LaStella Rakes Far from the Maddon Crowd
Tommy LaStella belted a solo home run, two RBI doubles, and a single, Adonis Paula ripped a two-out two-run game-tying double in the bottom of the 7th, and Roberto Caro tripled and scored in the 7th and then drove-in what proved to be the winning run with an 8th inning sacrifice fly, as the Cubs rallied from a 5-0 deficit to edge the Athletics 7-6 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #6 at Mesa CubTown at Riverview Park.
Gabriel Santana and Carlos Hiciano drilled RBI doubles to highlight a two-run third and Iolana Akau hammered a three-run HR in the fourth for the A's in a losing cause.
The game was called after eight innings.
LaStella batted six times and reached base four times (he also was retired on an F-9 fly out and a 3-U ground out). He played second-base for the first four innings and then moved to third base for the next three, and he made one really nice play in the field, coming-in fast from third-base to snatch a slow one-hopper before throwing the batter out at 1st in a "bang-bang" play.
At the plate, both of LaStella's doubles were hard-hit line-drives, one crashing off the CF fence and the other drilled into the right-centerfield gap, and the home run was a line-drive shot over the RF fence. Even the F-9 fly out his first-time up was hit to the warning track. The single was an opposite-field looper that fell between the A's left-fielder. shortstop, and third-baseman in short-left near the foul line. LaStella didn't run at first (he apparently thought it would land in foul territory), or else he might have had still another double.
In just two Cactus League EXST rehab games (10 PA) so far, LaStella has seven hits (including four doubles and a HR) and a sacrifice fly, and six RBI.
Two of the three Extended Spring Training position player "conversion projects" were on the hill for the Cubs in today's game.
RHP Mark Malave (ex-C) got the start and was not effective, allowing two runs on three hits (including two doubles) and three walks in 2.1 IP. He didn't strike anyone out. Malave features a high-80's two-seam fastball that occasionally touches 90 MPH, and a curve (which is his best pitch). When he doesn't keep his fastball down in the zone, he can get hammered.
RHP Jae-Hoon Ha (ex-OF) pitched in relief and struggled with his command (as has been the case in most of his outings so far), issuing two walks in his one inning of work. (Cubs pitchers issued a combined nine walks today). Ha throws harder than Malave (he tops out at 92) and probably has more of a future as a pitcher, featuring the low-90's fastball, a curve, a slider, a change-up, and a "mystery pitch" (not sure even he knows what it is...)
Prior to the Cactus League EXST game on Field #6, RHPs Neil Ramirez (on the Cubs MLB 15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation), Santiago Rodriguez, and Pedro Araujo pitched in a two-inning "sim" game on Field #4. Rodriguez threw two innings (30 pitches) and Araujo and Ramirez each threw one inning (15 pitches a piece). Ramirez looked good, with no distress indicated by his body language or visible on his face during the course of the outing.
In EXST Cubs roster news, RHP Trevor Graham has been released, and catcher Roberto Vahlis and SS Rafael Narea have been assigned to the VSL Cubs.
the 23-year old Graham was the Cubs 2013 13th round draft pick out of Franklin Pierce University, and he has not pitched since Minor League Camp (he has been inactive at Extended Spring Training). He began last season at Extended Spring Training and was moved up to Daytona briefly in May, before ending up at Boise.
The 21-year old Vahlis (known affectionately as "Fuji" by his teammates) was at Minor League Camp at Riverview Park during Spring Training after spending the previous three seasons playing in Latin American summer leagues, with the DSL Blue Jays in 2012, and then with the VSL Cubs in 2013-14. (He is from Venezula).
Vahlis had three hits (all three singles) in five Cactus League EXST AB (all as a pinch-hitter or DH). He was originally signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as a 17-year old international free-agent in July 2011, and he has hit a combined 213/324/313 in 107 career minor league games (2012-14).
Narea was signed out of Venezuela by the Cubs as a 16-year old last July ("Signed for Future Service"), and was invited to Extended Spring Training after he turned 17 the first week of April. The slick-fielding Narea was hitless in eight Cactus League EXST Plate Appearances, but was impressive in the field. (Narea is one of 27 international free-agents signed by the Cubs so far in the 2014-15 International Signing Period)
The Venezuelan Summer League (VSL) begins play this coming Monday (5/18), and the league schedule had to be re-worked somewhat at the last minute after the Mariners suddenly and unexpectedly moved their VSL affiliate (VSL Mariners) to the Dominican Summer League (DSL) earlier this year (the affiliate will play in the DSL as DSL Mariners #2).
