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

Come on Down Soriano, You're the Next Cub to Be Traded

The N.Y. Post is reporting that the Yankees and Cubs are close to deal that will send Alfonso Soriano to the Yankees for a mid-level prospect. The Cubs owe a little over $6M for the rest of 2013 on Soriano's deal and then $18 million next year and the Cubs will pay the bulk of it, and whatever the Yankees are contributing will be for this year as the Yanks are trying to avoid luxury tax hell next season. Soriano still has to approve the deal, but it seems unlikely he'll reject a chance to go to his first organization and play alongside Jeter and Mo' once again...presuming this is all true.

As for the prospect, no one knows yet but here's a top 20 list from the preseason. Manny Banuelos was a 5-star prospect heading into 2012 before Tommy John surgery, so maybe the Cubs can take a shot at the upside there. Dellin Betances was well up there as well before 2012 or maybe the Cubs see something in catcher Austin Romine, who was once a top 100 prospect. More likely, it's someone not on any of this lists with far less upside...we shall wait and see.

Comments

Rob- Are your readying the post headline that you used for Neifi and I believe Kal Daniels departure?

Gordon Wittenmyer‏@GDubCub Talks with Yanks on Sori ongoing. Not imminent but serious. Cubs' willingness to take most of $$ could swing deal for decent prospect.

I just have to say that I am enjoying thee deals these last couple of years. They haven't made out on everyone of them of course, but seems like a lot of the guys they are getting are doing pretty well in the minors (or majors with guys like Rizzo) and that makes me feel more hopeful about this Garza trade and future trades.

From the twitter box: Joel Sherman‏@Joelsherman1 #Cubs scout watched Chase Whitley over weekend, #Yankees deep in yng/inexpensive setup Kelly/Claiborne in MLB Burawa/Betances/Kahnle close

I would think one or more of the Yankees International Signing Pool Values (SBV) will be part of the deal. 

#29: $487,200
#58: $329,000
#87: $222,100
#116: $139,600

The Cubs have been holding off announcing the Eloy Jimenez signing, presumably so that they can acquire additional SBVs in trades that can at least minimize their expected tax-penalty for exceeding their adjusted 2013-14 ISBP.

The Cubs originally-assigned International Signing Bonus Pool (ISBP) was $4,557,200, and they are permitted add up to 50% above their originally-assigned ISBP ($2,278,600) in trades, as long as they haven't exceeded their adjusted ISBP limit at the time of the trade. So far the Cubs have added $963,100 (net) in SBV in trades with Houston and Baltimore (they also traded their 4th SBV slot to the Dodgers in the Carlos Marmol deal), and so they can still add an additional $1,315,500 in SBV before they reach their max ISBP, as long as they don't reach or exceed their adjusted ISBP before they make the trade. Therefore, they could acquire all four of the Yankees SBV without exceeding their maximum-possible ISBP ($6,835,800).

The Yankees have not signed any of the top international free-agents, and a club''s six-highest signings of $50,000 or less are exempt from the International Signing Bonus Pool (ISBP) restrictions. But even if the Yankees were to trade all four of their SBV, they still would retain the $700K in ISBP that all teams get in addition to their four SBVs, so they could still sign a fairly significant IFA for as much as $735K (the $700K base plus a 5% overage) without incurring a penalty that would restrict them in signing players in the 2014-14 Internationalo Signing Period. 

BTW, the Cubs were not able to acquire SBVs from Texas in the Garza deal because the Rangers are big-time players in the international market for under 23-year olds, too, 

@TonyAndracki23 Hoyer on MLB Network Radio said the Alfonso Soriano to #Yankees rumor is getting ahead of itself. Talks are not that advanced yet.

Bryant is headed to Boise, Hoyer says he hopes he can see some time in KC before end of the year

@Jim_Duquette Hoyer felt that maybe towards the end of next year, or into 2015 that they would start to compete more in the division

That should piss off a sufficient amount of the fanbase.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I could see this team wrangling for 2nd place in the division in 2014, if a few things break right. That'd be good enough to get fans back in. It'd certainly get me back on board paying closer attention and maybe even watching some games on MLB.TV or something. I would hope that by 2015 they have a legit shot at winning the division, though. By that point, they might start trading off some long-term assets in order to get some shorter term assets.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

