Arizona Phil's Archives

Moises Ballesteros smacked an RBI double into the right-centerfield alley and scored and David Bote hammered an RBI triple into the LF corner and scored to highlight a three-run Cub 1st inning, Reivaj Garcia belted a two-run HR into the RF bullpen to plate two runs for the Cubs in the 2nd, and then after Hansen Lopez (RBI single), Jose Escorche (two-run single), and Darlyn Montero (two-run double) contributed run scoring hits in a five-run A's 5th that tied the game, Cristian More drilled an RBI single in the 6th and Bryan Serra laced an RBI single in the 7th, as the Cubs blew an early 5-0 lead and then came-back to edge the Athletics 7-6 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Saturday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

In addition, Jose Bonilla singled twice and scored twice and Angel Arevalo walked twice, lined an RBI single, and scored a run for the A's. 

Moises Ballesteros ended up collecting two doubles for the Cubs in the game as well as throwing out a runner trying to steal, while Frank Hernandez singled, doubled and scored, and drove-in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Signed by the Cubs for a $1.5M bonus as a 16-year old out of Venezuela in 2021 the same day the Cubs signed Christian Hernandez, Moises Ballesteros has thrown out 67% (6 of 9) of baserunners atempting steal against him in Cactus League EXST games, as well as picking a runner off 2nd base. In 46 Cactus League EXST plate appearances, he is hitting 216/348/297, with a 17% BB-rate and a 17% K-rate. 

A native of Cuba who migrated with his twin brother Omar to Spain where they played together on the Team Spain 18U squad, Frank Hernandez is a high-contact hitter, with a 14% K-rate but only a 3% walk-rate. He is hitting 303/333/394, and leads the team in RBI and AVG (minimum 30 PA). He was a two-way player (RHP / OF) in Spain prior to signing with the Cubs in December 2019, and you can see he has a pitcher's arm when he uncorks throws from the outfield. Twin brother Omar is a catcher, and he was signed by the Kansas City Royals in 2018. Omar is presently playing in Lo-A.  

Cubs RHRP Angel Gonzalez continues to impress, mixing his high-octane 96-98 MPH FB with an 87-89 MPH SL. His command isn't necessarily quite where it needs to be yet, but it's a lot better than it was.      

Although the game was played in Sloan Park, the A's played as the home team because the Cubs did not have enough pitchers available to cover more than seven innings. As a resuilt, the game was called after 7-1/2 innings of play.

In EXST Cubs roster news, 1B Felix Stevens has completed his rehab and he has rejoined Myrtle Beach. 

Here is the abridged box score for the game (Cubs players only): 

Ryan Reckley (2022 IFA - The Bahamas - $2.2M signing bonus) tripled and scored, walked and scored, and drilled an RBI single, Onil Perez laced two run-scoring singles and collected three RBI, Anyesper Sivira drove-in three runs with a two-run double and an RBI GO, Jean Pena walked and scored three times and smacked an RBI single, and P. J. Hilson singled and scored twice, leading the Giants to a 13-2 drubbing of the Cubs in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Friday morning at the Papago Park Complex in Phoenix, AZ.   

Cubs batters struck out twelve times, and Cubs pitchers issued 14 walks. 

David Bote played second-base for four innings and was the middle-man on a snappy inning-ending 6-4-3 DP in the bottom of the 2nd, before switching to DH in the 5th. He went 1-3 at the plate (struck out looking, then an F-7 to the warning track, and finally a 6-3 GO with 17-year old hot-shot SS Ryan Reckley showing off his plus range, glove, and arm to nip Bote at 1st base).   