When the Cubs moved their second DSL:affiliate (DSL Cubs #2) to the VSL in 2013, the VSL became a five-team league at that time, resulting in a schedule where each of the five teams would play each of the other four VSL teams once and then get a bye on the 5th day. With only four teams now in the VSL (VSL Cubs, VSL Phillies, VSL Rays, and VSL Tigers), the schedule has been altered to where the four clubs will play six days in a row and then get Sundays off (like the Arizona Fall League).
Here is the abridged box score from today's Cactus League EXST game (Cubs players only), followed by the updated Cubs Extended Spring Training roster:
CUBS LINEUP:
X. Tommy LaStella, 2B-3B: 4-6 (F-9, 3-U, 1B, 2B, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI)
NOTE: LaStella batted third in the bottom of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th innings, and 4th in the 4th)
1. Roberto Caro, CF: 2-3 (1B, K, 3B, F-8 SF, R, RBI)
2. Robert Garcia, RF: 1-3 (4-3, HBP, 3-U, 1B, R)
3a. Alberto Mineo, C-DH: 1-3 (F-7, K, 1B, R, RBI)
3b. Danny Gutierrez, PH: 1-1 (1B)
4a. Kevin Encarnacion, DH #1: 1-2 (F-9, 1B, BB, 2 R)
4b. Roney Alcala, PH: 0-1 (K)
5a. Bryant Flete, DH #2: 0-0 (BB)
5b. Jose Paniagua, PH: 0-1 (P-3)
5c. Carlos Jimenez, PH-3B: 0-2 (K, 4-3)
6. Adonis Paula, 1B: 1-3 (P-3, 6-3, 2B, 2 RBI)
7. Varonex Cuevas, 3B-2B: 0-3 (L-7, F-7, K+WP)
8. Ricardo Marcano, LF: 0-3 (K, P-4, P-2)
9. Andruw Monasterio, SS:1-3 (K, F-8, 1B, R, SB)
10. Jhonny Pereda, DH-C: 1-3 (6-3, 5-3, 1B)
CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Mark Malave: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 2/5 GO/FO, 53 pitches (28 strikes)
2. Scott Frazier: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 1/1 GO/FO, 22 pitches (10 strikes)
3. Daniel Lewis: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 2 WP, 4/2 GO/FO, 36 pitches (19 strikes)
4. Jae-Hoon Ha: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 24 pitches (14 strikes)
4. Andin Diaz: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 27 pitches (16 strikes)
CUBS ERRORS: 1
C Alberto Mineo: E-2 (errant throw on pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 2nd)
CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Alberto Mineo: 1 E (see above)
2. Jhonny Pereda: 1-1 CS, 1 PB
WEATHER: Sunny & a bit breezy with temperatures in the 90's
ATTENDANCE: 15
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2015 CUBS EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING ROSTER
updated 5/13
71 players ACTIVE (includes ACTIVE REHAB and LIMITED ACTIVITY
6 players INACTIVE (injured or absent)
NOTE: The Extended Spring Training (EXST) squad consists of players who are the replacement cadre for the full season affiliates, players deemed not ready for full-season leagues, and injured players.
