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

Can't wait for the day the Cubs finally operate the Javy Machinery

Yuck!
A pun.
Whatever, I'm sick of lookin' at the pothole guy and I figure might as well beat all the punster Cubs' headline writers to this one.

So I've managed my own expectations (already) and figure Javier Baez won't be on the Big League club this season.
I mean, you never know but this way it'll be REALLY amazing if he does and if not no big.
All the press this guy is getting makes me swell with pride, and you know... our. time. will. come!

Or something.

Okay, back to the commentary...

Comments

"Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat Fans parking on #Cubs Way need to be careful @javy23baez apparently broke a car window with one of his batting practice HRs" also, sureholds collided with lake and sureholds was sent "home" for the day...expected back tomorrow/soon.

Geo Soto is to have surgery at the back (posterior portion) of his ankle. A fairly uncommon but well described condition called Os Trigonum Syndrome. He will have a small spur removed (the spur never fused to the talus by the time growth was completed) arthroscopically from the back side of the talus (bottom bone of the ankle, deep to the achilles tendon). He's expected to be back by opening day. I saw a patient yesterday with the same condition although I've started treating it a bit more conservatively since he has had no previous treatment. He was seen before but the diagnosis wasn't made correctly (hint: my patient isn't a pro catcher). If conservative treatment doesn't work, then the surgery recommendation is appropriate. http://espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/10501097/geovany-soto-texas-ra… Os Trigonum Syndrome video as narrated by Dr. Nick (from the Simpsons): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r99cezP3GXo Dr. Nick's resume: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqImkDgDwHU

Dang I didn't know the league went kaput. As one of the co-founder of it can someone give me ownership I would like to continue the league. Dang spent 8 years or whatever work in on my team don't want to waste that.

"Mike Olt said Sunday that the vision issues that plagued him last year are entirely behind him now." power...can actually play 3rd good enough to stick there (unlike too many 3rd prospects)...tons of club control left... good stuff if he can get back on track.

Catcher Welington Castillo was asked to name a pitcher or two who have impressed him over the first two weeks of camp . “I had to face (Arodys) Vizcaino,” Castillo said. “The ball came out really good. You don’t see power pitches have that command. His velocity is amazing. He’s something special.” “I see Edwin (Jackson) way different than last year. More confident, better execution. I think he’s going to have a good year.”
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/21487/cubs-notes-olt-see…

FWIW/for what it's worth... Dan Bernstein, WSCR, tweets: "Source: Cubs finally convincing most rooftop-owners that any legal fight is futile and suicidal. A couple of defiant dead-enders left."

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

i wonder what the scale/footprint/height of the hotel they want to build as part of "ballpark renovation" is going to be. they're throwing out stupid numbers ($300 million one week...$500 million the next) and a chunk of these renovations have nothing at all to do with the ballpark (like the external advertising, the hotel, and all the land they've been snapping up around the park the past few years). they bought the mcdonalds property across from wrigley for a key part of the hotel's eventual construction. no matter what, it seems they really want to invest in a huge ballpark renovation outside of the "total ricketts plan" they want to build surrounding the park...so that's good as long as they deliver. it'll be interesting to see if they can get the rather hefty park renovation done in time (especially with the skitzo chicago winter weather) with a 6 month window when they get started on it.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

LOL. There are only a few pieces left in the World Series puzzle: - Construct hotel so visiting teams have easier travel schedule - Rename stadium, "Wrigley Field at Ameritrade Park" - Convince city to use power of eminent domain to convert Lincoln Park Zoo to High Plains Bison Ranch (threaten to move team to Rosemont if city doesn't oblige) - Reshape infield grass into the Under Armour logo - Sell individual ivy leaves with your name stenciled on them (along with a souvenir replica leaf) for only $199 each. Repeat each Spring. - Exhume Harry Caray's corpse and use animatronic technology to make it sing the Empire Carpet jingle during the 7th inning stretch Did I miss anything? World Series here we come!

