Cubs MLB Roster

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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

Thanks for the Memories...

statueThere are more than a couple hundred players enshrined at Cooperstown and they are paid homage by something like 350,000 annual visitors to baseball’s Hall of Fame. At Wrigley Field a mere three Cubs have been immortalized in statuary and only half a dozen’s numbers flutter atop the foul poles. This Mecca draws in excess of three million pilgrims per season. Maybe Ron Santo was on to something when he listed the corner of Clark & Addison in Chicago as the address of his personal HOF.

Wednesday night my two sons and I were at the fringe of the mob assembled in the street to witness the unveiling of Santo in bronze, caught in the act of making an off-balance throw to nip a runner in a close play at first. I am no critic of the sculpting arts but I think the rendering of #10 is exquisite. The blue casts to the socks, cap and numerals; the facial likeness, the stitching on the ball about to be thrown – all are vivid. Justice was done to the fans’ memories.

An hour before the ceremony the three of us took a few meandering, strolling laps around the square block of Wrigley. On Waveland we staged a brief reenactment of the ritual game of catch we used to play there while ballhawking during batting practice on trips to Chicago when they were little leaguers. Now Max is 20 and Ben is 17. On Clark we detoured into McDonalds where the clubhouse attendant used to fetch a pair of Big Macs for Sammy Sosa after BP on game days. On Addison we tossed a few coins in the pail of the wheel-chaired beggar who’s been as permanent a fixture on our past visits as the statuary will be on future ones. On Sheffield a ball arced over the bleachers, ricocheted off of some landscaping ironwork and bounced directly to me with a small band of ballhawks in pursuit; a fitting memento of the occasion that I received in the spirit of a child opening a gift.

From our vantage point the remarks of the assembled dignitaries were mostly muffled. I did make out Pat Hughes repeating a laugh line we’d heard more clearly on the car radio as we drove into town that afternoon. He and Santo’s HOF teammates from the fabled ’69 team had keynoted a sold-out luncheon downtown that was broadcast by WGN. More importantly we did manage sightlines to the statue. After it was revealed and roundly approved we went inside and took up seats in the right-center field bleachers. While the Cubs fashioned one of their occasional victories we enjoyed dollar hot dogs and reminisced. Even cheaper was the glowing sunset that rang down upon the day's stage.

We left after eight, me and a couple of the grandsons of the guy I used to listen on the radio with when Santo was routinely making plays like the one immortalized now on the street corner. As we passed by on our way to the redline depot I was able to touch the cleats of someone who autographed mitts and caps for us when he was still able. The cheers boiling over the rim of the stadium just then reported on Carlos Marmol’s progress towards a fanning of the side in the 9th but I imagined them for someone else, some other time.

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Despite his recent hot streak, I agree largely with Hollandsworth. I think Aram plays hard when he feels like it, and doesn't really care whether the Cubs win or lose. I think being in the clubhouse with someone like that, and there being no repurcussions on him for being that way, is likely to leave a young player somewhat jaded....

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

no way...they bought a 3rd baseman and his known social skills...money don't mean leadership...leadership can get you more money, though...vlad got paid, but never got his full due cuz he's not a leader. hell, vlad can barely speak conversational english. you don't see aram interviews...you don't see him rocking the camera or the quotes...he never has at any point. he's never tried to be a leader.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