* bats or throws left
# bats both
PITCHERS: 41+3
Adbert Alzolay
Pedro Araujo
Daniel Bard
Jordan Brink
Jesus Camargo
Marcelo Carreno (LIMITED ACTIVITY - post-2013 right shoulder surgery)
Anthony Carter (ACTIVE REHAB)
Jesus Castillo (LIMITED ACTIVITY)
Dylan Cease (ACTIVE REHAB - 2014 TJS)
Oscar de la Cruz
Enrique de los Rios
* Andin Diaz
Greyfer Eregua
Scott Frazier
Tanner Griggs (LIMITED ACTIVITY - groin)
Jae-Hoon Ha (ex-OF)
Luis Hernandez (LIMITED ACTIVITY)
Corbin Hoffner
Pierce Johnson (LIMITED ACTIVITY - lat strain)
John Michael Knighton
Daniel Lewis
Mark Malave (ex-C)
Dillon Maples
Brad Markey
Trey Masek (ACTIVE REHAB - 2014 right shoulder surgery)
Trey McNutt (INACTIVE - 2014 right shoulder surgery)
Yomar Morel
Erling Moreno (ACTIVE REHAB - 2014 TJS)
* Ariel Ovando (ex-OF - LIMITED ACTIVITY)
Felipe Paulino
* Jose Paulino
Hector Perez
Neil Ramirez (ACTIVE REHAB - shoulder)
Austin Reed (ACTIVE REHAB - 2014 TJS)
Santiago Rodriguez
Jose Rosario (INACTIVE - 2015 TJS)
* Carson Sands
Alexander Santana
* Daniel Schlereth
* Justin Steele
Jacob Turner (INACTIVE - right elbow strain)
Austyn Willis
* Sam Wilson
Jose Zapata (ACTIVE REHAB - post-2013 cervical fracture)
CATCHERS: 7
Tyler Alamo
Eric Gonzalez
Yohan Matos;
* Alberto Mineo
Tyler Pearson
Jhonny Pereda
Miguel Rico (ex-3B)
INFIELDERS: 14+3
# Roney Alcala
# Varonex Cuevas
# Frandy de la Rosa
* Andrew Ely
* Bryant Flete
Wladimir Galindo
Danny Gutierrez
Carlos Jimenez
Tommy LaStella (ACTIVE REHAB - rib cage inflammation)
Joey Martarano (INACTIVE - attending college)
Andruw Monasterio (formerly a switch-hitter, he is now hitting only RH)
Mike Olt (INACTIVE - fractured right wrist)
Adonis Paula
Tim Saunders
* Carlos Sepulveda
Ho-Young Son
* Logan Watkins (INACTIVE - 2015 ruptured achilles tendon)
OUTFIELDERS: 9
# Roberto Caro
Jenner Emeterio
* Kevin Encarnacion (formerly a switch-hitter, he is now hitting only LH)
# Robert Garcia
Calvin Graves
Eloy Jimenez
Kevonte Mitchell
* Ricardo Marcano
Jose Paniagua
MANAGER
Carmelo Martinez (AZL Cubs Manager)
COACHES
Oscar Bernard (AZL Cubs Hitting Coach)
Tom Beyers (Assistant Minor League Hitting Coordinator)
Ricardo Medina (Eugene Hitting Coach)
Carlos Ramirez (AZL Cubs Assistant Coach)
Terrmel Sledge (Eugene Assistant Coach)
Anderson Tavares (Eugene Pitching Coach)
Rick Tronerud (Mesa Rehab Pitching Coach)
Ron Villone (AZL Cubs Pitching Coach)
Ty Wright (AZL Cubs Assistant Coach)
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACHES
Sean Folan (AZL Cubs)
Ryan Nordvedt (Eugene)
ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Chuck Baughman (Assistant Minor League Training Coordinator - Mesa Rehab)
Mike McNulty (Eugene)
Toby Williams (AZL Cubs)
Comments
Bring him up!!!!!!
He didn't RESPECT 90 on the
Should we assume LaStella
BOB R: I don't know what the
BOB R: I don't know what the plan is (rehab-wise), but LaStella looks pretty healthy to me.
However, I don't know how his rib-cage feels after playing two games in a row and getting 10 AB in such a short time, so that would probably be the over-riding factor in determining what's next.
Kluber with 12 K's through 5
Kluber with 12 K's through 5.1 IP, no-hitter as well.
through 6, 13Ks, 81 pitches..
no-hitter through 6, 13 K's
no-hitter through 6, 13 K's
Hit Holliday with a pitch in 1st though
Klawchat nugget
Klawchat nugget
Lewis (Tulsa) Have you had a chance to see Duane Underwood this year? Trying to keep SSS in mind, but seems like a lot to be bullish about. Klaw (1:46 PM) He didn't pitch when Myrtle was here, although I've heard the stuff has ticked up again. Might be their #3 prospect by year-end, after Schwarber (I'm assuming he doesn't get called up till late) and Torres. Klaw (1:46 PM) I guess it also depends on who they draft at #9. Latest rumor has them on Andrew Benintendi of Arkansas, a 5'9" or so LHH CF with surprising power.
http://baseballdraftreport.com/2015/04/09/sec...
