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

DeVoss Walk-off Debut a Hit for AZL Cubs

Making his pro debut, Cubs 2011 3rd round draft pick Zeke DeVoss (U. of Miami) laced a two-out walk-off RBI double off the RF fence in the bottom of the 10th inning to score PR Gregori Gonzalez with the winning run, as the AZL Cubs edged the AZL Rangers 4-3 in Arizona League action at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park last night.

A speedy switch-hitting 2B-CF, DeVoss is the only Cubs 2011 draft pick selected in the first 15 rounds to sign so far. (He was a so-called "draft-eligible sophomore," because he turns 21 within 90 days of the draft).

DeVoss was the DH in his first professional game, hitting 7th in the order. He struck out (swinging) in his 1st and 3rd ABs, grounded out to short in his 2nd AB, and flied out to the warning track in RF in his 4th AB, before crushing his game-winning walk-off double off the RF fence in the 10th. DeVoss displayed more power and loft in his swing (at least hitting LH) than I had thought he would show.

Meanwhile, Cubs 2011 27th round draft pick Taiwan Easterling (Florida State) lined a single with two outs in the bottom of the 9th to extend his hitting streak to six games (he is now hitting 500/517/714 through his first seven pro games covering 29 PA). The 22-year old FSU Seminole also made a slick diving catch in CF for the first out in the top of the 3rd, and threw out a runner trying to advance from 2nd base to 3rd base on a pick-off attempt overthrow to end the top of the 3rd.

Easterling is clearly more advanced than might have been expected, considering he did not play baseball his first two years at Florida State. But he was named "Mr. Baseball" in Mississippi in his senior year at Oak Grove HS and played on several post-season HS All-Star teams and in showcase games, and was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 6th round of the 2007 June Draft, before deciding to enroll at FSU. So it's not like he's just now learning how to play baseball.

Easterling received a reported $200K signing bonus (about equivalent to "4th round money"), which can be spread over five years since he is a two-sport player (he is also a WR on the Seminole football team). It is unclear at this time whether Easteling will return for his senior season at FSU to play football (and if he does, he would be a 5th year redshirt senior).

The AZL Cubs actually should have won the game in regulation, which would have ended Easterling's hitting streak and left DeVoss with an 0-4 pro debut. But the defense fell apart with the Cubs leading 3-2 with two outs and nobody on base in the top of the 9th, as SS Marco Hernandez bobbled a ground ball (which the official scorer generously ruled a hit), and then 2B Gioskar Amaya fell down fielding what should have been the 4th out of the inning (also ruled a single), before throwing the ball past the first-baseman, after-which catcher Yaniel Cabezas recovered the ball near home plate and proceeded to fire the ball into LF trying to nab the Ranger base-runner who was trying to advance from 2nd to 3rd, thus allowing the runner to score (Keystone Kubbery at its best!). Inexplicably, the only error charged in the inning was Amaya's bad throw, although it should have been obvious (even to the official scorer) that the only reason the runner scored from 3rd base with the tying run was because of the Cabezas errant overthrow at 3rd base.

AZL Rangers pitchers struck out 15 AZL Cubs in the game, with 13 out of 14 outs between the 4th and 8th innings coming via the punch-out, including Gioskar Amaya and Dustin Geiger three times a piece. One Cub hitter the Rangers pitchers could not get out (until striking him out with one out in the bottom of the 10th) was 19-year old Venezuelan LF Eduardo Gonzalez, who singled in each of his first four AB, scoring a run and driving-in another, while also stealing three bases (one CS).

The lefty swinging E. Gonzalez is a slash hitter who sprays the ball all over the field (he also had a bunt single last night), but he has no HR power (unless he manages to line the ball over the fence). While he's not a "burner" he does run well and seems to get a pretty good read when stealing bases, and he plays a passably-adequate defense at all three OF positions with a so-so arm.

18-year old LHP Brian Smith (Cubs 40th round draft pick - Canadian Junior National Team) got the start for the AZL Cubs and threw four innings of one hit shutout ball (57 pitches - 33 strikes), with two walks and a HBP (and no strikeouts and 4/7 GO/FO). Smith breezed through three of his four innings, but he labored in the top of the third, needing 29 pitches (while throwing only 14 strikes) to get through the inning.

box score

Comments

Thanks, Phil. Seems like Easterling and Geiger are a bit out of place in the AZL, though the players in Boise haven't even been there for a month, so it may be hard to do anything with them at this point...