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):  

Miguel Pabon and Brayan Altuve laced run-scoring singles, Felix Stevens and Reivaj Garcia singled, walked, and scored one run a piece, Raino Coran reached base three times on two singles and a walk and gunned down a runner trying to score from 2nd base on a line-drive single to RF, fireballin' RP Alfredo Zarraga struck out three of the last four men he faced (all three swinging) to protect the lead and record the win, and catcher Moises Ballesteros threw out a runner attempting to steal second base to end the game after earlier picking a runner off 2nd base to blunt a potential 4th inning rally, as the Cubs scored a late tie-breaking run and edged the Diamondbacks Black squad 3-2 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Thursday morning on Whilrlwind Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, east of Scottsdale, AZ.  

Danyer Sanabria drilled an RBI single and tripled and scored for the D'backs. 

The game was pre-planned as a seven-inning affair. 

David Bote saw his first game action of 2022 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder last October. He served as a DH in the game and went 1-3, grounding out in his first two ABs and then reaching base on an infield hit his final time up. Barring a medical setback, Bote will be playing in EXST games through next week, and then he will report to AAA Iowa on 5/23 and begin an official Article XIX-C Minor League Rehab Assignment. Because he was placed on the Cubs MLB 60-day IL during Spring Training, he must spend at least the first 60 days of the MLB regular season on the IL, which means June 6th is the earliest he can be reinstated.  

In EXST Cubs roster news, RHP Dakota Mekkes has completed his EXST rehab and he has moved-up to AAA Iowa (he pitched in just one Cactus League EXST game, and that was two days ago). Also, INF Carlos Sepulveda has been assigned to Iowa (he played in the EXST intrasquad game yesterday, so the move was sudden), and 1B Grayson Byrd has been moved up to South Bend. Like Jake Slaughter and Wyatt Short, Sepulveda and Byrd were left behind at EXST when the four Cubs full-season minor league affiliates left town last month. 

Here is the abridged box score from today's game (Cubs players only): 

Anthony Martinez threw two perfect innings and Miguel Pabon belted a triple, providing the highlights from a Cubs Extended Spring Training two-inning intrasquad game played Wednesday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The "core" of the proto-ACL Cubs -- Cristian Hernandez, Moises Ballesteros, Pedro Ramirez, and Rafael Morel -- got the day off. 

RHP Michael McAvene threw a bullpen prior to the game, so he could be ready for Cactus League EXST game action in the near-future. 

Here is the box score from the game:  

Deivi Estrada belted a solo HR, Luis Rubio singled twice, walked, stole a base, and scored a run, Jose Fernandez singled twice, scored a run, and drove-in another, Grayson Greiner drilled a single and a double, and Sean Poppen, Ricardo Yan, and Miguel Gil combined to toss a four-hit shutout with nine strikeouts, as the Diamondbacks Black squad blanked the Cubs 4-0 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Tuesday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was pre-planned as a seven inning affair.  

EXST Cubs top pitching prospect RHP Michael Arias (ex-SS) got the start for the Cubs, but had to leave the game after recording only one out when he suffered a lower body injury while covering home plate after a bases-loaded wild pitch. He also had a blister issue earlier in the inning, which may be why his usual upper 90's FB velo was down a couple of clicks (94-97 MPH instead of 96-99).      

RHP Dakota Mekkes (on AAA Iowa 7-day IL) made his first game appearance of the season, working 2.1 IP (30 pitches - 18 strikes) in relief. He allowed a run on two hits (the Estrada HR and the Greiner double), walked one, and struck out three (all swinging). He  displayed his usual 89-92 MPH FB, 85-88 CH, and 76-79 MPH CV in the game, had decent command of all of his pitches, and threw 60% strikes. Mekkes will be an MLB Rule 9 minor league 6YFA post-2022 if he isn't added to an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) or signs a 2023 minor league successor contract. He would appear to profile as a "once-through-the order / multi-inning" reliever at this point, and that's exactly how he was used in the game today.  