I realize it's open season on the Cubs right now, but Hollandsworth is a fucking idiot... Hollandsworth also took a swipe at Cubs' management for their handling of Ramirez, who told the team before the trade deadline that he didn't want to waive his no-trade clause for family reasons. "It's going to be another 100 years before this team wins another (World Series) if they continue to let the inmates run it," Hollandsworth said. a basic understanding of 10/5 rights might inform his opinion a little better. "When you've got your best player -- he's your best hitter, we've watched it for years now -- and you can't seem to have a positive effect on the guys around you in your clubhouse, getting them to step up or play to a different level, it's just hard for me to swallow, especially when you're being paid to be that guy," Hollandsworth told "The McNeil and Spiegel isn't Soriano technically being paid to be that guy and the one who does almost nothing to contribute to winning games right now? "Then you bring into question effort and that's one thing in the game of baseball that really is inexcusable. One hundred percent effort all the time, there's really no reason for you not to have 100 percent effort. He's got impressionable kids around him right now: Darwin Barney, Starlin Castro, these kids are growing up, they're watching it and you know what, they're not getting any better." I'm trying to remember all those great young players that developed while Ryne Sandberg and Andre Dawson were playing the game the right way. ... ... ... I got nothing. if I was being cynical...it's like someone from the Cubs asked Comcast to start berating Ramirez so he'd be more willing to accept a trade.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I agree totally on this one about Hollandsworth... why couldn't he be more of a leader on one of the 8 teams he played for? Probably because he wasn't good enough for anyone to give a shit what he said or thought anyways, kind of like now... From what I've seen of the Cubs this season so far, the play of Castro and Barney (or their development) is not the reason the Cubs suck... It is funny how no one was clamoring for Ramirez to be more of a leader when the Cubs were winning 90+ games a few years back. What is Ramirez supposed to do, walk up to Dempster and Wells and the string of shitty 5th starters they have been running out there and say "Pitch better!" They have been pitching better lately, and wow, like magic, that results in more wins...

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

"Darwin Barney, Starlin Castro, these kids are growing up, they're watching it and you know what, they're not getting any better." Maybe it's just me but I see improvement-- Castro last year: 544 chances 27 errors Castro this year: 541 chances 19 errors Castro last year: 506 PA, 3HR, 53R, 41RBI Castro this year: 515 PA, 6HR, 67R, 53RBI leads the NL with 152 Hits Barney: Rookie who took the starting 2B job away from Blake DeWitt

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Darwin Barney is pretty much irrelevant, as there is no way at this point to measure whether he is getting better--he has no MLB history. But the fact that Hollandsworth seems to be saying that Castro isn't getting better shows that he's not really basing his observations on evidence (or observations) so much as some sort of personal dogma he has developed about the kind of outward appearance veteran players ought project. [Edit: Plus, just how impressionable do we think Darwin Barney is? He's 25 going on 26 and he has almost 5 years of professional ball under his belt, along with three season of college ball. He's no toddler.]

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I didn't, but I should have... seemed like some of the good teams were good power teams, with the exception of the Padres, but they weren't actually doing a good job at baserunning allegedly. anyway, after looking at just regular old slugging, doesn't seem like it really correlates. I was just curious. no real surprises there really, some good teams are gonna be good at just about everything and some bad teams are bad at everything and then some teams that aren't good can run and vice-versa. Still on the bottom end for me on ways to build a good team.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Here it is broken down by % of non-HR extra base hits of their non-HR hit total. No "correlation" that I could see, in both cases three of five teams named were on the correct side of league average. Rank Tm Rate 1 TBR 27.6% 2 ARI 27.5% 3 CLE 26.9% 4 BOS 26.8% 5 TOR 26.2% 6 TEX 26.1% 7 SFG 25.8% 8 KCR 25.6% 9 HOU 25.5% 10 NYM 25.4% 11 COL 25.0% 12 LAA 24.9% 13 CHC 24.8% 14 OAK 24.7% 15 STL 24.5% 16 PHI 24.5% 17 LgAvg 24.5% 18 NYY 24.3% 19 WSN 24.3% 20 FLA 24.2% 21 MIL 23.8% 22 DET 23.7% 23 SEA 23.4% 24 PIT 23.3% 25 SDP 23.1% 26 ATL 23.1% 27 MIN 22.3% 28 CIN 22.0% 29 BAL 21.9% 30 CHW 20.9% 31 LAD 20.2%

