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

Cubs Thank Kane County for the Memories by a Score of 5-2

Ryan McNeil threw three innings of shutout ball with four strikeouts, Charcer Burks delivered a double and an RBI triple and scored a run, and Frandy de la Rosa reached base four times (RBI double, two singles, and an HBP), drove-in a run, and scored another, leading the South Bend Cubs (Lo-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) to a 5-2 victory over the Kane County Cougars (Arizona Diamondbacks Lo-A affiliate) on Field #5, and Jake Stinnett threw five innings of two-run ball, Yasiel Balaguert drilled three hits (RBI double and two singles), and Trey Martin slugged a solo HR, singled and scored, drove-in a run with a sacrifice fly, and pulled back what would have certainly been a home run with a leaping catch over the left-centerfield fence, helping the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs Hi-A affiliate) to a 5-2 victory over the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks Hi-A affiliate), in Cactus League minor league game action this afternoon at Mesa CubTown at Riverview Park. 

The game on Field #6 was pre-planned as a ten-inning affair so that all of the pitchers scheduled to throw today could get their work.       

A number of pitchers and position players from the Cubs Eugene/Mesa (Extended Spring Training) squad saw action in the games.  

Here are the abridged box scores from the two games (Cubs players only):

FIELD #5

SOUTH BEND LINEUP
1. Rashad Crawford, CF: 2-5 (K, K, 1B, 1B, P-6, R, 2 SB) 
2. Jesse Hodges, 3B: 1-3 (K, BB, HBP, 1B, P-3, R, RBI)
3. Charcer Burks, LF: 2-4 (2B, 3B, F-8, 6-4-3 DP, R, RBI)
4. Kevonte Mitchell, DH #1: 1-4 (6-3, 2B, 6-3, 6-3, R, RBI, SB)
5. Frandy de la Rosa, 2B: 3-3 (1B, 1B, HBP, 2B,  R, RBI) 
6. Alberto Mineo, 1B: 1-4 (2B, K, K, F-7)
7a. Erick Castillo, C: 0-2 (K, F-7, BB) 
7b. Tyler Alamo, C: 0-1 (K) 
8. Carlos Jimenez, SS: 0-3 (F-8, BB, P-4, E-8) 
9. Kevin Brown, RF: 0-4 (6-3, P-6, K, 4-3) 
10a. Roberto Vahlis, DH #2: 0-2 (K, 5-3) 
10b. Ho-Young Son, PH: 0-1 (K) 
10c. Carlos Sepulveda, PH: 0-1 (K) 

SOUTH BEND PITCHERS
1. Ryan McNeil: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 1/4 GO/FO, 49 pitches (29 strikes)  
2. Dillon Maples: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 2/2 GO/FO, 31 pitches (15 strikes)
3. Carson Sands: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 1/1 GO/FO, 22 pitches (13 strikes) 
4. Oscar de la Cruz: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 25 pitches (18 strikes) 
5. Luis Hernandez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 3 K, 2 WP, 30 pitches (15 strikes) 
6. John Michael Knighton: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 6 pitches (4 strikes) 

SOUTH BEND ERRORS: 1 
P Ryan McNeil - E-1 (errant throw on pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 2nd) 

SOUTH BEND CATCHERS DEFENSE
Erick Castillo: 1-3 CS 

FIELD #6 

MYRTLE BEACH LINEUP
1. Jeffey Baez, RF: 1-5 (2B, K, F-9, L-6, K, R) 
2a. Miguel Rico, DH #1: 1-3 (K, 4-3, 1B) 
2b. Varonex Cuevas, 2B: 0-2 (4-3, K) 
3. Gleyber Torres, SS: 0-3 (BB, F-8, 4-3, 5-3) 
4. Mark Zagunis, LF: 2-4 (1B, F-9, 1B, F-8, R, RBI, CS)
5a. Jacob Rogers, 1B-DH: 1-3 (L-5, F-8, 2B) 
5b. SLOT WAS SKIPPED 4th TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
6. Trey Martin, CF: 2-3 (HR, 2-U, F-8 SF, 1B, 2 R, 2 RBI)
7a. Justin Marra, C: 1-2 (F-8, 2B) 
7b. Jordan Hankins, C: 1-2 (K, 3B, RBI)
8. David Bote, 2B-1B: 1-4 (1B, 6-3, K, 5-3, R)
9. Yasiel Balaguert, DH #2: 3-4 (2B, F-8, 1B, 1B, RBI)
10. Tanner Witt, 3B: 0-3 (BB, K, F-9, K) 