The best EXST Cub pitching performance of the day was by RHRP Angel Gonzalez, who mixed his high velo 96-98 MPH FB with a 86-87 MPH SL  - AND - with much better FB command than seen previously. His FB velo and command seem to be better when he can focus on throwing just one inning, instead of working two innings as he sometimes has been used in EXST games. Known as "Angel Gonzalez-Martinez" when he was signed by the Cubs as a 17-year old NDFA out of Puerto Rico in 2020, he now just goes by the name Angel Gonzalez. If he can command his hard stuff going forward and stay healthy, he will move quickly through the system, with a ceiling of a high-leverage one-inning reliever.   

In EXST roster news, INF Jake Slaughter has been moved-up to Hi-A South Bend. He was left behind in Mesa when the four full season affiliates left town last month and appeared to be a potential release candidate sooner rather than later, but he didn't pout, and has hit the ball very well while providing stellar defense at 3rd base in Cactus League EXST games over the past three weeks. If anybody "deserved" another chance, it was Jake Slaughter.   

Also, LHRP Wyatt Short has been assigned to AA Tennessee. Like Jake Slaughter, Short was left behind at EXST when the four Cubs full-season affiliates left town last month.Short is scheduled to be an MLB Rule 9 minor leaguer 6YFA post-2022. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

Brennon Lund belted a two-run HR, Gabriel Rodriguez doubled twice and scored a run, and SP Jorge Marcheco tossed three innings of one-hit shutout ball with five strikeouts, as the Angels defeated the Cubs 8-6 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Monday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Cristian Hernandez crushed a 440-foot solo HR high up onto the left-centerfield berm, walked, and drove-in a run with a sacrifice fly, Rafael Morel singled twice and knocked-in a run, Flemin Bautista laced a two-run triple and scored a run, and Grayson Byrd doubled, walked, and scored two runs for the Cubs in losing cause.  

LHP Jack Patterson (on AA Tennessee 7-day IL - March 2021 TJS) got the start for the Cubs and went two innings (36 pitches - 17 strikes, 3/0 GO/AO), allowing two runs (one earned), one hit (one of Gabriel Rodriguez's doubles), and four walks. He fanned two (both swinging, the last two men he faced), and induced an inning-ending GIDP in his first inning of work. He also committed a balk. Patterson threw mostly an 88-91 MPH FB with sinking action, mixed with with a few 79-82 MPH CV and one 84 MPH CH. He had a lot of trouble commanding his FB, and so he mainly threw his CV when he needed a strike.  

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):  

Christian Olivo belted a two-run double and Cristian Hernandez collected an RBI on a bases-loaded walk for the Cubs, and SP Wander Guante hurled four innings of two-hit shutout ball with seven strikeouts (no walks) for the Athletics, as the two teams played to a 3-3 tie in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Saturday morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was originally scheduled to be played at Sloan Park, but a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) event was held in the stadium simultaneous with the Cubs game, so the ball game was moved across the street. 

Pedro Ramirez returned to the Cubs lineup after being hit in the helmet by a pitch in an intrasquad game on Wednesday, so he apparently passed the concussion protocol with flying colors. 

In other EXST news, INF Andrelton Simmons has completed his EXST rehab and has been assigned to AAA Iowa on an official Article XIX-C Minor League Rehab Assignment (a maximum of 20 days because he is a position player, and the player can call it off at any time). Simmons appeared to be 100% at the plate and on the bases in Mesa, and while he hasn't played much shorstop in Cactus League EXST games, he did take grounders for 20 minutes on Field #1 on Wednesday and made all of the throws a shortstop would need to make in a game. How his shoulder felt afterward, I don't know. 

Here is the abridged box score from Saturday's game (Cubs players only): 

Cristian More hammered a solo HR and Jake Slaughter rapped an RBI double and a single and scored a run for the Cubs, and SP Jose Cabrera hurled three innngs of one-run ball for the Diamondbacks "Red" squad, as the two teams played to a 6-6 tie in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Friday morning on Whirlwind Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, east of Scottsdale, AZ. 

Cubs pitchers issued 11 walks (seven by SP Marino Santy), hit a batter, committed a balk, and uncorked four wild pitches. 