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

Submitted by Jace on Thu, 07/14/2011 - 11:45am. Thanks, Phil. Seems like Easterling and Geiger are a bit out of place in the AZL, though the players in Boise haven't even been there for a month, so it may be hard to do anything with them at this point... ================================= JACE: True. Although I would be VERY surprised if Taiwan Easterling and Dustin Geiger (and now Zeke DeVoss) aren't promoted at least to Boise (if not to Peoria) before much longer. If Kenny Socorro can get moved up to Boise after playing only one AZL game, and if P. J. Francescon, Pete Levitt, and Ben Klafczynski can get a ticket to Peoria just a month after getting drafted, so can others with more upside. Generally speaking, unless a player signs right after the draft and gets a week's worth of work-outs at Fitch Park prior to the start of the short seasons (as happened with Klafczyunski, Hoilman, and Zapenas), he will have to spend some time playing in the AZL, even if the player is clearly too advanced for "rookie ball."

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

BTW, if they don't sign him by the 8/15 deadline, the Cubs will retain negotiating rights to 37th round pick RHP Steven Maxwell (TCU) until one week prior to the 2012 June Draft, because Maxwell is a 5th year college senior with no college eligibility left. (This is the only Cubs 2011 draft pick not yet signed who falls into this class of draft pick). Maxwell was named Mountain West Pitcher of the Year and a 2nd team All-American in 2010 (and started a game in the 2010 College World Series), but has had his college career interrupted with TJS in 2008 and a sore arm in 2011. He turns 24 in September, so I hope he realizes that the meter is running.

I'm always amazed at what I learn from Arizona Phil. Thanks. For those interested I attended a 3 day Peoria series in Cedar Rapids over the week end. People have been discussing Austin Kirk's fastball on this blog recently. He registered 87 pretty consistently which doesn't knock your eyes out but it's hard to knock success as he followed up a 9 inning no hitter with six shutout innings. Jokish pitched at 84-85 most of the time but hit 87-88 now and then. How accurate are ball park gun readings? Peralta ran it up to 91-92. Both Kirk and Jokish looked like they are getting some polish from coach Jeff Fassero. Other observations were that Alcantara can really pick it and throw it and that Sergio Burruel looks like a better hitter than indicated by his .220 average but what can you tell from seeing him in one game!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/sports/baseball/mets-traded-rodriguez… K-Rod switched agents last month and previous agent (Paul Kinzer) had never submitted to Mets the 10 teams on K-Rod's NTC. When he moved to Boras, he never got around to doing it either. and then according to Heyman, the original list that I guess Kinzer had, did have Brewers on it, it was just never given to the Mets. And apparently why the Brewers made out like bandits in the deal cause the Mets wanted to move him to the first team they could. My first thought is they could just nullify the deal, but apparently it's all on the up and up and nothing K-Rod can do.

Fukudome RF, Castro SS, Ramirez 3B, Pena 1B, Byrd CF, Soriano LF, Soto C, Barney 2B, Garza P

A. Kirk falls back to Earth 4 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K Flaherty and Jackson each with doubles in their AAA debuts Szczur 0/5 in Daytona, Ha with a double for the Smokies

they say who is going down when Z gets activated? Yahoo shows Ramon Ortiz starting Monday, and I don't think they'll cut Lopez. Probably Cub Carpenter?

Fukudome, RF Castro, SS Ramirez, 3B Pena, 1B Byrd, CF Soto, C Soriano, LF Barney, 2B Dempster, P http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/6001 Marmol hasn't had a K in 5 straight appearances... Colvin with his 7th HR for Iowa last night

Fukudome starts the day at .270. Is this the highest his average will be the rest of the season? He's quietly fallen off of late, after quietly not producing all season, despite the decent avg/opb for most of it.

Apparently this kid has upset the front office in Florida? I wonder what it would take to pry him loose? Would it be worth trading Bjax and Szczur to have Logan Morrison and Ian Stewart manning the infield corners next summer?

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

no? you don't give up your two best prospect for no-names. Even if you don't think they're all that good, generally the guys on the top of your prospect list should only be dealt for bigger deals. Maybe for Morrison, but hell no for Stewart. I like Morrison, but they haven't shown a huge push to want to trade him. I don't get why anyone would want to give up anything worthwhile for Ian Stewart. anyway, neither Jackson or Szczur are going anywhere...