MYRTLE BEACH PITCHERS
1. Jake Stinnett: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 3/6 GO/FO, 61 pitches (36 strikes) 
2. Ben Wells: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/4 GO/FO  22 pitches (15 strikes) 
3. Sam Wilson: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0/3 GO/FO, 18 pitches (13 strikes) 
4. Justin Steele: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 1/0 GO/FO, 13 pitches (8 strikes) 
5. Corbin Hoffner: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 13 pitches (9 strikes) 

MYRTLE BEACH ERRORS
: 1 
C Jordan Hankins - E-2 (dropped pop fly in foul territory) 

MYRTLE BEACH CATCHERS DEFENSE

1. Justin Marra: 0-1 CS 
2. Jordan Hankins: 1 PB, 1 E (see above) 

ATTENDANCE
: 68 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's 

 




 


Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

it was more his "will he play football or go to baseball" thing. not a top prospect at the time, but well above average (top-3 round pick material who slipped thanks to $$ demands and the thought he was leaning toward college ball). fastball, curve, change... his control issues is killing his game, though...and injury.

With Olt showing signs of emerging (I'm very happy with an OBP of .400, spring or no) I obviously need to do a 180 on the Bryant thing. I don't want Bryant learning against that brick wall. Hopefully his aptitude is good so he can get up to the big club asap, but if we have a solid Olt to add to the lineup, and defense, that's pretty huge. Even Theo seems excited about him, now (no link to his quote, sorry). Tiniest of sample size, but Bryant did show some good instincts out there. Could be that he's just a damn good baseball player all the way around.

Anybody else get a good first impression of Rubi Silva this weekend? And Bruno, of course. UVA!

Baez, Bryant and Russell sent down...

No way they could justify to a grievance board sending Bryant down and keeping Baez up.

At least that's over. Anyone see Theo's quote the other day?...something along the lines of, wouldn't it be great to let Olt play for 2 weeks and see if it's for real and have him and Bryant in lineup.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

how great it would be to see k.bryant starting @3rd or in LF after coming up last September to get his feet wet. this service time thing is such a necessary evil in an era where top performers can command 20-30+million...but it creates such a thick layer of bullshit from all corners trying to dance around real issues. it's the right move for the organization, but it's not ideal at all for anyone involved.

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

By writing, "If Theo said that", it does in fact imply doubt.. :)

And no,  I don't really care...I was just messing.

And yes, I was surprised as hell that he said it. Hope it wasn't one of his famous, this is "off the record" statements that someone wasn't suppose to pick up. Feel worse for Olt, don't you dare slump for the first 2 weeks if you want a job.

 

just need to sort out that 3rd catcher thing, no one seems to be biting on Beefy and I don't think they want to give him away.

With Denorfia out though, extra RH bat not terrible

These 10 seem like locks:

C: Montero, Ross

INF: Rizzo, LaStella, Alcantara, Castro, Olt

OF: Fowler, Coghlan, Soler

3 spots open for Sweeney, Szczur, Beefy, Herrera and Lake. I'd guess Sweeney, Beefy and Herrera. Alcantara can be Coghlan's short side platoon-mate until Denorfia is back. Certainly would prefer Szczur over Sweeney, but with options and contracts, we'll see if that happens.

 

FWIW, Chris Coghlan was strictly an infielder (2B-3B) throughout his minor league career prior to arriving in MLB in 2009 and being moved to LF and winning the N. L. Rookie of the Year Award, and in his subsequent minor league seasons 2011-14 he played all three OF positions plus some 1B, too, so if Mike Olt is the third-baseman and if Kris Bryant comes up and plays LF every day, Coghlan could be an offense-first multi-positional guy (every position but SS-C-P) and #1 LH PH, with Chris Denorfia the 4th OF and #1 RH PH. 

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

to sort-of-quote Maddon, he likes guys that can catch the ball. Coghlan has two uses to this team...making sure Bryant is a Cub in 2021, getting on-base vs. righties. If this was a notion they were entertaining, he'd have played some infield this spring.*

(*which I admittedly may have possibly missed because I don't pay a ton of attention to spring training)

Imagine Coghlan will take on the role Sweeney was suppose to play once Bryant arrives.

speaking of, post-Bryant call-up roster?

