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 Sign 17 International Free-Agents

1-18-2017 UPDATE: The Cubs have signed their 22nd and 23rd International Free-Agents since the start of the 2016-17 ISP:
Albert Hinirio
, OF (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - B/R - 6'2 170 - Age 18 
NOTE: Official signing date was 10-23-2016
Carlos Paula, RHP (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - R/R - 6'0 195 - Age 17
NOTE: Official signing date was 10-23-2016

12-20-2016 UPDATE: The Cubs have signed their 21st International Free-Agent since the start of the 2016-17 ISP: 
Elias Herrera, RHP (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - R/R - 6'1 172 - Age 19
NOTE: Official signing date was 10-23-2016

12-2-2016 UPDATE
: The Cubs have signed their 20th International Free-Agent since the start of the 2016-17 ISP:
Francisco Gracia, RHP (MEXICO)  - R/R - 6'0 200 - Age 18 (Cubs have signed five IFA out of Mexico so far in 2016-17 IFA)
NOTE: Official signing date was 10-10-2016

11-14-2016 UPDATE
: The Cubs have signed their 19th International Free-Agent since the start of the 2016-17 ISP:
Mario Meza, RHP (MEXICO) - R/R - 6'3 183 - Age 25 (spent five seasons in Mexican League before signing with Cubs)

11-11-2016 UPDATE: The Cubs have signed their 18th International Free-Agent since the start of the 2016-17 ISP:
Josue Huma, SS (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - B/R - 6'1 175 - Age 16 (the Cubs have signed six IFA out of the Dominican Republic so far in the 2016-17 IFA)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Cubs have signed 17 International Free-Agents (IFA) since the start of the 2016-17 International Signing Period (ISP) on July 2nd.

All 17 were Signed for Future Service (meaning they signed 2017 minor league contracts), so they will not need to be added to a minor league reserve list until 2017 Opening Day.

Six of the players are from Venezuela, five are from the Dominican Republic, three are from Mexico, one is from Colombia, one is from Panama, and one is from Taiwan. 

As far as positions are concerned, eight of the IFA are RHP, three are LHP, three are outfielders, two are shortstops, and one is a third-baseman. The Cubs have not signed any IFA catchers in the 2016-17 ISP so far. 

One of the players spent three professional seasons in the Mexican League before signing with the Cubs.  

Because the Cubs exceeded their 2015-16 International Signing Bonus Pool (ISBP) by more than 15%, they are restricted to signing IFA who are subject to ISBP restrictions to bonuses of $300,000 or less in both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 International Signing Periods.  

Carmelo Alfonzo, OF (VENEZUELA) - L/R - 6'0 177 - Age19 
Keiber Arredondo, RHP (VENEZUELA) - R/R - 6'0 178 - Age 19 
Jeinser Brete, 3B (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - R/R - 6'0 190 - Age 16 
Jonathan Bruzual
, LHP (VENEZUELA) - L/L - 6'1 172 - Age 16 
Kleiber Carreno, RHP (VENEZUELA) - R/R - 6'2 165 -  Age 18 
Danis Correa, RHP (COLOMBIA) -  R/R - 5'11 155 - Age 17 - $225,000 bonus 
Yovanny Cruz, RHP (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - R/R - 6'1 190 - Age 17 
Jose Gomez
, RHP (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - R/R - 6'2 165 - Age 19 
Ferrol Heredia, LHP (MEXICO) - L/L - 5'11 200 - Age 17 - $50,000 bonus
Vicente, King, SS (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - R/R - 5'7 160 - Age 16 
Chi-Feng Lee, RHP (TAIWAN) - R/R - 5'11 155 - Age18 - $30,000 bonus 
Carlos Pacheco, OF (MEXICO) - R/R - 5'11 195 - Age 17 
Oswaldo Pina, SS (VENEZUELA) - R/R - 5'10 170 - Age 18 
Manuel Rodriguez, RHP (MEXICO) - R/R - 5'11 205 - Age 20 - spent three seasons with Yucatan (Mexican League)  - $100K bonus
Denmy Sanchez, RHP (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - R/R - 6'0 190 - Age 18 
Didier Vargas, LHP (PANAMA) - L/L - 6'0 175 - Age 17 
Ricardo Verenzuela, OF (VENEZUELA) - L/R - 6'0 175 - Age 16  

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


INTERNATIONAL SIGNING PERIOD - PLAYER ELIGIBILITY & RESTRICTIONS 

The "
International Signing Period" extends from July 2nd through June 15th of the following year.

Any individual who is age 17 or older, has not previously signed an MLB or minor league contract, resides outside the U. S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and has not been enrolled in a high school or college in the U. S., Canada, or Puerto Rico within the previous year, can be signed during the "International Signing Period." Also, a 16-year old international player can be signed if the individual will turn 17 prior to September 1st or prior to the conclusion of the minor league season (whichever comes first).