The game was called after six innings of play. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

P. J. Hilson belted an RBI double and a solo HR, Juan Perez laced a two-run single, Anthony Rodriguez walked four times and scored two runs, and SP Mikell Manzano tossed three innings of one-run ball and combined with three relievers to strike out 14 (including the last six outs by gas throwin' closer William Suarez), as the Giants edged the Cubs 5-4 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Thursday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Andrelton Simmons served as a DH and singled twice, tripled, and scored a run, Carlos Sepulveda drove-in two runs with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single and scored a run, and Dilan Granadillo drilled a two-run single, to account for the four Cub runs.  

The game was called after eight innings of play. 
 
Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

Bryan Serra belted a walk-off two-run HR halfway up the RF berm, as the Cubs "Blue" squad came from behind to edge the Cubs "Red" squad 2-1 in a three-inning Cactus League Extended Spring Training intrasquad game played at Sloan Park on Wednesday afternoon. 

Felix Stevens, Bryan Serra, and Carlos Morfa played for both squads.  

Pedro Ramirez was hit on the helmet by an Anthony Martinez fastball leading off the bottom of the first inning. He laid motionless on the ground for about a minute as Cubs trainers attended to him and was eventually helped off the field, but he was unable to remain in the game. I would think he will probably be in concussion protocol for a while.   

Here is the box score from the game: 

Andrelton Simmons singled twice, walked, and scored a run, Rafael Morel drilled a two-run double and an RBI single, walked, and stole a base, Brayan Altuve laced a double and an RBI single and scored a run, and Moises Ballesteros roped an RBI double, walked, and scored a run, helping the Cubs come from behind to edge the Athletics 8-7 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Tuesday morining on Field #4 at the Lew Wolff Training Complex at Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Darlyn Montero ripped an RBI single and an RBI double and drew a walk for the A's in a losing cause. 

Cubs and A's pitchers combined to issue 19 walks and throw nine wild pitches.  

The game was called after eight innings of play. 

In Cubs EXST news, OF Cole Roederer (July 2021 TJS) has completed his Mesa rehab assignment and has been temporarily assigned to Lo-A Myrtle Beach. He will be moved up to Hi-A South Bend once the weather warms up. Also, 1B-OF Felix Stevens (on the Myrtle Beach 7-day IL since April 15th) has reported to Mesa for a rehab assignment. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

Michael Arias fired three innings of one-hit shutout ball with five strikeouts (all five swinging), Cristian Hernandez blasted a three-run HR over the LF bullpen to the spot Al Yellon occupies during Cubs MLB Spring Training games, and Miguel Pabon made his game debut as a catcher and drilled an RBI single, as the Cubs "Blue" squad blanked the Cubs "Red" squad 5-0 in a three-inning intrasquad game played Monday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ.

Michael Arias is the Cubs top pitching prospect at Extended Spring Training, and will likely be the ACL Cubs #1 starter once the ACL season begins in June. A former shortstop in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, the 20-year old Arias was signed by the Cubs in 2021 and converted to a RHP after he was released by the Jays. He features a 96-99 MPH FB (he has touched 100 in "live" BP), a SL, and a CH, and while his slider command can be a bit inconsistent and the change is a new pitch he is just starting to throw in games, he had all of his pitches working for him today.  

Here is the box score from the game: 

Anthony Rodriguez reached base five times (four walks and a single) and scored two runs, Kwan Adkins singled and scored in the 1st inning and clubbed a two-run HR in the 2nd, Tyler Forner ripped an RBI single and scored in the 2nd and belted a solo HR in the 7th, and Elian Rayo laced an RBI double, walked three times, and scored a run, leading the Giants to an 11-6 victory over the Cubs in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Saturday morning at the Papago Park Complex in Phoenix, AZ. 