Benintendi is 2nd in nation in HR's
he's assuming schwarb will be
Up in Sept, as at least a LH
it wouldn't be the hugest
Or if the Cubs are out of it
Peralta single with 2 outs in
Peralta single with 2 outs in 7th. K record still in jeopardy...15 through 6.2
16 through 7, just over 100
16 through 7, just over 100 pitches
18 through 8
18 through 8
hammel loads the bases with 1
39 pitches through 3ip...nice
The umpires have no fucking
nice brainfart cubs infield.
Haha Rizzo "drops" a bunt
Wouldn't have come up if the
Kris Bryant is a good
Addison Russell is a good
Another double for Russell.
Tony Two Sacks.
Woo.
Coghlan?
Rizzo re-enters game.
no more night games until
Coghlan played 1st on Sunday
Cubs with 17 walks in first 3
Coghlan shouldn't have been
Ultimately I agree, but he
Rizzo now tied for 1st among
This team is so bipolar.
I'll be around chat today.
I'll be around chat today.
ex-Cubs news...Rangers
ex-Cubs news...Rangers activated Fujikawa
Wood gives up HR and BB, I
Wood gives up HR and BB, I check how Wada is doing in Triple-A
(6.2 IP and 6 K, 1 ER, 4 H so far)
B. McKinney promoted to
B. McKinney promoted to Double-A btw...
Good for him. (Bad for me-
Also, Cubs released 2010 HS
Also, Cubs released 2010 HS draft picks RHP Ben Wells (7th round) and Dustin Geiger (24th round).
Both got "overslot" bonuses, with Wells getting "2nd round money" to give up his scholarship at the U. of Arkansas, and Geiger getting "5th round money" to give up his scholarship at Central Florida.
Billy McKinney promoted to AA
Two obvious observations:
Wada they gonna do?
Soler looks slow. Maybe it's
No way Travis makes his next
I would bet against it.
they didn't line up Wada to
they didn't line up Wada to start on the same day for nothing...
Stick a fork in him- He's
I'm not pumped about Wada, I
He might not be an ace but I
Is MLB Gameday broke or does
Anthony Recker having a
Anthony Recker having a Michael Barrett kind of day....
Maddon pgpc
tough day for Travis
Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnn
Cubs with the current longest
I wanted to measure the
wow, thanks!
You know right now I'm more
Going 2-4 against the Brewers
This is in twitter box-
well we still have the
well we still have the Blackhawks...
~sigh~
and Cubs
So long, Thibs -- you can
Hard to argue with anything
I agree...but Thibs didn't
Tough to see how that
He's a really good coach who
They clearly aren't good
He did the same thing every
This is very true about Thibs
Also good points. They have
I'm not a Thibs hater but
Rose wasn't burned out. Gasol
here is the decidedly anti
Too bad Rose couldn't go with
Oh, you're on of the D-Rose
Yes I am. :) He is just
I think there's a world of
The D-Rose hate is baffling.
Most of the Cutler hate is
BUT WHAT ABOUT THIS BODY
BWAAHAAHA!!
I think a big part of fans'
That's a good summary. He's
While I don't study other
I wouldn't say he's been
Fairly good description. But
Yeah but the money isn't his
I agree it is not his fault,
Well, that decision making
I agreed with the choice at
Can't disagree more. That
Agree to disagree then. Two
And let me add that him being
The reason why Cutler is an
Yeah I am sure Virginia is
Her team, she and her
Some of the Cutler hate is
Rose is just as likely to
O&B,
He averaged nearly 20.3
I'd say a guy like Cubster
I heard what I think is best
None of it matters anymore
Big Coughlan fan, are you?
Got a point.... 17.7 pts, 5
First part of the season, he
I hope. In the 3 losses to
After Rose's last comeback
Grant Hill?
not the same guy though...
not the same guy though...
Chris Paul tore up his knee pretty bad early in his career, seems to be just fine.