An international player can be "Signed for Future Service" (contract is for the following season) if the player signs a contract July 2nd up through the conclusion of the MLB regular season.  

In addition, a 16-year old international player who otherwise would not be eligible to sign can be "Signed for Future Service" (that is, signed for the next season) if the player signs a contract July 2nd through August 31st.

No international player can be signed during the period of time extending from June 16th through July 1st.

INTERNATIONAL SIGNING BONUS POOL (ISBP)

There is a maximum limit on the aggregate amount of money each MLB club can pay as signing bonuses to international first-year players before penalties begin to accrue.

Each MLB club is assigned an International Signing Bonus Pool (ISBP) for each International Signing Period (ISP). A club’s ISBP is based upon the club’s winning percentage from the previous season. (Clubs that finish with lower winning percentages will receive a larger ISBP than clubs with higher winning percentages, with the ISBP increasing inverse to the previous season’s standings). In the case of two clubs finishing with the same winning percentage the previous season, league standings from two seasons back will be used to break the tie. If the clubs are still tied, league standings from three seasons back, four seasons back, etc, will be used to break the tie.

The Cubs ISBP for the 2016-17 ISP is $2,063,100 (it was $3,230,700 in the 2015-16 ISP), and because the Cubs exceeded their 2015-16 ISBP by more than 15%, they will not be allowed to sign any international free-agent subject to ISBP signing bonus limits to a contract with a signing bonus in excess of $300K in both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 ISP.    

A club's ISBP consists of four separate "Signing Bonus Values" (SBV) plus an additional $700,000. Each SBV corresponds to a particular "slot," and each slot is assigned a specific cash value (TBA prior to the start of the ISP).  

A Signing Bonus Value (SBV) can be traded, but with some restrictions:

1. An SBV can only be traded during the International Signing Period (ISP) to which the SBV was assigned (July 2nd through June 15th of the following year);

2. An SBV cannot be sold for cash. However, cash can be exchanged if it is used to offset the salary or salaries of a player or players acquired in return for the SBV;

3. An SBV cannot be substituted for a "Player to Be Named Later" (PTBNL);

4. The entire SBV must be assigned to the other club when it is traded;

5. A club may not acquire an SBV in a trade if the club has already paid signing bonuses equal to or in excess of its ISBP;

6. Once acquired, an SBV can be traded ("flipped") to a third club, as long as the third club has not already paid signing bonuses equal to or in excess of its ISBP;

7. A club's originally assigned ISBP can be increased by a maximum of 50%. If a club acquires an SBV in a trade that causes the club's ISBP to increase to an amount that is more than 50% above the club's originally-assigned ISBP, the portion of the SBV that caused the club's ISBP to increase to an amount that is more than 50% above the club's originally-assigned ISBP is subtracted from the SBV. 

A signing bonus paid to a first-year international player age 23 or older who has spent all or part of at least five seasons playing in an MLB-recognized foreign professional or "major" league does not count against the club’s ISBP. (A signing bonus paid to a first-year Cuban international player age 23 or older who has spent all or part of at least three seasons playing in Serie Nacional does not count against the club’s 2013-14 ISBP, then beginning with the 2014-15 ISP, a signing bonus paid to a first-year Cuban international player age 23 or older who has spent all or part of at least five seasons playing in Serie Nacional does not count against the club’s ISBP).

Also, a club’s six highest signing bonuses of $50,000 or less and ALL signing bonuses of $7,500 or less that are paid to first-year international players do not count against the club’s ISBP. (Beginning in July 2014, only signing bonuses of $10,000 or less that are paid to first-year international players will not count against a club’s ISBP).

The penalty for a club paying signing bonuses in excess of its ISBP is a tax (no draft picks are forfeited) and a restriction on bonuses that can be paid to international players during the next ISP: 

1. A club that pays signing bonuses that exceed its ISBP by 5% or less must pay a 75% tax on the ISBP overage, but there are no restrictions on bonuses in the next ISP.

2. A club that pays signing bonuses that exceed its ISBP by 5-10% must pay a 75% tax on the ISBP overage, and is permitted to sign only one international first-year player to a bonus of $500K or more in the next ISP. 

3. A club that pays signing bonuses that exceed its 2013-14 ISBP by 10-15% must pay a 100% tax on the overage, and is prohibited from paying a bonus in excess of $500K to any international first-year player in the 2014-15 ISP; then beginning with the 2014-15 ISBP, a club that pays signing bonuses that exceed its ISBP by 10-15% must pay a 100% tax on the ISBP overage, and no player may be signed to a bonus of $300K or more in the next ISP. 