Braves lineup Bourn CF, Prado LF, Freeman 1B, Uggla 2B, Jones 3B, Gonzalez SS, Ross C, Constanza RF, Minor P vs. Castro SS, Johnson RF, Ramirez 3B, Soto C, Byrd CF, Pena 1B, Soriano LF, Baker 2B, Zambrano P

Brett Jackson on BA's Prospect Hot Sheet again this week: Team: Triple-A Iowa (Pacific Coast) Age: 23 Why He's Here: .400/.444/.760 (10-for-25), 2 HR, 3 2B, 5 RBIs, 5 R, 2 BB, 6 SO, 1-for-1 SB The Scoop: Jackson endured an adjustment period through his first 14 Triple-A games, batting 10-for-51 (.196) with strikeouts in 43 percent of his at-bats. But then he went 3-for-4 in the second game of a doubleheader against New Orleans on July 29 and hasn't stopped hitting since. Over the course of his most recent 14 games, Jackson has gone 22-for-49 (.449) with six homers, four doubles and a much more manageable strikeout rate of 22 percent. The 2009 first-round pick is angling for a September callup with a composite batting line of .275/.383/.494 with 17 homers and 19 steals this season. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2011/…

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Some Cubs stuff from the prospect chat at BA: Tony (Frederick, MD): Most 21 year olds in AAA get some attention. Nick Struck, not so much. Sure, his ceiling isn't huge (mid-rotation at best), but he's still developing and is touching mid-90's more consistently this year. What can you tell me about his secondary pitches, and how do you feel about his future? J.J. Cooper: Struck's secondary pitches are below average now, but his future success probably depends on whether they can become average pitches down the road. His delivery isn't the greatest which sometimes affects his command, but the pieces are there to be a back-end of the rotation starter. Tung-Jim (Frederick, MD): DJ LeMahieu was driving the ball a bit better in AA before that pointless call-up to the bigs. What's happened since he went down, as he's certainly not driving the ball? And can the Cubs please make a decision on LeMahieu and Flaherty's positions? I think it would do both of them well to have 1 main position. J.J. Cooper: It would do both of them well if they end up being big league regulars, but if, like me, you think they end up as utilitymen (especially in LeMahieu's case), then the versatility isn't a big problem. Tony (Frederick, MD): Dae-Eun Rhee has shown flashes this year. Any reports on how his stuff is showing? J.J. Cooper: Plus stuff, up to 94-95 mph with his fastball with a good changeup. http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/?1313166857 Also Brett Jackson is remarkably average and it's a good thing. A Lee question too.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Does anyone know if that is an accurate report on Rhee? I was under the impression that his status as a prospect had dropped of dramatically post Tommy John Surgery, to the point where he looked like a long-shot to be a bottom of the rotation starter or a contributor in middle relief. Maybe that impression is out of date or just incorrect?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Pssh.....I'd rather they called him up than "save" the roster spot. So of the 40 man roster right now, the Cubs can pretty safely get rid of: Grabow Lopez Ortiz Berg A. Cabrera Caridad Perez-thought they released him already Smit Montanez Would it really take much roster juggling if they wanted to give Jackson an audition?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

"second issue, if you believe in the guy, what's the rush to start his service time and arbitration clocks?" for real. unless they want to stick him in RF in 2012...or move byrd there (not enough arm)...it's near useless to burn his time, imo. it's unlikely he's ready anyway. his first few weeks in AAA people were asking why he was there...then he gets hot and people are wondering when he can put on a cubs MLB uniform. i like the guy, btw...i like the guy playing CF in 2013...or late 2012 pending team collapse.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

If the Cubs go ahead and dump as many veterans as possible in the off-season, then I'd like to see Jackson manning CF in 2012. But they probably won't do that, and if they plan on getting a 1B and another starting pitcher, then I'm sure they also plan to keep Byrd around to start the season. So a September call up would seem pointless in that case. They already need to find more playing time for Colvin and maybe Campana (to see what kind of bench role he might merit in 2012).