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

ESTIMATED 2014 CUBS MLB PLAYER PAYROLL: 

SIGNED: 
Edwin Jackson - $11M
Jason Hammel - $6M plus $1M performance bonus
Jeff Samardzija - $5.345M
Starlin Castro - $5M
Nate Schierholtz - $5M
Carlos Villanueva - $5M
Kyuji Fujikawa - $4M plus $2M performance bonus based on GF
Travis Wood - $3.9M
Jose Veras - $3.85M plus $150K performance bonus based on GF
Darwin Barney - $2.3M
Justin Ruggiano - $2M
Jorge Soler - $2M
James Russell - $1.775M
Anthony Rizzo - $1.75M salary & $1.25M second-installment of signing bonus
Luis Valbuena - $1.71M 
Ryan Sweeney - $1.5M 
Wesley Wright - $1.425M
Pedro Strop - $1.325M
George Kottaras - $1.075M 
James McDonald - $1M plus ??? performance bonus
Donnie Murphy - $825K plus $250K performance bonus
OTHER: Alfonso Soriano ($13M) and Gerardo Concepcion ($500K)
SUB-TOTAL: $82.53M

PRE-ARB (TENDERED):
Arismendy Alcantara
Jake Arrieta
Dallas Beeler
Alberto Cabrera
Welington Castillo
Justin Grimm
Brett Jackson
Junior Lake
Mike Olt
Blake Parker
Neil Ramirez
Hector Rondon
Zac Rosscup
Chris Rusin
Matt Szczur
Christian Villanueva
Josh Vitters
Arodys Vizcaino
Logan Watkins
5 pre-arb to fill-out roster (if no players on DL) - PROJECTED ESTIMATED SUB-TOTAL: $2.625M? ($500K MLB minimum/average $525K per player)
14 players on optional assignment (not including Soler) - PROJECTED ESTIMATED SUB-TOTAL: $1.4M? ($40K/$80K minimum/average $100K per player)

PROJECTED ESTIMATED 2014 TOTAL MLB PLAYER PAYROLL: $86.555M (plus $3.15M+ performance bonus)

 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

ARTICLE XX-B MLB FREE-AGENTS POST-2014:
Kyuji Fujikawa (vesting option or club option with buy-out for 2015)
Jason Hammel
Nate Schierholtz
Jose Veras (club option with buy-out for 2015)
Carlos Villanueva

SIGNED BEYOND 2014:
Edwin Jackson ($11M in 2015-16)
Starlin Castro ($6M in 2015, $7M in 2016, $9M in 2017, $10M in 2018, $11M in 2019, and $16M club option for 2020, with $2M additional in both 2019 & 2020 if Top 5 MVP twice 2013-19)
Kyuji Fujikawa ($5.5M vesting option plus $500K performance bonus or $5.5M with $500K buy-out club option in 2015)
Jose Veras ($5.5M or $150K buy-out club option in 2015)
Anthony Rizzo ($5M in 2015-16, $7M in 2016-17, $11M in 2019, $14.5M in 2020-21 with $2M club option buy-out each season 2020-21, 2019-21 salaries increase by $1M if one MVP or two Top 5 MVP 2013-19, and player may void 2021 club option with Top 2 finish in MVP 2013-19 and/or subsequent trade)
Jorge Soler ($2M in 2015, $3M in 2016-17, and $4M in 2018-20, plus right to opt out if salary arbitration eligible)
Ryan Sweeney ($1.5M in 2015 and $2.5M club option or $500K buy-out in 2016)
OTHER: Gerardo Concepcion ($500K in 2015 and $1M in 2016)

PROJECTED ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE POST-2014:
Jake Arrieta (but only if at least 28 days of MLB Service Time are accrued in 2014)
Darwin Barney
Welington Castillo
George Kottaras
James McDonald
Donnie Murphy
Justin Ruggiano
James Russell
Jeff Samardzija
Pedro Strop
Luis Valbuena
Arodys Vizcaino (would very likely qualify as a “Super Two” with at least 86 days of MLB Service Time in 2014)
Travis Wood
Wesley Wright

AUTO-RENEWAL (PRE-ARBITRATION) POST-2014:
Arismendy Alcantara
Jake Arrieta (but only if not eligible for Salary Arbitration)
Dallas Beeler
Alberto Cabrera
Justin Grimm
Brett Jackson
Junior Lake
Mike Olt
Blake Parker
Neil Ramirez
Hector Rondon
Zac Rosscup
Chris Rusin
Matt Szczur
Christian Villanueva
Josh Vitters
Arodys Vizcaino (but only if not eligible for Salary Arbitration)
Logan Watkins


