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

Cubs 2010 AZ Instructional League - Final Stats

Here are the FINAL unofficial statistics for the Cubs AZ Instructional League team. (There is no Official Scorer at Instructs games, so the stats are not official).

2010 Cubs AZ Instructional League record: 7-9-4 (20 GAMES)

* Bats or throws left
* Bats both

POSITION PLAYERS:

Slash line = AVG/OBP/SLUG

CATCHERS:

* Sergio Burruel (age 19) - 2010 at AZL Cubs (2009 19th Round - Trevor Browne HS - Phoenix, AZ)
144/343/185
13 GAMES – 35 PA (4-27, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 R, 7 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 2 GIDP, 1 PO)
DEFENSE: 3-5 CS (60%), 1 E, 0 PB

# Micah Gibbs (age 22) - 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 3rd Round - LSU)
194/356/308
13 GAMES – 45 PA (7-36, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 R, 8 BB, 8 K, 1 HBP)
DEFENSE: 7-10 CS (70%), 0 E, 0 PB

Max Kwan (age 23) – Pro debut (2010 NDFA - U. of Washington)
185/258/222
14 GAMES – 31 PA (5-27, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 13 K, 1 HBP, 1 SH, 1 CS, 1 PO)
DEFENSE: 0-6 CS (0%), 1 E, 1 PB

Chad Noble (age 22) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 37th Round - Northwestern)
250/500/250
3 GAMES – 6 PA (1-4, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K)
DEFENSE: 0-1 CS (0%), 0 E, 0 PB

# Engel Santana (age 21) – U. S. debut - 2010 at DSL Cubs #1 (2010 FA - Dominican Republic)
167/200/167
9 GAMES – 20 PA (3-18, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 1 SF)
DEFENSE: 1-3 CS (33%), 1 E, 4 PB

INFIELDERS:

Gioskar Amaya (age 17) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #1 (2010 FA - Venezuela)
282/293/411
16 GAMES – 41 PA (11-39, 1 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 12 K, 2 GIDP, 1 SH)
DEFENSE (2B, 3B, SS): 1 E

* Justin Bour (age 22) – 2010 at Peoria (2009 25th Round - George Mason U.)
289/317/342
13 GAMES – 41 PA (11-38, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K, 2 GIDP, 1 HBP, 1 SF)
DEFENSE (1B): 1 E

Willson Contreras (age 18) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #2 (2009 FA - Venezuela)
219/264/375
14 GAMES - 34 PA (7-32, 2 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 2 HBP, 1 GIDP)
DEFENSE (3B-2B-1B): 2 E

* Ryan Cuneo (age 22) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 20th Round - U. of Delaware)
195/350/361
16 GAMES – 46 PA (7-36, 4 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 7 BB, 6 K, 2 HBP, 1 SF)
DEFENSE: (1B-LF-3B): 1 E

* Pin-Chieh Chen ( age 19) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2009 FA - Taiwan)
000/286/000
4 GAMES – 7 PA (0-5, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 SB, 1 CS)
DEFENSE (2B): 0 E

* Wes Darvill (age 19) – 2010 at Boise & AZL Cubs (2009 5th Round - Canadian Junior National Team)
000/154/000
5 GAMES – 13 PA (0-11, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 1 SB, 0 CS)
DEFENSE (SS-2B): 0 E

Dustin Geiger (age 18) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2010 24th Round - Merritt Island HS - Brevard County, FL)
152/257/182
15 GAMES – 39 PA (5-33, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 9 K, 2 HBP, 1 SF, 2 SB, 1 CS)
DEFENSE (3B-1B): 8 E

# Marco Hernandez (age 18) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #2 & DSL Cubs #1 (2010 FA - Dominican Republic)
250/275/278
14 GAMES – 40 PA (9-36, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 8 R, 2 BB, 9 K, 1 GIDP, 1 SH, 1 SF, 0 SB, 1 CS, 2 PO)
DEFENSE (SS-2B): 4 E

* Hak-Ju Lee (age 19) – 2010 at Peoria (2008 FA - South Korea)
294/368/383
11 GAMES - 38 PA (10-34, 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, 7 K, 1 GIDP, 3 SB, 1 CS, 1 PO)
DEFENSE (SS): 0 E

Josh Vitters (age 21) – 2010 at Daytona & Tennessee (2007 1st round - Cypress HS - Cypress, CA)
333/300/444
3 GAMES – 10 PA (3-9, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 SF)
DEFENSE (3B-1B): 0 E

