Ju Lee (19) #5 Brett Jackson (21) #6 Jay Jackson (21) #7 Chris Carpenter (23) #8 D J LeMahieu (21) #9 Chris Archer (21) #10 Jose Valdez (22) My own personal thoughts are that 1-7 and 9 are undoubtedly top Cubs prospects. Anyone think any of the following should have been included: Dae-Eun Rhee (20), Wellington Castillo (22), Ryan Flaherty (23), Tony Campana (23), John Gaub (24), Blake Parker (24), Casey Coleman (22), Jose Rosario (20), Jeffry Antigua (19), Christopher Huseby (21), Kyler Burke (21), Austin Kirk (19), Tyler Colvin (24)?

A piss-poor defensive performance at 3B by Josh Vitters for the Mesa Solar Sox today.

First he let a ground ball go through his legs for an error, then an easy grounder kicked off his glove for another error, and when he did make a nice diving stop to his left (balls hit to his right usually just go by without any play), he righted himself, and proceeded to throw a one-bouncer to 1st base that the batter beat by a step.

Look, I like Vitters a lot as a hitter, and I think that he will develop into a big-time middle-of-the-order run producer, and I realize that the Cubs really want Vitters to play 3B and to be the eventual heir at 3B after Aramis Ramirez is gone, but I doubt that Vitters can play 3B in the big leagues unless he makes a stronger commitment to improving his defensive play at the hot corner. Except right now, he's the kind of player who will spend five hours working on his hitting, and about five minutes working on his defense. He has the actions of a 3rd baseman, but he just doesn't make the plays, even routine ones.

I would say 1B would be a better position for him, because that would eliminate the throwing errors, but he doesn't make his errors just on bad throws. It's just general defensive indifference. LF would be where I would play him, except Alfonso Soriano is signed for five more years. So maybe RF? I don't know. But unless he starts to show some marked improvement at 3B, he needs to be moved to another position before he turns into David Kelton Redux.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Maybe it will simply take the Cubs saying "I hope you enjoy Daytona, because until you're going to be there until you learn to field." Not that they've ever shown that restraint, but with Lee, Ramirez and Soriano all slotted for first base over the next five seasons, rushing him up to the bigs to be the next Jake Fox doesn't make much sense.

Submitted by John Beasley on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 6:37am.

I know when looking at A and AA ballplayers it's important to note the player's age. Must we discount Diamond's because of his relative seniority to other Instructs player? Was that stat line as impressive as it seems? Dominating at Instructs might be cannon fodder at Iowa, right?

=======================================

JOHN B: Thomas Diamond struggled with his control big-time in his previous outings at Instructs, before throwing a dominiating three innings (as he should have thrown in all of his appearances down here) in his final outing.

He displayed the confidence Saturday than I had hoped to see but had not yet seen previously, and that is a cause for optimism. He has good stuff, but has had major problems trouble throwing strikes for the past couple of years , which isn't that unusual for a post-TJS guy.

All I will say is I am more optimistic now than I was before that Diamond could have a decent year at Iowa in 2010, and if he does, we'll see what happens. If I had to guess, I would say Diamond will probably work out of the bullpen in 2010. 

Submitted by BBPassion on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 10:34am.

AZ Phil

Can you post a list or where can I find a list of where Cub Minor leaguers went for Winter ball so I can continue to follow my favorites?

Thanks

=======================================

BBPassion:

Try this. It's updated daily, and you can click on each player's name for splits and "Last Ten Games"... .

link

 

Castro when 4/5 today with 2R, 1RBI --- so he has 12 hits in 23 AB in the AFL -- If he is not playing in the majors by the end of next year, something is wrong with the system. AZ Phil do you think he could be a lead-off hitter or more of the prototypical #2?