Tore up more than once? The
Bruce Miles @BruceMiles2112
New Baseball America mock
Keith Law mentioned his name
Keith Law mentioned his name too with the Cubs in his chat, I think I posted it, but maybe I forgot.
Safe to presume the Cubs could give 2 shits about whom the baseball writers think they should draft...10 years of kicking ass in the draft should give them the benefit of the doubt.
Bryant and Rizzo are scary.
KB down 0-2
The kid doesn't swing at
So Rizzo and Bryant for co
Kris Four Bags?
K4B
welly is adapting rather
He had some good ABs, was
he was looking good coming
He seems to be getting good
He seems to be getting good AB's and lots of hard hit balls. More importantly though, extra rest for Montero has been huge.
I care. It is stupid to have
Tony Four Sacks # 8
I love the whole "give up a
Plus one more for daring to
Pirates pitching coach looks
Pirates bullpen might not
Nice to see the Cubs are
Bulls need a complete
Bulls need a complete overhaul but Reinsdorf won't ditch Paxson/Forman. I think they're way behind the curve, the advanced metrics tell you that mid-range jump shots are basically a waste of time, either get in the paint or take a 3-pointer (the Rockets are the extreme example, but Warriors, Hawks, even Spurs know this by now). All I saw was mid-range jump shots the Bulls were missing in the 2nd quarter when the Cavs took over.
They won't fire or slam Thibodeau I'm guessing, as he's under contract and they want draft picks I'm sure if he goes to another teams Thibs is a good coach, although I do think he could slow down on the minutes and practices during the season, but Rose and Butler didn't even play down the stretch and Noah was on a minutes limit all season, so I'm not gonna put the blame on this year's loss to that.
I made the Rose is made of glass comment earlier, that's not to indicate his lack of toughness, he just gets hurt a lot it seems. You need a guy that can take over a game down the stretch and Rose is their only option. Saw some flashes of it in the playoffs, but the consistency isn't there. Maybe next year, but as others said, everyone else will get stronger. I don't know enough about their cap situation, but I presume re-signing Jimmy Butler is all that can do and some small pieces. The front office isn't timid though, especially in free agency, but I think Hawks, Raptors, Cavs are still gonna be the elite teams. Maybe Pacers jump back in with Paul George.
Good news is Cubs are in Game 5 of their 20-game winning streak...!!!
Butler to get max deal is the
Bulls giving Butler a max
Bulls giving Butler a max deal or someone else?
Bulls
a roster of Rose, Butler,
a roster of Rose, Butler, Mirotic, Gasol and Noah is a very good roster...that's an easy 50-win team in the Eastern Conference. Not good enough to win it probably, but a lot better than if they signed Carmelo (whom I think is a the worst "superstar" in the league).
I agree on many fronts.
You can scratch Noah, he's
Scratch Noah from the NBA? I
Scratch Noah from the NBA? I guess I doubt that, he doesn't have to be 2013-2014 Noah to be very effective.
Not worried about Gasol staying relevant, Malone and Duncan did it into their 40's, Gasol can last 2 more years easily.
Yeah, Noah's never going to
It seems to me Paxson/Forman
A very faiir assessment...
A very faiir assessment...
this is why Maddon always
this is why Maddon always pulls Hendricks early....
I turned the game on in the
I turned the game on in the bottom of the 5th...you're all welcome!
lefty Rosscup in to face McCutchen....jeebus.
impressive block on that 2-2
impressive block on that 2-2 wild pitch by Rosscup, makes up for the earlier passed ball.
and Rosscup got out of it...Maddon's a genius!!!!
cubs 10-5 Edlose proof?
I don't like that a 10-5 game
the single was bloop, but not
Ssshhhh, don't tell anyone,
That escalated quickly 10-9
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
10-10
Unreal.
Is the game halted for some
game on 2out in 10
What the hell was that? First
T. Wood pinch-hitting now in
T. Wood pinch-hitting now in 11th, did Cubs run out of hitters?
Come on, Travis, say good bye
If Jackson loosening up in
Mighty Matt!!!
rally gum buckets work.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media
https://pbs.twimg.com/media
Is it even legal to win a
Definitely a cringer... I
After leaving skid marks in