[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

CUBS MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR SELECTION IN DECEMBER 2014 RULE 5 DRAFT (last updated 2-15-2014):
Gilberto Abreu, RHP
Gioskar Amaya, INF
John Andreoli, OF
Delbis Arcila, OF
Jose Arias, RHP
Jeffrey Baez, OF
Frank Batista, RHP
Yaniel Cabezas, C
Javier Castro, RHP
Zach Cates, RHP
Hunter Cervenka, LHP
Pin-Chieh Chen, OF
Gerardo Concepcion, LHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Willson Contreras, C
Wes Darvill, INF
Taylor Davis, C
Frank del Valle, LHP
Zeke DeVoss, OF
Alberto Diaz, LHP
Jose Dore, IF-OF
C. J. Edwards, RHP
Kevin Encarnacion, OF
P. J. Francescon, RHP
Victor Garcia, LHP
Dustin Geiger, INF
Anthony Giansanti, OF
Reggie Golden, OF
Jae-Hoon Ha, OF
Kyle Hendricks, RHP
Marco Hernandez, INF
Michael Jensen, RHP
Eric Jokisch, LHP
Jin-Young Kim, RHP
Austin Kirk, LHP
Matt Loosen, RHP
Rafael Lopez, C
Jeff Lorick, LHP
Barret Loux, RHP
Dillon Maples, RHP
Eric Martinez, RHP
Andrew McKirahan, LHP
Trey McNutt, RHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Alberto Mineo, C
Carlos Montero, INF
Yoanner Negrin, RHP
Loiger Padron, RHP
Amaury Paulino, RHP
Carlos Penalver, INF
Felix Pena, RHP
Wilfredo Petit, C
Ivan Pineyro, RHP
James Pugliese, RHP
Austin Reed, RHP
Greg Rohan, IF-OF
Victor Salazar, RHP
Francisco Sanchez, INF
Tayler Scott, RHP
Rock Shoulders, 1B
Rubi Silva, OF
Brian Smith, LHP
Kenny Socorro, INF
Elliot Soto, INF
Nick Struck, RHP
Antonio Valerio, C
Yao-Lin Wang, RHP
Ben Wells, RHP
Oliver Zapata, OF
Brad Zapenas, INF
Tony Zych, RHP

Additionally, any player eligible to be a Rule 55 Six-Year Minor League Free-Agent (6YFA) post-2014 who signs a 2015 minor league contract or agrees to a 2015 minor league successor contract prior to the December 2014 Rule 5 Draft will be eligible for selection.

Also, any player eligible to be a Rule 55 Second Contract Minor League Free-Agent who signs a 2015 minor league contract prior to the December 2014 Rule 5 Draft will be eligible for selection if the player was 18 or younger on the June 5th immediately prior to signing his first contract and it is at least the 5th Rule 5 Draft since he signed his first contract, or the player was 19 years or older on the June 5th immediately prior to signing his first contract and it is at least the 4th Rule 5 Draft since he signed his first contract.  

CUBS RULE 55 MINOR LEAGUE FREE-AGENTS POST-2014:

SIX-YEAR FREE-AGENT:
Lars Anderson, 1B (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Jeffry Antigua, LHP
John Baker, C (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Emilio Bonifacio, IF-OF (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Marcelo Carreno, RHP
Lendy Castillo, RHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Hunter Cervenka, LHP (see NOTE)
Chris Coghlan, OF (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Casey Coleman, RHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Aaron Cunningham, OF (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Charlie Cutler, C
Paolo Espino, RHP
Eduardo Figueroa, RHP
Luis Flores, C
Edgar Gonzalez, INF (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Carlos Gutierrez, RHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Marcus Hatley, RHP
Tommy Hottovy, LHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Walter Ibarra, INF
Ryan Kalish, OF
Mitch Maier, OF (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Darnell McDonald, OF (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Jonathon Mota, INF
Starling Peralta, RHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Carlos Pimentel, RHP
Dae-Eun Rhee, RHP
Ryan Roberts, INF (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Jose Rosario, RHP
Jonathan Sanchez, LHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Brian Schlitter, RHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Ryan Searle, RHP
Jeudy Valdez, INF (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Chris Valaika, INF (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Casper Wells, OF (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Eli Whiteside, C (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
NOTE: Hunter Cervenka will be eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league 6YFA post-2014 if he signed a 2008 contract when he signed his "first contract" with the Boston Red Sox on 8-15-2008. However, if he was “Signed for Future Service“ (first contract was a 2009 contract), he will not be eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league 6YFA until post-2015.