I've been watching a helluva a lot more this year than in recent years. The last years under Hendry were excruciating. I refused to spend any time watching a bunch of journeymen play lousy baseball. Now, there's something to look at. Can Castro get his groove back? Can Rizzo grow as a hitter? What's with this Junior Puig thing? Will Shark shave that awful mullet? There's all these kids, and I'm interested in seeing if they become any good. If they do, that builds even more interest. I actually root for these guys, instead of wanting to throw something at the TV, or throw my iPad across the room. If just a couple of these kids turn into bonafides, we suddenly have a contender if they can cobble together a decent pitching staff. Cubbery dictates that it won't happen, but what if Lake turns into a star, and Rizzo develops into something special next year? Throw an improved Castro into the mix, and you have some interesting stuff going on. I'm not necessarily optimistic that will happen but it's at least something to hope for, as opposed to the Hendry madness at the end where I had to endure journeyman after journeyman traipsing through the roster. I really rather liked Soriano, at least as an on field personality, and he seems like a hard working guy always trying to get better in spite of an insane contract, but I'll be glad to see him go because he represents the biggest Hendry gamble, one that a lot of people didn't really complain a lot about at the time, and as such his exit really, for me, signals the final end of the Hendry regime.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

This team should have most of the resources and personnel to be competitive next year. I expect to see some reasonable free-agent signings in the 1, 2, and maybe 3 year range for positions like RP, 2B, OF, perhaps C or SP. The primary problem is that the Cubs aren't ready to be one of the best teams in baseball yet, and 3 of their division rivals currently hold or are near that mantle. The Reds window may start to close soon, but it will probably still be open next year. The Cardinals are just flat-out loaded and would need a lot to go wrong to be a bad team. The Pirates also look loaded, but figuring out how to either pay for or replace Liriano and Burnett will be their challenge.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Liriano's on a 2-year deal I believe

Pirates seem pretty adept at finding good buy lows (like Burnett, McDonald, Liriano) while waiting for their guys to be ready, don't see why that would be different next offseason. Also, they have plenty of money they have chosen not to spend while rebuilding, not that they'll pour $100M into a pitcher.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Yeah, Liriano has a vesting option that's going to vest probably for $8M unless he gets hurt soon. So they're taken care of there - losing Burnett should be manageable, though that plus Locke's inevitable regression might leave them weakened but still talented. Depends on how Cole steps up I guess.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

it's a vesting option, but also an $8M club option

  • 13:$1M, 14:$8M club option
  • may earn additional $3.75M in 2013
    roster bonuses based on days not spent on disabled list with injury to
    humerus bonus of non-throwing right arm
  • 2014 option may become guaranteed at $5M, $6M or $8M based on days not spent on disabled list in 2013 with the right arm injury
  • if 2014 option vests at $5M or $6M, Liriano may earn performance bonuses up to $8M based on games started

Pedroia 7/100M extension...what will Cano get?

Utley a free agent too, doubtful Cubs enterain either idea.

Ellsbury will be available, but I'm sure Cubs aren't going over 5 years on any deal to anyone and would prefer less in most cases.

Granderson, Beltran, Cruz, Pence are the other big names that I don't see the Cubs getting involved with, although Beltran on a 1 or 2 year deal might make some sense depending on whom is leftover after the purge.

FA pitchers

Baker, Feldman again as well as Arroyo, Colon, Burnett, Garza, Hudson, Lincecum, Maholm, Josh Johnson, E. Santana...someone out of that might be a good buy low option. A few other dudes if their options aren't exercised including Halladay.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/league-info/potenti…

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I'd think Beltran and Choo are probably likely targets given their skillsets and the team's needs, depending on what those guys end up costing. Choo is more likely to want something longer than 3 years, while Beltran might be more inclined for a shorter deal with a team he sees as a contender.

Ryan Braun – another player voted MVP by the same baseball writers who will gloriously trash him when it comes time for a HOF vote. By my count, that now makes 17 MVP trophies awarded to PED players – Bonds 7, ARod 3, Braun, Sosa, Caminiti, Tejeda, Giambi, Juan Gonzalez 2. Throw in Clemens Cy Young awards and that’s 20+ prestige trophies with PED names on them. Neat.

Jason Parks and Jeff Sullivan have both stated today that the Cubs might now be the #2 farm system in baseball. Still not enough arms for my taste, especially at the higher levels. But it's hard to make a case that any team in baseball has a better or deeper stable of hitting prospects.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

As I am getting older fast it seems, I sure as hell hope that TheoJed have put some very good people in coaching capacities at the levels our "studs" are passing through. Since the money thing can be equalized to a degree in the MLB with all of the "small market bullshit" (Cardinals get another draft pick...), the teams that can muster the most talented scouting, and then back that up with excellent coaching, are gonna be perennial contenders. From what I have read the last couple years, AZ PHIL is not impressed...But, at least they moved Junior out of the infield. Right PHIL?