C: Montero, Ross

INF: Rizzo, LaStella, Alcantara, Castro, Olt

OF: Soler, Fowler, Bryant, Coghlan, Denorfia

with a spot open for Herrera or Beefy

fun with ideal lineups:

vs RHP: Fowler, Castro, Rizzo, Soler, Bryant, Montero, Olt, P, LaStella or Alcantara?

*tight pants

** swap Castro/Rizzo/Soler/Bryant any way you wish to be honest, I prefer as max out as much L/R/L/R as you can get to mess with bullpens, but ultimately it means little

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

a) it don't matter much unless it's a complete drag...we'll call that drag Neifi for future purposes

b) I expect(probably foolishly) Castro to hit like last year, if not better and a .340 OBP is more than adequate there

c) if they go with Rizzo, Soler or Coghlan or someone with a much better OBP, that's all pretty cool too.

obviously if Cubs are getting a .325 OBP from Castro, they should adjust.  But I'm guessing Rizzo, Soler, Bryant, Castro are going to bat somewhere between #2 and #5, how that shakes out isn't going to make a huge difference unless someone is really boom or bust and if someone is, I imaigne Maddon will adjust accordingly. As long as Olt or Montero aren't hitting up there, I doubt I'll feign much anger over it, even if I occasionally comment on it. Alcantara or LaStella could work up there too if they're north of .340. I could also see Castro batting 6th or 7th if the BABIP gods are unkind to him this year thus dragging his OBP down.

I prefer a nice L/R/L/R balance, I prefer the best hitters to get the most at-bats. I prefer if a player's only real skill is OBP (let's call that player Fowler), that he get on-base in front of those whose skillset is to get hits of the multiple base variety. I prefer to clump all the good hitters together and rather waste an inning on bad hitters then worry about protection or getting someone going. I understand it don't matter much over the course of a season, but everyone wants to talk about it on a blog or twitter because it's an easy thing to dissect, so I occasionally engage. I understand that Dusty Baker was a terrible manager and batting Neifi 2nd was another example of that, not that Dusty Baker was a terrible manager just for batting Neifi 2nd. So let it go.."stuck in the mid-2000's" crunch.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

i am not a fan of the pitcher hitting 8th...especially considering these "optimized lineups" treat players like they all have the same talent and are taking batting practice rather than playing the game. the idea that the person hitting behind you isn't going to effect how you're pitched when you're a cruddy hitter (the pitcher) ignores part of the game (and i am not talking about "protection" like people like to talk about it for the 4/5 slots). BUT...if you are going to move your pitcher to 8th it also makes sense to move your traditional 3+4 hitters up to the 2+3 slots. recreating the lineup for extra leadoff men (amongst other situations) shouldn't leave you with 3 leadoff-type hitters (1 being sketchy) until you get to the reliable bats. also, can you bring something without insulting someone or belittling their view without reason? no, i'm not "stuck in the mid-2000s" because i've not adopted something you're blindly accepting (see how that works...and how that's bullshit?). someone not agreeing with you doesn't mean they wake up every morning chewing tobacco praying to a poster of cal ripken sr while checking harold reynold's twitter feed. yeah, there's a thought behind this...and reasoning. hell, my ideal lineup has rizzo batting 2nd, but nevermind that because i'm stuck in the past because i don't like the pitcher batting 8th while keeping the rest of the traditional lineup intact. c'mon...get real. should it even be pointed out that one of the most famous of these lineup construction theories says to bat your 5th best player 3rd?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I'm not sure I'd call Castro unreliable in the above scenario or a lead-off type hitter. The LaRussa theory for batting a pitcher 8th, was to bat Pujols 3rd so that he'd get an AB in the first inning and then be the cleanup hitter, the next 3-4 times around. Which is fine...or not. Their offenses certainly didn't suffer from it. I don't put a ton of stock into the lineup simulators, only because the pitcher is still going to only bat 2-3 times a game before pinch-hitting and double switches. I'm with Maddon though that it's perfectly fine if you have a non-zero hitting pitcher there. And yeah, whomever bats 7th won't see anything to hit most times. Which is fine, I think Olt or Montero are perfect there. They seem patient enough and won't chase. Lineup turnover is a plus even if some rallies get killed along the way. Some new rallies will get started on the B-side of it that wouldn't before.