SECOND CONTRACT FREE-AGENT
Carlos Figueroa, INF (previously released by CHC)
Humberto Garcia, INF (previously released by CHW)
Chang-Yong Lim, RHP (previously non-tendered by CHC)
Alan Oaks, RHP (previously released by MIA)
Yomar Pacheco, RHP (previously released by PIT)
Brohiglyn Rivero, RHP (previously released by TB)
Orbandy Rodriguez, RHP (previously released by AZ)
Roberto Vahlis, C (previously released by TOR)
Tsuyoshi Wada, LHP (contract expired with BAL)
NOTE: Even if they sign 2015 minor league contracts, B. Rivero, Vahlis, and Wada will not be eligible for selection in the December 2014 Rule 5 Draft. 

 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I'm not sure where this was posted, but somebody at some Cubs blog or message board or web-site somewhere apparently decided that I must have made a mistake and meant Javier Baez when I listed Jeffrey Baez as being Rule 5 Draft eligible post-2014, but for those of you who care, it is not a mistake.

Javier Baez is NOT eligible for selection in the December 2014 Rule 5 Draft (he is not Rule 5 eligible until post-2015), but OF Jeffrey Baez (who shares the same last name as Javy but who is a different player) IS eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft post-2014.

As far as December 2014 Rule 5 draft eligibles are concerned, the only two who would (at this time) appear to be virtual locks to get added to the 40 by the 11/20 deadline are C. J. Edwards  and Kyle Hendricks, although others could play themselves into consideration for inclusion during the course of the 2014 season. 

Although C. J. Edwards was a HS draft pick in 2011 and thus normally would not have been eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft for the first time until post-2015, he is eligible for selection in the December 2014 Rule 5 Draft because he was 19 years old as of the June 5th immediately prior to signing his first contract. Same goes for two other 2011 HS  draft picks, Dillon Maples and Tayler Scott. While it occasionally happens that a HS kid is 19-years old when he is drafted, it is VERY unusual to have three such players Rule 5 eligible for the first time in the same year. 

fuji threw off the mound today...still not expected back until "mid season"... also, "According to George A. King III of the New York Post, Johan Santana (shoulder) topped out at 81 mph during his throwing session Tuesday." yow.

So with this new home collision rule, it seems like there's a better chance, not worse, that catchers will get hurt. I haven't read the background of it, so I don't know if it is the Buster Posey rule or if it is meant to protect the runners. Either way, if I'm a baseball coach, I'm telling my catchers to continue to be aggressive in protecting and blocking the plate, because it's more dangerous to be tentative. If the run scores because you are too aggressive, oh well. It probably would have scored anyway.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

i see a greater chance of smaller (day to day, short DL) injuries because a lot of guys will be going in with their spikes, but there's probably less of a chance of long term DL stuff. runners not being able to change their path on approach could easily lead to more contact, though probably not football-like contact. the catchers are going to have to really pay attention to the footwork of setting up for the ball on close plays and being ready to make the play rather than the "catch, brace for impact, hold onto ball as hard as possible" setup. it's hard to gauge how it's going to work out until it happens. it doesn't happen too much, but it happens a good chunk of the season over all the games/teams combined.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Seems to me that it is still permissible for the runner to collide with a catcher who is blocking the plate before he gets the ball. That is, it puts the onus of responsibility on the catcher to not be in front of the plate until he is trying to make the tag. The problem I see with that is that the catcher has only the protection of his own health to motivate him not to try to fudge this part. The pressure to win is probably going to motivate a lot of catchers to put themselves at risk.

"#Cubs lineup for Thursday: Bonifacio 2B, Valbuena 3B, Castro SS, Rizzo 1B, Lake CF, Castillo C, Ruggiano LF, Olt DH, McDonald RF, Samardzija" boni is gonna get his chance to show he can man 2nd...can't argue with it, though i have doubts about it working out. i wouldn't object to seeing him pull a lot time there. we already know he's CF/LF capable.

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.