[ ]

In reply to by skavoovee

it's nice and all, but take the mystique of the rookie away and you got a faster version of theriot with more upside on his D (though it seems his D has some work to be done with it). he's a very legit prospect for a guy with no power, but he's not looking like a super-speedster ob% guy or anything. he's swinging for almost every trip to 1st base he takes.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Second time today you said Castro has no power. Wilken on Castro:
Wilken enumerated Castro's tools as above-average power potential, baserunning abilities and defense. "In his hitting action, he's got about as good wrists as I've seen in quite some time," Wilken said. "Very supple, and he'll have opposite-field power because he lets the ball travel."

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

yeah, maybe he'll develop some. he's still got another growth spurt to go. it's not out of reach. right now he's got a fast swing and his game is contact. he don't walk...he's gonna swing. he's not turning that contact into anything resembling power yet. he's got a ways to go before he's in soriano's league.

Crunch -- I agree that he appears to be a faster version of Theriot at this point, but consider that it wasn't until 25 years old that Theriot hit over .300 in the minors and regarding power, Theriot has a career SLG .337 of in the minor while Castro has a .414 Charlie -- I agree he needs more seasoning at the minor league level. I would imagine he starts the year at AA and if his good hitting continues, could earn a mid-season promotion to AAA. The questions is whether he will play for the Cubs in September, which I believe he has a shot at. AZ Phil -- maybe you can compare his defense as a prospect to Theriot

Submitted by skavoovee on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 4:49pm.

Castro when 4/5 today with 2R, 1RBI --- so he has 12 hits in 23 AB in the AFL -- If he is not playing in the majors by the end of next year, something is wrong with the system.

AZ Phil do you think he could be a lead-off hitter or more of the prototypical #2?

================================

Skavoovee: #2 hitter.

Castro has probably put on about 15-20 pounds since he signed in 2006, and he should develop some occasional power as he matures. He has above-average speed (slighly above-average speed for a middle-infielder), but he's not a burner or big-time base-stealer.

The Cubs player (or recent Cubs player) to whom I would compare Castro is Ronny Cedeno, except Castro has developed faster and hasn't hit speed bumps early in his career like Cedeno did. Cedeno didn't really start to hit until he was 21.

Castro is basically everything the Cubs hoped Cedeno would be when Cedeno was signed to a substantial bonus as a 16-year old out of Venezuela. And I am not dissing Castro by comparing him to Cedeno, because Castro has succeeded in ways Cedeno did not at a similar age. I'm just trying to find a comparable Cubs (or ex-Cubs) player.

Castro has plus-range and a above-average arm and is a "natural" SS, although he can play 2B equally well. It's just that his range and arm are more valuable at SS than at 2B. He is also one of the most coachable players I've seen come through the Cubs organization in many years, which is how and why he improved so much at Instructs last year and at Minor League Camp this past March, allowing him to jump all the way from AZL Cubs (Mesa) in 2008 to Daytona on Opening Day 2009 and to AA Tennessee at mid-season. I don't remember any position player ever doing that before, ESPECIALLY a 19-year old!. He also responds positively to a challenge. He has no fear.

A lot of Castro's errors come from youthful exuberance (he's only 19) and inexperience, because he has good throwing mechanics and footwork. He's a defensive "playmaker," but sometimes he tries to do too much.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Thanks Phil! The comparison to Cedeno is actually pretty encouraging, as you point out. It seemed like Cedeno's problems stemmed primarily from his attitude, and secondarily from some problems with his swing (I thought he relied too much on his wrists, failed to get his right arm behind the swing and thus impaired his ability to control the bat vertically, which I thought was why he had such a big hole in his swing up in the zone).

Is it that unreasonable to think that Castro could develop a bit more power (15-20 HR) -- Hanley Ramirez had a SLG of .430 in the minors through age 21. While I like the comparison to Cedeno, Castro does seem to be way ahead and far superior (at least as a prospect)

[ ]

In reply to by skavoovee

the guy has plenty of room to grow. my only arguement against him coming up any time soon revolves around that growth not happening yet...and he swings, not much on walking or selecting his perfect pitch...and he's not a super speedster. if he already had his power that'd be another thing. right now he's slapping singles around at a very good rate.

...little known fact. --- also Cedeno stops dead in his tracks and grows antlers when car headlights flash at his eyes

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • 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.