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

where is all this jackson love coming from? a few weeks ago people on the net were asking if he was over his head in AAA...a few weeks later people are asking why he's not in the majors yet. he's a kid. his ceiling is very marlon-byrd-ish...he's not our RF'r next year. what's the rush? i like this kid, btw...3-6+ years of him in CF is something i look forward too.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I'm sure it's partly due to the rash of homeruns, but even moreso due to the MLB season being over for the Cubs. He's the closest thing to next year that we've got right now. (However, I'm super interested in Castro's current power surge. Hoping for the first of many .300+ average and double digit homerun seasons starting now.)

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

OK... deep breath. This is how it works. You have about 29 guys you have to pay serious cash to on a major league team. If you have to pay one guy, $4 million to give you one win above average, instead of $1 million, that's three million less that you have to spend on other problem areas on the team. Which part of that do you disagree with?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

While I tend to agree with you, and absolutely agree that any conversation of this nature is apparently FAR beyond the Cubs the past several years, and even more pretty much agree in this situation (though doubtful BJax will be good enough to make it matter), I also think shit like this tends to get overdone, especially in the last few years. Longoria and I think Strasburg, maybe? If they're that fucking good, call them up and let them try to help your team, and I would think that would matter even more if you were small market, capitalize on the name early. If your team is still shitty in X years, I don't think screwing a guy into playing another cheap year for you is really the answer. I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this get at least discussed in the next CBA, but I don't know how they'd measure it, maybe you'd have to put in a complaint and have it decided by an arbiter, or something...

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

41st rounder Austin Urban says he's signed. http://m.tribune-democrat.com/TTD/db_265842/contentdetail.htm?contentgu… AZ Phil's draft day write up: ROUND 41 (1239): Austin Urban, RHP (Des Moines Area CC) R/R, 6'2, 195, 18 years old COMMENT: JC freshman... Was selected by Orioles in 27th round of 2010 draft out of Richland HS (Johnstown, PA) but did not sign... Was set to attend Penn State but opted to enroll in a JC instead so that he would be eligible for selection again in 2011 Rule 4 Draft... Rated by Baseball America as the #1 prospect in Iowa coming into this year's draft... Led his team to the 2011 Division 2 JUCO World Series... Throws 90-92 MPH fastball that tops out at 94, a mid-80's slider, and a change-up... Has command issues...

trying to delete old user accounts, if I accidentally blitz yours, sorry. Email me and I'll get it back up.

is retiring (supposedly). No, I don't make this up. WGN 720 postgame just said that Judd Sirrott (sp?) said Zambrano packed up his belongings and left the clubhouse, saying that he is retiring. Most likely more Z antics, but thought I'd share... Az Phil (or anyone), if he retires, we don't have to pay him for the rest of the season, right?

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

i love Z, but you don't leave the park in the middle of the game...hell, after you see the trainer and do your clubhouse crap you sit in the dugout, watch the rest of the game, and root on the batters if you've got a loyal pair. i dunno what Z's intentions are, but i know some people have 18m freed up dancing in their eyes...dunno if Z wants to walk away from that.

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

Was at the game tonight (last time I'd seen that many fannies at Turner field in person was game 5 of the NLDS in 2003). Quite a contrast between Quade and the man they were honoring tonight at Turner Field. Z's first two times at bat, runner on 2nd base with no outs and didn't attempt a bunt either time ... hard to imagine Cox putting up with that.

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

Z's first two times at bat, runner on 2nd base with no outs and didn't attempt a bunt either time ... hard to imagine Cox putting up with that 1 - not bunting there was the right decision 2 - I doubt Z refused to bunt. He wasn't given the bunt sign. So not sure how Cox wouldn't put up with his own decision to not bunt.

[ ]

In reply to by Tony S.