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Would it be worth trading Bjax and Szczur to have Logan Morrison and Ian Stewart manning the infield corners next summer? ------- Stewart has really struggled. I could see the Cubs doing what AZ Phil has said for next year, running Flaherty and LaMaheui out there in a 3b platoon.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Morrison for Jackson in a fantasy trade? You trade a CF'er for a LF'er, but offensively probably about the same. Morrison is only a year older. Cubs would never do it though. Can't say I would either, but I'd think about it. Stewart isn't worth much imo, not particularly good defensively and never been able to get it together in Colorado, doubtful it would happen in Chicago. He's worth a low risk move maybe as competition for Flaherty or whomever they try for 3b next year.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

You really like comparing today's BA and BP Cubs prospects with what you believe are the club's past past failures in your view. The comment, which AZ PHIL answered in detail when you went on the "Carlos Marmol was signed for too long" mantra (and you always close with a ?, as in, "But, he's still a good pitcher?) was directed at you. Have you ever regularly spent time watchiing any of the Cubs top 15-20 prospects in the lower minors, or talked to scouts who evaluate them? I'd probably be on the side of "correct" if you said no, right? Its great that you want to play arm chair GM. We all do. But some of your shit is just crazy talk. What kind of Dr. are you anyway?

Who's going to close it out? It's not like Wood has been all that sharp this year, either.

15 straight scoreless by the starting staff vs. the 4th worse offense in the league. Q-Ball's magic job saving powers may be back in play...

#Cubs Q says he'll use Marshall, Wood as closer and give Marmol chance to work on his mechanics for a couple days. No set timetable

speaking of Q-Nuts, Sheehan also brings up this point Is Mike Quade this bad? If LoMo was going to be Marmol's last batter, why not just use Marshall? You're punting the platoon advantage 2x?

so if I understand this right from what I heard on XM at lunch... Boras got K-Rod's buyout to go up to $4M with Brewers paying the extra half million. In return, he gives up the vesting option. Boras gets the commission on the buyout (or at least the half million bump) and can get him a new contract this offseason where he gets the commission. If the vesting option kicked in, the commission would go to his old agent. Plus, now the Brewers will be more willing to use him as a closer which would in theory up his value, at least a little.

Dan Bernstein, WSCR, claims #Cubs source tells him Hendry and Q are gone, day after the season ends. cubnut heard it on the radio as someone else noted, then just fire them now and start preparing for next season.

Callis doing a rundown of the top bonus money per round in the top 10 rounds so far, of which much will change. but at this point Zeke DeVoss's $500K is the most of any 3rd rounders signed.

From Baseball America's prospect chat: Nick (Chicago): I saw ryan flaherty recently got promoted. whats your opinion on him Ben Badler: I don't know where he plays, but he has huge power to the middle of the field, he has a good approach and he's a solid hitter. I don't know that his defense is ideal at second or third base so I'm not sure where he ends up playing, but I could see him being an offensive-oriented guy who moves around the field a la Ben Zobrist. I've seen that Tennessee club this year, and why the Cubs brought up D.J. Lemahieu when Flaherty was available was a bit puzzling.

Flaherty hits one out for Iowa, Jackson 2/3 so far with a 2b and a 3b. J. Jackson with 5 shutout innings and Caeser 2/4 on the night for Daytona

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Does keeping Baker speak to the Cubs plan on (not) keeping Ramirez for 2012? Or is this just all talk to try to drive up his price a little bit? I'm on board with a Flaherty / LeMahomilongindingdong platoon for 2012. Thinking project 500 may have a better shot then. Maybe they want half the platoon to have some real big league time in 2012. But I always think we have a better chance to win in the NEXT year. Baker's trade value has to be considerably higher now than during the off season.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Submitted by QuietMan on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 9:18pm. Does keeping Baker speak to the Cubs plan on (not) keeping Ramirez for 2012 ======================================= Q-MAN: Even if they think they don't have a shot to sign Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder, I still can't see the Cubs picking-up Aramis Ramirez's $16M option for 2012. What I think will more-likely happen is that the Cubs will pay A-Ram the $2M buy-out after the season, and then offer him maybe a $10M one-year deal for 2012 IF they can't sign Pujols or Fielder (presuming Ramirez hasn't signed elsewhere by the time the Pujols and Fielder sweepstakes have concluded). But I doubt very much that the Cubs will pay Aramis $16M in 2012, even if it means they end up with a Flaherty/Baker or Flaherty/LeMahieu platoon at 3B in 2012 (while waiting to see if Josh Vitters can develop into a big league third-baseman).