* Logan Watkins (age 21) – 2010 at Peoria (2008 21st Round - Goddard HS - Goddard, KS)
231/324/308
12 GAMES – 34 PA (6-26, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 HBP, 1 GIDP, 3 SH, 1 SB, 0 CS, 1 PO)
DEFENSE (2B-CF): 1 E

OUTFIELDERS

* Delbis Arcila (age 17) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #2 & DSL Cubs #1 (2010 FA - Venezuela)
084/214/125
9 GAMES – 28 PA (2-24, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, 10 K, 1 HBP)
DEFENSE (LF-RF): 0 E, 0 ASSISTS

Xavier Batista (age 18) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2009 FA - Dominican Republic)
225/326/375
15 GAMES – 46 PA (9-40, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 5 BB, 14 K, 1 HBP, 1 SB, 1 CS)
DEFENSE (RF-LF): 0 E, 2 ASSISTS

Evan Crawford (age 22) – 2010 at Augusta & Daytona (SF Giants 2009 9th Round - Indiana U.)
385/400/641
10 GAMES – 40 PA (15-39, 4 2B, 3 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 8 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 4 SB, 1 CS)
DEFENSE (CF-RF): 0 E, 0 ASSISTS

Reggie Golden (age19) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2010 2nd Round - Wetumpka HS - Wetumpka, AL)
263/364/500
14 GAMES – 44 PA (10-38, 3 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1 R, 5 BB, 14 K, 1 HBP, 1 SB, 3 CS, 1 PO)
DEFENSE (RF-CF-LF): 3 E, 2 ASSISTS

Jae-Hoon Ha (age 19) – 2010 at Peoria (2008 FA - South Korea)
313/303/563
9 GAMES – 33 PA (10-32, 2 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2 GIDP, 1 SF, 5 SB, 0 CS)
DEFENSE (CF-RF): 0 E, 1 ASSIST

Chris Huseby (age 22) – ex-RHP – 2010 at Daytona (RHP) & Boise (OF) - (2006 11th Round - Martin County HS - Stuart, FL)
179/214/205
15 GAMES – 42 PA (7-39, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 16 K, 1 HBP, 1 SF)
DEFENSE (LF-RF): 1 E, 0 ASSISTS

* Kyung-Min Na (age 18) – 2010 at Boise (2009 FA - South Korea)
PINCH-RUNNER
1 GAME

# Oliver Zapata (age 18) – U. S. debut - 2010 at DSL Cubs #1 (2010 FA - Domincan Republic)
371/439/572
16 GAMES – 41 PA (13-35, 2 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 10 R, 5 BB, 9 K, 1 SH, 1 SB, 0 CS)
DEFENSE (RF-CF-LF): 3 E, 2 ASSISTS

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

PITCHERS:

* Hunter Ackerman (age 19) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2010 4th Round - Louisburg JC)
8.00 ERA - 2.00 WHIP - .381 Opp BA
9.0 IP, 16 H, 8 R (8 ER), 2 BB, 8 K, 3 WP, 1 GIDP, 12/7 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (0 GS), 1 E

* Brent Ebinger (age 22) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 32nd Round - Lambuth U.)
6.35 ERA – 1.59 WHIP - .261 Opp BA
5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R (4 ER), 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, 5/8 GO/FO, 3 GAMES (2 GS)

Dustin Fitzgerald (age 20) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 19th Round - Hill JC)
7.45 ERA – 1.55 WHIP - .317 Opp BA
9.2 IP, 13 H, 8 R (8 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, 1 GIDP, 11/12 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (1 GS)

* Cam Greathouse (age 20) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 8th Round - Gulf Coast CC)
10.13 ERA – 2.25 WHIP - .364 Opp BA
5.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R (6 ER), 4 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 2 HBP, 1 WP, 2 GIDP, 2 BALK, 10/0 GO/FO, 3 GAMES (1 GS)

* Casey Harman (age 21) – Pro debut (2010 29th Round - Clemson)
8.64 ERA – 2.04 WHIP - .359 Opp BA
8.1 IP, 14 H, 8 R (8 ER), 3 BB, 8 K, 1 WP, 2 PO, 3/7 GO/FO, 7 GAMES (0 GS)