Submitted by Tony S. on Fri, 08/12/2011 - 8:34pm. is retiring (supposedly). No, I don't make this up. WGN 720 postgame just said that Judd Sirrott (sp?) said Zambrano packed up his belongings and left the clubhouse, saying that he is retiring. Most likely more Z antics, but thought I'd share... Az Phil (or anyone), if he retires, we don't have to pay him for the rest of the season, right? ==================================== TONY S: Zambrano would forfeit the balance of his contract if he retires, but I would be surprised if he actually files retirement papers to make it official. If Z just leaves the team but doesn't actually file papers, he can be placed on the Restricted List until his contract expires (after next season), and the Cubs don't have to pay him while he is on the Restricted List, and he does not count against the Cubs 40-man roster. BTW, when the Cubs placed Zambrano on the Restricted List last year (when he was dealing with his Anger Management issues after the blow-up at the Cell), the Cubs chose to pay him anyway. It's a bit more complicated if he changes his mind and decides to return to the team, because there could be some MLBPA involvement if the Cubs try to suspend him without pay for some period of time.

For someone who wasn't born until '77 and only became a fan of 'Ronnie' in the booth, thank you for this. What a great narrative.

Calling Mr. Ricketts here is your chance to show what kind of owner you are tell Hendry what to do dont let Hendry just sugercoat this i personally think Quade sucks but if they dont back Quade after his going public Quade should follow Z out the door. Pure Cubbery. Post #69 post of the night.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

Seems like a mountain out of a molehill to me. This whole "walked out on the team" is a bunch of bullshit. Aram and Soriano coast through the whole fucking year, and Zambrano, admittedly a head case but at least one who cares if they win or lose, loses his shit one time and all the dumb fucks (no offense intended, unless you're Quade, then swallow some glass) pile on. It's one fucking game that he couldn't play any more in. Get over it. If he had punched Geovany in the face instead, the moron circus would be nominating him for Cy Young.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I'm waiting for the Sosa comparisons. It doesn't actually make me angry with Zambrano...he's the only guy on the team who actually seems to fucking care. But, enough is a enough. This is 'against the rules' but no big deal. Hell, he punched the fuck out of Barrett and gets Barrett shipped out of town for it. Now he's a not a team player because he left work early. Who gives a fuck?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Zambrano, admittedly a head case but at least one who cares if they win or lose, loses his shit one time and all the dumb fucks (no offense intended, unless you're Quade, then swallow some glass) pile on. ---- It's not the first time, nor the second time, nor the third time, nor the fourth time he's lost it. Sammy left during a game (twice in one season, actually) and the Cubs released surveillance footage and ran him out of town. From what I gather from the Tribune article, Z cleaned out his locker and left before the game was over. Q said his locker was empty and Z was gone when Q went into the locker room after the game. That's a pretty big deal. At the very least that's a suspension.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

he walked out mid-game...you can't do that. i'm with quade on that. it's bad enough when a starter leaves without a lead and without an injury just to chill in the clubhouse rather than in the dugout...leaving all-together is drastic and bad form. i'm a Z fan...Z did what wood and prior were supposed to do quietly while wood and prior were trying to keep their arms in 1 piece. not a fan of everything he's done with his anger, but he's always seemed to give a damn about baseball and community.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

This is the first this year perhaps Neal. Every year, there is some Zambrano drama. Fights with teammates, fights with umpires, blowing up like this. It's old. I hope he really retires. Tired, tired, tired act. If you want to act like a prima donna, at least pitch like one, and not like a 4th/5th starter type? Bye Carlos. don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Wow, not only do we have guys who have already mentally quit still playing, now we have quitters walking off the field too. This is as much of a 3-ring circus as it was last year and the year before under Lou, with all of the Shenanigans involving Silva and Z and Bradley... It is actually quite embarrassing to be a Cubs fan these days! How can you expect to win when guys are pretty much uncoachable?

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.