17-year old DSL Cubs #1 RHP Yomar Morel gets nailed with a 50-game PED suspension. In his last outing prior to the suspension (this past Wednesday), Morel threw 4.1 IP of no hit ball with six K. There are currently five DSL Cubs serving PED suspensions (four with a 50-game suspension and one serving a 100-game suspension). All players who are suspended for PED violations are automatically placed on the Restricted List.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Submitted by QuietMan on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 9:27pm. AZ Phil - How is Easterling once he reaches base? I know his first game he had some real problems. Has that continued? Thanks! I'll hang up aand listen for my answer =============================== Q-MAN: Taiwan Easterling runs the bases like he does everything... like a hyper-aggressive gambler, like Devin Hester returning a punt. He likes to take chances on the bases and in the field. He's also a classic first-ball fastball hitter. He may have plate discipline, but I haven't seen it yet. Easterling needs to refine all aspects of his game, but he absolutely has some baseball skills. He seems like a fairly sharp kid, too. From what I have seen of him, he is defintely coachable.

Over the past month, Iowa Cubs RHP Jay Jackson has gone 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP in five GS, throwing at least six innings in each start. 33.1 IP, 37 H, 13 R (13 ER), 10 BB, 25 K, 2 HR While that might not seem like eye-popping numbers, it is very good for the "hitter's league" that is the PCL. In fact a 3.51 ERA extended over a full-season would put him 2nd in ERA among PCL starting pitchers. One of the best-hitting pitchers in minor league baseball, J-Jax is hitting .286 with three doubles, one HR, and five RBI so far in 2011 (career 266/284/456 in 91 PA). J. Jackson is eligible for selection (first time) in the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft, so he will very likely be added to the Cubs 40-man roster by the 11/20 deadline (if not sooner), and if he doesn't rack up too many innings during the regular season, he would be a good candidate to pitch in the AFL post-2011. But if he continues to pitch as he has over the last month, he also could be the Cubs #5 starter by September.

Youngest players on Cubs minor league rosters (not including DSL): IOWA: 1. Nick Struck, RHSP - 21 2. Marwin Gonzalez, IF-OF - 22 3. Alberto Cabrera, RHSP - 22 4. Brett Jackson, CF - 22 5. Jay Jackson, RHSP - 23 TENNESSEE: 1. Jae-Hoon Ha, CF - 20 (was also youngest at Daytona before promotion) 2. Junior Lake, SS - 21 3. Josh Vitters, 3B-1B - 21 4. Trey McNutt, RHSP - 21 5. Ryan Searle, RHSP - 22 DAYTONA: 1. Aaron Kurcz, RHRP - 20 2. Matt Cerda, 3B-2B - 21 3. Jeffry Antigua, LHRP - 21 4. Larry Suarez, RHRP - 21 5. Logan Watkins, SS-2B - 21 PEORIA: 1. Arismendy Alcantara, SS-2B - 19 2. Sergio Burruel, C - 19 3. Robinson Lopez, RHRP - 20 4. Starling Peralta, RHSP - 20 5. Austin Kirk, LHSP - 20 BOISE: 1. Ben Wells, RHSP - 18 2. Wilson Contreras, 3B - 19 3. Jin-Young Kim, RHSP - 19 4. Kyung-Min Na, OF - 19 5. Austin Reed, RHSP - 19 AZL CUBS (MESA): 1. Gioskar Amaya, 2B-3B - 18 2. Brian Smith, LHSP - 18 3. Oliver Zapata, OF - 18 4. Marco Hernandez, SS - 18 5. James Pugliese, RHSP - 18

Is Hendry actively involved with on-going negotiations with the remaining unsigned top 15 draft selections? If so, I would be surprised if he's relieved of his duties prior to the Aug 15th signing deadline.

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

Unless it involves a major league deal, I don't think hendry has a whole lot to do with signing draft picks. I recall when ninja was signed him mentioning that other than that deal he doesn't have much to do with the draft.