Ryan Hartman (age 18) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2010 16th Round - Mt Zion HS -Mt. Zion, IL)
4.82 ERA – 1.18 WHIP - .212 Opp BA
9.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R (5 ER), 4 BB, 6 K, 2 HR, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 2 GIDP, 1 BALK, 9/12GO/FO, 5 GAMES (0 GS)

Jin-Yeong Kim (age 18) – Pro debut (2010 FA - South Korea)
7.20 ERA – 1.30 WHIP - .286 Opp BA
10.0 IP, 12 H, 8 R (8 ER), 1 BB, 12 K, 1 HR, 1 WP, 8/8 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (3 GS)

Aaron Kurcz (age 20) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 10th Round - College of Southern Nevada)
0.77 ERA – 0.43 WHIP - .079 Opp BA
11.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 20 K, 6/8 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (3 GS)

Luis Liria (age 20) – 2010 at Boise & Peoria (2007 FA - Dominican Republic) 
5.79 ERA – 1.61 WHIP - .282 Opp BA
9.1 IP, 11 H, 8 R (6 ER), 4 BB, 10 K, 2 HR, 1 WP, 12/6 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (0 GS), 1 E

Matt Loosen (age 21) – 2010 at AZL Cubs & Boise (2010 23rd Round - Jacksonville U.)
1.23 ERA – 1.36 WHIP - .276 Opp BA
7.1 IP, 8 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 1 GIDP, 4/8 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (2 GS)

Robinson Lopez (age 19) – 2010 at Rome & Peoria (Atlanta Braves 2008 FA - Dominican Republic)
3.60 ERA – 1.40 WHIP - .211 Opp BA
5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 3 K, 1 PO, 6/4 GO/FO, 3 GAMES (2 GS)

* Jeff Lorick (age 22) – 2010 at Rome, Myrtle Beach, and Peoria (Atlanta Braves 2009 20th Round - U. of Virginia)
1.74 ERA – 0.87 WHIP - .189 Opp BA
10.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 8 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 15/8 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (3 GS)

Tarlandus Mitchell (age 20) – 2010 at Boise (2008 22nd Round - Alto HS - Alto, TX)
5.73 ERA – 1.64 WHIP - .250 Opp BA
11.0 IP, 11 H, 9 R (7 ER), 7 BB, 9 K, 1 HR, 2 WP, 1 BALK, 18/4 GO/FO, 6 GAMES (0 GS)

Amaury Paulino (age 19) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #2 & DSL Cubs #1 (2009 FA - Dominican Republic)
6.00 ERA – 1.83 WHIP - .273 Opp BA
6.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R (4 ER), 5 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 2 GIDP, 1 PO, 9/3 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (0 GS)

Starling Peralta (age 19) – U. S. debut – 2010 at DSL Cubs #2 & DSL Cubs #1 (2008 FA - Dominican Republic) 
4.15 ERA – 1.15 WHIP - .265 Opp BA
8.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 10 K, 2 HR, 2 WP, 1 GIDP, 8/6 GO/FO, 6 GAMES (0 GS)

Austin Reed (age 18) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2010 12th Round - Rancho Cucamonga HS - Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
1.86 ERA – 0.93 WHIP - .235 Opp BA
9.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 3 WP, 1 GIDP, 6/11 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (1 GS)

Kevin Rhoderick (age 22) – Pro debut (2010 9th Round - Oregon State)
2.57 ERA – 1.71 WHIP - .240 Opp BA
7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 6 BB, 10 K, 2 GIDP, 9/2 GO/FO, 7 GAMES (0 GS)

Jhon Rodriguez (age 20) – 2010 at AZL Cubs (2008 FA - Venezuela)
4.50 ERA – 1.60 WHIP – 317 Opp BA
10.0 IP, 13 H, 6 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HBP, 1 WP, 2 GIDP, 1 PO, 14/6 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (0 GS)

* Brian Smith (age 17) – Pro debut (2010 40th Round- Canadian Junior National Team)
30.00 ERA – 4.33 WHIP - .527 Opp BA
3.0 IP, 10 H, 12 R (10 ER), 3 BB, 4 K, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 1 BALK, 3/2 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (0 GS)

Alvaro Sosa (age 24) – ex-C – 2010 at Boise & AZL Cubs (2004 FA - Dominican Republic)
5.06 ERA – 1.59 WHIP - .304 Opp BA
10.2 IP, 14 H, 6 R (6 ER), 3 BB, 6 K, 2 WP, 2 HBP, 10/15 GO/FO, 6 GAMES (1 GS)

