RHP Marco Carrillo and RHP Justin Berg will be back in the Cubs 0rganization next year, as two more post-2011 Rule 55 Minor League Free-Agents have re-signed with the Cubs, joining OF Jim Adduci and INF Jonathon Mota who re-signed earlier this month. (OF Brad Snyder and INF Scott Moore have signed minor league deals with HOU).
Berg will be spending most of 2012 rehabbing from TJS at Fitch Park, but Carrillo should have a decent shot at making the Iowa Cubs roster as a rubber-armed "swing-man" (starter/reliever).
The 24-year old Carrillo is presently pitching for Obregon in the Mexican Pacfic League (LMP), and is 3rd in the LMP in ERA among league starters.
Here is the updated list of Cubs Minor League free-agents who have not signed contracts for 2012:
NOTE: As an Article XX-B minor league FA, OF Luis Montanez had until Friday 11/25 to decide whether to accept his outright assignment to AAA Iowa, and still no word on whether he has accepted the assignment. If he does accept the assignment, he would defer free-agency until the day after the conclusion of the 2012 regular season (unless he is added back to a 40-man roster in the meantime).
SIX-YEAR MINOR LEAGUE FA:
Angel Guzman, RHP
Dylan Johnston, RHP (ex-OF)
Mario Mercedes, C
Chris Robinson, C (played for Team Canada in World Cup)
Carlton Smith, RHP (acquired from CLE in Kosuke Fukudome trade)
Alvaro Sosa, RHP (ex-C)
Jeff Stevens, RHP (acquired from CLE in Mark DeRosa deal post-2008)
John Urick, 1B (player-coach - Whitey Herzog's nephew)
PREVIOUSLY RELEASED MINOR LEAGUE FA:
Austin Bibens-Dirkx, RHP (Christian rock artist in the off-season)
Robert Coello, RHP (acquired from BOS last February for 2B Tony Thomas)
0-7 with 3K soriano vs chapman brought on to pinch hit with 2 on, 2 out, in the 9th.
make that 0-8 with 4K...cubs lose by 3.
...not like there was much better options, fwiw. meh.
Return of CRUNCH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jGpauNUaWY
c.granderson (NYY) broken left pinky after HBP...unbelievable.
no hitter gone after 8.1
a.sanchez (
CHCDET) no hitter through 7scott feldman 2r HR (1st career)
...cubs pitchers are rather awesome hitters this season. a few doubles, a couple homers...15 rbis for cubs pitchers.
cubs up 3-0, top 2nd.
Phil,
Will you give us a scouting report on the young Latino pitchers at Fitch. Do any of them impress? Thanks.
Hot Sheet Chat:
What is Jorge Soler's upside and or MLB comp? Thanks
Jim Shonerd: Scouts do worry about his swing mechanics a bit, but overall he’s got plenty of power and blends it with a feel for hitting. His offense was in a bit of funk after he got back from his suspension, but now he’s hitting .324 in May and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him end the year in Double-A.
Soler and Baez at #11 & 12 on Baseball America's weekly hot sheet.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/prospect-hot...
Give jd a few years and put one of his kids in the Cubs system, then compare them.
Soriano's lack of awareness carries on past the diamond....
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/24/alfonso-soriano-is-tired-of...
says he's tired of losing, doesn't want to be on a team with a bad record
yet is still on team with bad record after not wanting to be traded to Giants last year
a bit hard to hear...and a heavy on "bad" language (and humor)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Q8xga6P_0
Black Like Me By Mark Grace
http://deadspin.com/old-scouting-report-on-mark-gr...
a little less than 2 weeks til the draft...
M.Appel - 98.1ip 77h 21bb 121k - 2.20era
J.Gray - 110ip 69h 21bb 127k - 1.55era
K.Bryant - 203ab 69h 12db 30hr 60bb 38k 7/11sb - .340/.504 avg/ob% (9 errors/55 games playing 3rd)
Glad the love wasn't directed toward Gracie. Slumpbuster or jail bait.