4. A club that pays signing bonuses that exceed its 2013-14 ISBP by 15%+ must pay a 100% tax on the overage, and is prohibited from paying a bonus in excess of $250K to any international first-year player in the 2014-15 ISP; then beginning with the 2014-15 ISBP, a club that pays signing bonuses that exceed its ISBP by 15%+ must pay a 100% tax on the ISBP overage, and no player may be signed to a bonus of $300K or more in the next two ISPs. 

Money collected from the tax on clubs that exceed their ISBP will be used to further the development of international baseball.  

A player subject to ISBP restrictions cannot be signed to a Major League contract. 

Comments

Only decision from Maddon that I question in this game is why not have Almora hit for Heyward in the 5th with Baez and Contreras on?

[ ]

In reply to by chitownmvp01

probably should have just pinch hit with Soler there imo,  Kershaw isn't going to IBB to load the bases just to get Hendrick out and even if he does you then use Almora. And if he gets Soler out you put him out there for a few batters until you have to double switch for Hendricks.

only other thing that bugged me was Zobrist swinging at a high and outside fastball after 4 straight bad ones to Rizzo.

Rizzo did seem to be seeing the ball well at least,  hopefully slump is near ending.

in the end, kershaw and Jansen happened.

 

 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

@Rob You would have Almora hit for Heyward and Soler for Hendricks unless Soler actually plays in the OF, which I actually don't oppose down 1. His power bat is good to have in the lineup in 1-0 deficit. I didn't think Kershaw was 100% on his game tonight. He threw more fastballs than usual and didn't have his curveball tonight. He also had some trouble 2nd time through the order. Rizzo (foul but HR distance), Zobrist (fly out to warning track) Russell (fly out to warning track) got hard contact off Kershaw. Baez and Contreas got good contact off him too for singles. That makes 5 straight hitters to get good contact off Kershaw. Baez also came close to a HR in the 7th, unfortunately the wind didn't help tonight. Cubs win this one if wind blows out. For facing Kershaw next time, which would be surprising if it's not game 5 on 3 days rest yet again, use the same approach as used in the 4th and 5th inning of tonight's game. This series feels a lot like the NLDS now. Win the first 2 to avoid potentially falling behind in the series to their ace. Arrieta vs. Rich Hill is a big advantage for us, since Hill hasn't been sharp and has a short leash. Falling behind 2-1 in this series would be jaw dropping. Game 4 is probably Lackey vs. Urias, I would be surprised if they turn to Maeda on 3 days rest. I would also try this lineup vs. Hill: Fowler Rizzo Bryant Baez Zobrist Soler Russell Montero Arrieta

[ ]

In reply to by chitownmvp01

The Cubs offense could pick Hill apart, if they have a good approach. But we have to hope good Arrieta shows up. I think you have to start Soler in LF and Zobrist in RF vs. Hill. Soler's got a 118 wRC+ against lefties this season and has a positive pitch value (according to Fangraphs) against curve balls. Heyward can come in to play defense after Hill exits. Rizzo's the only lefty I'd leave in the lineup (unless they start Montero for Arrieta's comfort) because I think his proximity to the plate might mess Hill up a bit.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Hill was a very promising young pitcher when the Cubs--heeding, I think, the friendly advice of crunch--tried to redesign his delivery so as to keep baserunners under control. That bit of tinkering almost ended Hill's career. I hope the Cubs can finish that job tonight, but I have a wake-me-when-it's-over feeling that this might be Hill's night.

Phil, we have a question from the Twitterati: Arodys Vizcaino - does 2015 count as an option year for him?

[ ]

In reply to by CTSteve

CT STEVE: A minor league option was used in 2015, so Arodys Vizcaino has one minor league option left going into the 2017 season.

Vizcaino was suspended for 80 games by MLB on April 2, 2015 after testing positive for a PED, but the suspension was imposed AFTER he was optioned to AAA Gwinnett (which happened during Spring Training, THREE DAYS prior to the suspension being announced) and before he was placed on the Braves Restricted List on 4/5 (MLB Opening Day 2015).

So Vizcaino did NOT accrue MLB Service Time while serving the suspension, because he was on optional assignment to the minors. (Normally a player on the Restricted List while serving a PED or Domestic Violence suspension does accrue MLB Service Time while suspended, unless the player was optioned to the minors prior to the suspension being imposed).

I would think that there may be a grievance filed by Vizcaino's agent regarding MLB Service Time accrued while he was on the Restricted List in 2015 as Vizcaino approaches free-agency, because while being optioned to the minors THREE DAYS prior to the suspension being imposed did not impact his being eligible for salary arbitration (as a "Super Two") post-2015, not accruing MLB Service Time while on the Restricted List in 2015 as the result of getting optioned to the minors THREE DAYS prior to the suspension being announced will delay free-agency for him by a year (as things stand now, he has accrued 3+168 MLB Service Time and is scheduled to be an MLB Article XX-B free-agent post-2019, instead of post-2018 if he had accrued the extra 82 days lost while on optional assignment during his suspension in 2015).