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

I was wondering how far they would climb. Added Bryant, Olt, Edwards, international signees, and Alcantara at least raised his stock dramatically. On the other hand, Paniagua and Vizcaino haven't pitched at all. I keep wondering if/when the Cubs might swap out some young bats for some young arms, but I'm guessing that won't happen until these players progress enough for the Cubs to have a logjam at the MLB or at least AAA level.

[ ]

In reply to by Newport

the article is a bit, but it related to 2014 and the issues still remain. Their (lack of) moves over the last offseason back it up.

Grilli to the DL. Who is a prospect match for Gregg if he gets to wear an eyepatch over his goggles?

Nick Delmonico to Brewers for K-rod.

decent haul for Brewers, Sickels had him at #4 on his preseason Top 20 Orioles list.

Cubs will get a little less for Gregg most likely.

"@ChrisCotillo Name to watch in #Yankees-#Cubs deal is Joel De La Cruz. I'm told he is possibly involved if a Soriano deal happens" ...oh boy...a 24 year old repeating high A ball. the rumored return value in this trade is dropping by the hour.

heh...Theo seems less than thrilled with Yankees leaks

@CarrieMuskat  Theo says Yankees aren't 1st team to call re: Soriano. "They're the first team to show up in the paper in their home city right away."

Dodgers fix of C. Marmol

enters in 5th with one out

1b to Encarnacion, Lind foul out, BB DeRosa, GO R. Davis

comes back for the 6th

2B Arencibia, WP, RBI 1B Lawrie, 2-run HR Reyes, GO Cabrera , Foul Out Bautista, GO Encarnacion

you're going to have to be more specific... "Donovan Hand left Tuesday's start against the Padres after four innings with a right hand contusion."

k.bryant in the lineup tonight for Boise (@Eugene, OR) dylan "ball 4" maples pitching.

Adam Eaton used to be on my list of players I would have liked to get from the D-backs in a trade. But with that 70's stash he's now dead to me.

h.rondon keeps up his pace and finally moves his ERA for the month over 5.00...his lowest ERA in any month is 5.19 and he's currently sporting a 6.68 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP. that's rather impressive for a reliever...and by impressive, i mean, why he still with this club? 6 out of his last 10 he's given up runs...3 of them, multiple runs.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Bring him up! He can have Rizzo, he of watching the batting practice pitch come down the middle of the plate on a 3-0 count with men on, mentor him. What's with the Cubs coaching staff? You have an umpire with an unruly strike zone, you tell them to go ahead and swing the f'ing bat.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

Watching the Cubs is admittedly much less frustrating than a couple years ago now, but one of the most frustrating things is in fact watching Anthony Rizzo take a called third strike on a pitch in the zone or just off the plate.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Baez is batting .203 with a .242 OBP through 62 PAs in AA, but he's still managing to display a wRC+ of 109 thanks to that great power. BABIP is pretty low too, but hopefully it starts to sink in that his power will only partially compensate for his poor plate discipline. I agree with the promotion to AA, but hopefully they keep him parked there long enough to really try to figure out that part of his game.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

Javy Baez is the last Wilken 1st round choice, right? It would appear he would not fit the TheoJed mold. Its going to be interesting to see if this guy will develop into a nice player with any plate discipline, and, would he be used as trade bait over the winter due to current shortcomings.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Forget starting the year at AA - how about spending possibly all of 2014 at AA. At his age and given the gaps in his game, I don't mind seeing his development slowed a touch. If he wants to go to Iowa next year, I would make him earn a graduation based upon BB% as well as defensive metrics or skills discussed between him and the organization.

[ ]

In reply to by Newport

They should have brought him up to start the year off. Can't have had a much worse first half than Castro. But, more seriously, in response to an earlier remark, I think Theo is bright enough not to care if it's a Wilken pick. If he plays well, he'll get a shot. Still sounds pretty raw, even for me.

I just picked up Junior Lake for my fantasy team.

Sorry everybody...hope you enjoyed the ride.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

FWIW sometimes it doesn't show up for me in Firefox and I just refresh the page and it comes back. It just seems like there is a lot to load and sometimes it stalls and doesn't grab it all. Also, on a related note, starting a couple of months ago the site takes forever (like 3 minutes-ish) to load on the browser on my Kindle Fire. Not a huge deal, and works fine on my other devices.