it's just you that I insult...you're welcome to not visit here.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

how about attaching your insults to something other than a cheap shot of total dismissal because "well, he's just an ancient dinosaur who thinks we have to be stuck in the past angrily shaking our fists at anything new."? it's just not like that at all. it's ideas about baseball, not wars about religion...or is it?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

...BUT...if you are going to move your pitcher to 8th it also makes sense to move your traditional 3+4 hitters up to the 2+3 slots. recreating the lineup for extra leadoff men (amongst other situations) shouldn't leave you with 3 leadoff-type hitters (1 being sketchy) until you get to the reliable bats. The "lineup haggling" statistically over 162 games, does not make more than a couple games difference - possibly less, why there is so much angst about it from you is perplexing. I understand the "pitcher batting 8th" scenario, and IF it can be proven that said lineup resulted in the above-mentioned wins, and causes the Cubs to get into the Playoffs, then Maddon will be called a "genius". IIRC, haven't you been the one for 10 years that has adamantly stated that a Manager has no bearing on game outcomes, anyway? Or, perhaps I am mistaken?

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

"The "lineup haggling" statistically over 162 games, does not make more than a couple games difference - possibly less, why there is so much angst about it from you is perplexing." it's around a single game...or 5+ runs depending on what you read. ...and there's not angst...but there are people angsty about me mentioning it...well, person, not people. "haven't you been the one for 10 years that has adamantly stated that a Manager has no bearing on game outcomes" i've stated more than a few times that this whole "pitcher batting 8th" thing is statistically insignificant as it stands. the whole thing is an argument pretending nameless slot hitters are an aggregate that are uneffected by shifting position...which should and does raise a few flags for some people. also, a manager has a bearing on the game, but his main job is being a role-making baby sitter and that will rarely not be a top priority for any organization...that's the take-home from that bygone era of TCR. joe maddon isn't making a bazillion dollars a year because he wants to bat the pitcher 8th or turn in 150 different lineup cards a year.

MLBPA puffs it's chest...

@MLB_PLAYERS Today is a bad day for baseball. We all know that if @KrisBryant_23 were a combination of the greatest Players to play our great game, and perhaps he will be before it's all said and done, the @Cubs still would have made the decision they made today. This decision, and other similar decisions made by clubs will be addressed in litigation, bargaining or both. (End) 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

"MLB is not the MLB without the best players," Boras said in a text message to The Associated Press. "Kris excelled at every level and earned the right of entry. The CBA is at the apogee of wrongs incentivizing clubs to create a product less than best. Bryant's situation is the badge for change to the CBA player service structure.''

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Well if they want to change the rules and make E-Jax's contract non-guaranteed maybe the Cubs will reconsider. Maybe MLB would also have its best players if clubs weren't handcuffed with guaranteed contracts and could freely cut deadweight such as E-Jax. Come on Boras, get behind that.

btw, is there anyone who would care if they changed it to make it more player friendly? They'll obviously both use it as leverage, but I don't get the sense that owners are really gonna dig in on something that effects 1-2 players at most every year.

wow...rays sent b.gomes down. that one's a shocker. he's old, so who cares about his service time...but he was pretty much their star reliever this spring (after a decent partial season last year).

k.hendricks gives up his first HR and 1st run of the spring in his 13th inning of work. really awesome career so far for a low(ish) velocity righty starter in this era. ...and he gives up his 1st walk of the spring, too. i think he needs more time in AAA to work on his outfield D control and fly ball tendencies. ...and he's out of the game after giving up 2 more runs, leaving men on 2nd/3rd with 1 out. let's make that AA to be safe.

MIA puts andrew mckirahan (rule 5) on waivers...he could become a cub again, but that might be wishful thinking.

in things that were obvious once he showed up with a left arm and not a stub

Cubs pick up Phil Coke's contract.

guess they'll try and sneak Britton through waivers.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Shhhhhhhhh! I guess we won't be able to sneak him thru now. Thanks Rob. Thanks for nothing. With regard to Coke I think they also want some guys who've been thru pennant races. I live in Detroit area and saw a little too much of him in recent years. Detroit's bullpen wasn't exactly its strength.

guessing this will be the 12 that come up from camp unless there's some DL roster shenanigans to get a extra guy for a few weeks or until they need a 5th starter.

Arrieta, Lester, Hendricks, Hammel, Wood

Jackson, Coke, Ramirez, Strop, Grimm, Motte, Rondon

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.