AZ Phil, which Cubs minor leaguers do you think are most likely to get a September call-up? And are there any others who need to be added to the 40 man roster before November but likely won't get called up this year? I am eager to see Flaherty and Marquez Smith, and hopefully a few pitchers. Is Blake Parker still considered a prospect? I'll hang up and listen to your answer. :)

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

Submitted by Paul Noce on Sat, 07/16/2011 - 1:25pm. AZ Phil, which Cubs minor leaguers do you think are most likely to get a September call-up? And are there any others who need to be added to the 40 man roster before November but likely won't get called up this year? I am eager to see Flaherty and Marquez Smith, and hopefully a few pitchers. Is Blake Parker still considered a prospect? I'll hang up and listen to your answer. :) ============================================= PAUL N: A lot depends on who gets traded during July and August, because a trade could mean an earlier call-up for some of these guys, but I think Welington Castillo, D. J. LeMahieu, Chris Carpenter, Casey Coleman, John Gaub, Scott Maine, Tyler Colvin, Ryan Flaherty, and Jay Jackson are likely to get a call-up to Chicago in September (Flaherty and J. Jackson will be eligible for the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft, and so even though they don't need to be added to the 40 until 11/20, both could get a look in September), and Bryan LaHair, Dave Bush, and Angel Guzman will probably get added to the 40-man roster and brought up to Chicago in September for a look. (Bush could be brought up even sooner, as would LaHair if Pena gets traded). So that's probably five additions to the 40-man roster in September (Flaherty, J. Jackson, LaHair, Bush, and A. Guzman). Also, Marcos Mateo and Andrew Cashner will probably be reactivated on September 1st if they are healthy, so that might mean six slots on the 40 will be needed (because Cashner is on the 60-day DL). Bush is eligible to be an Article XX-B MLB FA post-2011, but LaHair would probably remain on the 40-man roster during the off-season (at least until the Cubs sign or acquire a 1st baseman). Guzman (who will be eligible for salary arbitration if added to the 40-man roster or else he will be a minor league FA if he's not added to the 40) will have to show something in September to remain on the 40-man roster into the off-season. As for where the five or six 40-man roster slots neded in September will come from, Ramon Ortiz will probably be released by September (or even sooner), and it's likely that several players presently on the 25-man roster will be traded over the next few weeks, and that should open up some 40-man roster slots, too. Justin Berg, Esmailin Caridad, Lou Montanez, and Kyle Smit are the most-likely to get outrighted if additional roster slots are needed in September. After the season, Grabow, Johnson, Lopez, Ortiz, Pena, and Wood (if they aren't traded) are eligible to be Article XX-B MLB free-agents, Ramirez will be a FA if the Cubs choose not to exercise the 2012 $16M club option (and instead opt to pay him the $2M buy-out), Dempster could be a free-agent (player option with no buy-out), and Bush would be eligible to be an Article XX-B MLB FA if he is added to the 40-man roster or a Rule 55 Minor League FA if he isn't. Unlike Pena, Wood, Grabow, et al, Kosuke Fukudome is not eligible to be an MLB Article XX-B free-agent after this season, but he does have the right to demand his Outright Release if he has not signed a contract extension by 11/15. And with 4+00 years of MLB Sevice Time accrued by the end of the season, Fukudome would be eligible for Salary Arbitration if he does not demand his release, but if that happens, the Cubs would almost certainly non-tender him on 12/2 rather than go to arbitration where the absolute minimum Fukudome would get in 2012 is $10.8M (that's the max 20% cut from his 2011 $13.5M salary). Besides Flaherty and J. Jackson (who I suspect will be added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster and brought up to Chicago in September), 3B-1B Josh Vitters, OF Matt Szczur, LHRP Jeff Beliveau, IF-OF Marwin Gonzalez, and C-1B Steve Clevenger (probably in that order) are the other Cub minor leaguers eligible for selection in the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft most-likely to get added to the 40-man roster by the 11/20 deadline, as things stand right now. (I didn't put Bush, LaHair, and Guzman in this group because they will be Rule 55 minor league 6YFA if they aren't added to the 40-man roster). I suspect Jeff Beliveau will be assigned to the AFL so the Cubs can a better read on him prior to making their final decision (although he is VERY likely to get added to the 40-man roster post-2011), and Clevenger and Gonzalez will probably play Winter Ball in Latin America and the Cubs will evaluate them further down there, although both (especially Gonzalez) are likely to get added to the 40. Besides Beliveau, I would say some combination of catcher Luis Flores, 1B-OF Matt Spencer, 1B Rebel Ridling, INF D. J. LeMahieu, 3B Marquez Smith, OF Brett Jackson, OF Matt Szczur, RHSP Trey McNutt, RHSP Nick Struck, LHSP Chris Rusin, and RHRP Kevin Rhoderick will be the Cubs prospects assigned to play in the AFL post-2011 (Flaherty played in the AFL last year, Gaub has been there once before, Vitters and Clevenger have played there twice, and J. Jackson would probably only be a possibility for the AFL if he doesn't get called-up to Chicago in September).

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • 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.