Drew Davison‏@drewdavison Double A Frisco right-hander Neil Ramirez has been placed on the disabled list with a biceps injury. #Rangers

Soriano not in lineup tonight...Sveum/Cubs say it was a scheduled off day

Soriano is 6/13 against Kennedy in his career though with 3 HR, 7 RBI and 3 BB.

Twitter rumors says Cubs/Yanks haggling over money at this point.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

Totally agree. I believe Soriano is EXTREMELY touchy about this and is no guarantee to leave. Obviously based on last year not going to SF and just his answers are always family first etc. I believe the deal was ready when NY press leaked it and Theo had to quash it to avoid another Dempster style backlash while Soriano goes through his decision process at whatever pace he needs.

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

Back in college, I ended up breaking a guy's tibia in a soccer game accident -- went all Joe Theismann-like. We were both going for the ball and I got to it first while he swung at it and his leg hit my shin instead. It was pretty horrific and I never had the stomach for playing soccer again.

Wayne Randazzo‏@WayneRandazzo Baker at 33 pitches through 2 innings. Sitting around 85. Topped out at 89. #Cubs Wayne Randazzo‏@WayneRandazzo Final line for Scott Baker: 3+ IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR. 63 pitches, 39 strikes in third rehab start for @KCCougars #Cubs

dejesus with a double off the top of the CF 407 wall (with the actual HR line up insanely higher). hitting a HR to CF in that park is "bombs or nothing." it would have been a HR in many parks.

not watching, did Svuem really have Lake lay down a sac bunt in the 4th or was he going for the hit?

Just when I start to think Soriano is a player . . . I am reminded his resurgence has been on a cushy team with no pressure, he passed up a chance to play for the eventual world champions last year to protect his knees or something, he still enjoys watching his home runs a bit too much, and apparently he and Dempster drink the same kook aid. Yes he has every right to 'take a few days' apparently (tho I would say his real rights are to be ready and say yes or veto) but he to me is much more interested in country club baseball and padding his stats then winning. And THAT is a problem that it will be fun to see eradicated whenever his lazy ass leaves this town. Again I repeat... Do these morons have agents who can counsel them to be ready in obvious trade situations to say yes or veto?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I'm guessing not. I know San Francisco is cold, but I think I do remember him not being into LA too. But obviously the Dodgers don't need and OF, Angels? Oakland? I just find it frustrating. I know it's living in the past to think of these guys as relentless competitors (like when I was growing up in the 60's and 70's) but I mean the guy HAS to know he's not part of the plan and that being in a pennant race is fun. Right? Maybe not . . .

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

I do agree that it's silly that's he's only now considering it, unless he he wants to decide which teams could provide him a championship (not the other way around, of course). From what I hear though, he's one of the hardest workers in baseball and far from lazy. Some people just have different priorities. Some are willing to win at any cost...cheating or going to another team. Others have a stronger sense of team and loyalty and may not want to win a championship as a mercenary. I absolutely agree though, he should have been ready. BUT, Theo could also have scheduled this meeting earlier so that the decision was already made.

[ ]

In reply to by The Joe

No doubt. But I'm going to put it in the Cubby Occurance column that we have back to back years with a player who is so screwed up they can't handle an obvious part of the job. Yes you make $300 bazillion dollars so one little annoyance is that you may have to say yes or no kinda fast on trades. Dempster never vetoed Atlanta last year. It was hilarious, they just eventually took the offer off the table. I've never seen anything like it. Now last year we could have dealt Soriano but he rejects it. Fine. Now this year he talked several times in the press in recent months about playing for a contender and now it's time and he asks for a few days. The article I post twice above originally ended with him saying he would not say no to the Yankees. And then was extended to kind of say he might as Theo says a complete veto is a possibility. It's true cubby cancer growing wild. Can't wait until the last country clubber is gone. BTW joe I am not really arguing with you at all, just venting about something that pisses me off.

darwin macias with his 3rd error on the season. cubs still lead 6-2 after 5...but ninja is most likely done thanks to pitches thrown and the pen gets 4 innings.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

and it's gregg going for 2 innings... bases loaded, 2 outs...because drama and why not...and he coaxes a groundout. phew. 2ip 3h 3bb 0k (he hasn't had a K in 4 games now) i think his trade value is reaching infield rake status at this point. ...wonder who's next to pitch...gregg's gotta be done. 40 pitches.

lulz...tim naehring (ex-BOS player turned high profile yanks scout) is at the game tonight looking bored as hell. wonder if he's scouting anyone other than soriano.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.