Pedro Ramirez slugged a two-run HR, singled and scored, and drew a walk, and Edgar Gamargo and Grayson Byrd each ripped a two-run double to account for the six Cub runs. An inning after his two-run double, Gamargo suffered a left knee injury trying to corral one of Wyatt Short's wild pitches and had to be carried off the field.    

Andrelton Simmons got back into game action as a DH, going 1-3 with a single and a stolen base. He has been taking grounders most every morning on Field #1 at the Cubs facility, but I haven't seen him throw since before he was shut down last week. What he does do is he fields the grounder (sometimes in spectacular fashion) and then tosses the ball into a nearby bucket, sort of like the Grand Prize Game at Bozo's Circus back in the day. 

Cristian Hernandez struck out three more times today (all three swinging), so he has struck out twelve times in 23 PA over the course of the six Cactus League Extended Spring Training games in which he has played so far.

One more Cubs pitcher who pitched in the DSL last season (Oliver Roque) made his stateside debut in the game. (SP Joel Sierra also pitched in the DSL in 2021, but he has been pitching in games since Minor League Camp in March). Still waiting to see Anthony Martinez and Anthony Mendez.  

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

Cole Roederer clobbered a solo HR, Jake Slaughter laced a double and a single, drew a walk, stole a base, and scored a run, and SP Marino Santy hurled three innings of one-run ball and combined with six relievers on a one-hitter, as the Cubs defeated the Athletics 4-1 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Friday morning at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Roederer's bomb was his second in two days, and this one landed half-way up the right-centerfield berm.    

Three more Cubs pitchers who spent the 2021 season in the DSL made their stateside game debut in the game. 

The A's lone hit was an Jose Escorche double that led-off the game. Escorche then took third on an F-8 and scored on a 5-3 GO. The only other baserunner reached via a walk with one out in the 7th inning, and that runner was erased on a spectacular inning ending 6-4-3 DP started by SS Josue Huma, who made a no look / back-flip to 2nd basseman Carlos Sepuveda, who then completed the turn with a solid throw to 1st base.   

Although they only fanned four, Cubs pitchers collectively recorded 16 ground ball outs in the game. 

Marino Santy was dominiant in his three innings, allowing just the one hit and the one run, while issuing no walks and striking out three. The little lefty has a true starting pitcher's repertoire, featuring a 93-96 MPH FB, an 84-85 MPH CH, and a 78-81 MPH CV that he mixes with good effect.

Not counting pitchers at EXST for rehab & conditioning, Santy is the Cubs top LHSP prospect at EXST. He and RHSP Michael Arias should provide the ACL Cubs with a formidable 1-2 SP punch once the ACL season starts in June. Santy and Arias were two of the four DSL Cubs pitchers who were brought up to Minor League Camp in March and made their stateside debuts in Minor League Spring Training games prior to the start of EXST (the other two were RHPs Kenyi Perez and Joel Sierra, and like Santy and Arias, K. Perez is being primed to be a SP).     

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only): 

Grayson Byrd went 3-3 with two singles and a solo HR and scored two runs, Cole Roederer belted a solo HR, amf SP Jack Petterson and six relievers combined to toss a two-hitter, as the Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks Red squad 4-1 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Thursday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Roederer's HR was hammered high & deep down the RF line and landed in the D'backs bullpen, and Byrd's moonshot hit the Hornitos Party Tent above & beyond the RF berm. 

This was Patterson's first game action since undergoing TJS a year ago, working 2.1 IP and throwing 27 pitches (only 14 strikes). He didn't allow any hits, struck out three (one swinging, two looking), and issued two walks. He also induced a "room service" inning-ending 6-4-3 GIDP in the top of the 1st. Patterson's stuff was just OK (not great) -- FB: 89-92, CH: 82-84, and CV: 79-81. He wasn't particularly sharp, but under the circumstances that's probably understandale.   

Five of the relievers who threw for the Cubs pitched in the DSL last season and were making their stateside game debut. 

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):