Charles Thomas (age 22) - ex-3B – 2010 at Peoria (3B) and AZL Cubs (RHP) - (2009 10th Round - Edward Waters College)
1.50 ERA – 0.67 WHIP - .143 Opp BA
6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 2/11 GO/FO, 5 GAMES (0 GS)

Ben Wells (age 18) – Pro debut (2010 7th Round - Bryant HS - Bryant, AR)
0.00 ERA – 0.55 WHIP - .120 Opp BA
7.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K, 1 BALK, 6/7 GO/FO, 4 GAMES (2 GS)

Comments

I assume there's a few Simpsons fans around here. I finally got around to cueing up the MoneyBart episode from last week ... not a bad spotlight for sabermetrics. The "money" quote, courtesy of Moe: “The only thing I know about strategy is that whatever the manager does, it’s wrong. Unless it works, in that case he’s a button-pusher.”

I'm a Sandberg fan, but why do people keep exaggerating his success in the minors? Here is Phil Rogers a couple of hours ago:
Sandberg . . . has earned the job with his combination of a Hall of Fame standing and four successful years managing in the Cubs' system
How successful was Sandberg's second year at Peoria, when they ended up 60-78? How hard is it to look this stuff up? As I noted once before, at the end of four seasons as manager in the Cub minors, Sandberg was seven games over .500. Quade was eleven over in 5-6 weeks! And Quade was managing the not-so-hot Cubs in the major leagues. According to Rogers, by the way, "Wedge has been telling his confidantes that Jim Hendry was going to hire him to manage the Cubs if Joe Girardi wasn't available."

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

let's try apples to apples at least Quade's minor league record: 1985 56-82 (A ball, Pirates) 1986 54-84 (A Ball, Pirates) 1989 74-59 (A Ball, Expos) 1990 56-80 (A Ball, Expos) 1991 87-53 (AA, Expos - Minor League Manager of the Year) 1992 78-59 (AA, Expos) 1993 73-59 (AAA, Expos - Minor League Manager of the Year) 1994 62-80 (AAA, Phillies) 1995 70-72 (AAA, Phillies) 1996 77-61 (A ball, Athletics - League Champions) 1997 77-62 (AA, Athletics) 1998 76-67 (AAA, Athletics) 1999 84-58 (AAA, won AAA championship) 2003 70-72 (AAA, Cubs) 2004 79-64 (AAA, Cubs) 2005 64-75 (AAA, Cubs) 2006 76-68 (AAA, Cubs - lost tiebreaker and didn't make playoffs) 1213 - 1155 (.512%) (hope my math is right) Sandberg 2007 71-68 (A), tied for 1st place in 2nd half but lost tiebreaker 2008 60-78 (A), finished 7th in both halves 2009 71-69 (AA), won 2nd half and first round of playoffs, lost in finals 2010 82-62 (AAA), lost tiebreaker and didn't make playoffs, named PCL Manager of Year 284-277 (.506%)

[ ]

In reply to by big_lowitzki

When Sandberg is involved in "the big game"--as, for example, when a playoff berth is at stake--I'd be happy if he just hung around past the second inning. Right now I'm rooting for the Yankees to finish up their season, one way or another, as quickly as possible. If, as likely, it comes down to Sandberg and Quade, I will probably be disappointed if Quade gets the nod, but not because he isn't a better big-league manager right now. I take what Quade did with the Cubs seriously. Wins don't just happen. Real Neal told us a long time ago that Piniella was incompetent; but Quade proved it.

OF Brandon Guyer at 360/429/520 with one HR and one double so far in Venezuela (six games), while teammate 3B Marquez Smith is at 174/240/391 with one HR and two doubles. Guyer is a lock to get added to the 40-man roster by the 11/20 deadline, but Marquez Smith is on the bubble and probably will need a strong showing in the VWL to get a slot on the 40. RHP Kyle Smit (a long-shot candidate to get added to the 40) has pitched well in his first two outings with the Mesa Solar Sox in the AFL (four innings of shutout ball, allowing two hits and a walk with four strikeouts). Smit was one of the players acquired by the Cubs from the Dodgers in July for Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot.

WSCR just announced its Mike Quade with a 2 year contract. Press conference at 3pm Chicago time today.

sandberg on espn 1000 no bench job offer digesting all of it now next job will be mlb manager not thinking about aaa job for next year, will listen on all calls probably not heading back to cubs interviewed by ricketts,bush and kinney ugh

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.