On Game 2: Here is the deal - we all saw this: Kershaw is a fucking beast. He got us in one game. He will pitch at least 3 times. AGon's HR just made the basket and we kept this game "winible". Somehow, we are going to have to solve Kershaw/Jensen, or get all the other games. Unfortunately, Rizzo's 2-year slash line is: .127 .213 .236 .449. If he was batting 8th or 9th, its one thing. But constantly coming up to bat with RISP is just not getting the job done. What DO YOU DO? For those clamoring for Soler as a PH, last I saw he was batting .220, and strikes out frequently. I think he is still young and teams have found weaknesses in his swing. I agree with Charlie, but I would sub out Almora for Soler. +D, and he can do more with the bat & speed. I expect that will be what Joe does against Hill - and also look for a drop for Russell to 8th or even 9th.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

With Rizzo, I think you let things play out. For such a good hitter, he goes through extreme cold and hot streaks. The day off comes at a good time for him. Hopefully, a hot streak is coming up. With Russell -- I think you keep him in the lineup for his defense, but accept that he is done offensively for 2016. Drop him down and move Baez up. He was great in July/August, but has been lousy in Sept/Oct. Don't know if it's fatigue or just a slump. But, he is trying to pull everything and the Dodgers know it. A few singles to the opposite field would do him a world of good.

Two thoughts on last night's game: 1. Apparently the Baez double play was controversial? That seems quite silly to me. 2. I got annoyed when Smoltz said Contreras wasted his first AB (kept the bat on his shoulder until there was a strike called on him). It seemed to me like Contreras had a very clear plan: I've never faced Kershaw and he's nasty as heck, so I'm going to go up there and track the ball all the way into the glove and get some brain data on him. But I'm seeing that even Fangraphs regulars think Contreras's approach made no sense. I thought it pretty predictable that Contreras would get at least one good swing on him in later in the game.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Had Baez caught it and then dropped it they could have invoked a rule that says just the batter is out. They could have called an infield fly rule immediately but it was too close to a line drive to do that. Because Baez essentially could have caught it but didn't, you can argue the spirit of the rule, but don't think anyone is buying that.

smoltz has his moments but he also went off on sabermetrics on game 1 and then tried to say the league won't find anymore Hendricks types because they're so focused on velocity (reasonable point), but the league needs guys like Hendricks that can eat innings (nope). He seems to derail into some goofy ex-baseball player talking points in the midst of saying something actually interesting at times.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I don't really enjoy Smoltz so far. But if they didn't have Joe Buck announcing with him, I wouldn't care. The point about Hendricks was poorly thought out--there are plenty of Hendricks types in the minors, if by that he means guys who barely touch 90 with their fastball. They just don't make it to the majors because they don't have the command or secondary stuff that Hendricks has. Can't blame the league for that.

Man, the insufferable Joe Buck. He really can't stand the Cubs. His absurdist comment about Rizzo dropping a tough play over the tarp and insinuating that "And could this be another...". What a fucking dick.

MLB Network showed a replay of the baez hop/celebration after hitting that smack that ended short as a popup near the warning track. d.roberts was really creepy, loud, and visually laughing his ass off at baez at the top of the steps. i wonder how much was actual joy and how much roberts was trying to get into baez's head.

PLAYOFF BLUES Also for Russell Martin who has gone 2-24 in the Playoffs. That is downright "Russell" for sure!

Trevor Bauer brings out his Halloween outfit a week or two early. Going as Ny Giants Jean Paul Pierre

The Cubs have signed their 18th International Free-Agent since the start of the 2016-17 International Signing Period:

Josue Huma, SS (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - B/R - 6'1 175 - Age 16

The Cubs have signed their 19th International Free-Agent since the start of the 2016-17 ISP:
Mario Meza, RHRP (MEXICO) - R/R - 6'3 183 - Age 25 (spent five seasons in Mexican League before signing with Cubs)

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

The Cubs have signed their 20th International Free-Agent since the start of the 2016-17 ISP:
Francisco Gracia, RHP (MEXICO) - R/R - 6'0 200 - Age 18

Of the 20 IFA signed by the Cubs so far in the 2016-17 ISP that commenced on July 2nd, six are from the Dominican Republic, five are from Mexico, five are from Venezuela, and one (each) are from Colombia, Panama, and Taiwan.  

The Cubs have signed 14 IFA out of Mexico over the last three ISPs (including the current one), after signing only two players out of Mexico in the previous five ISPs. 

2014-15 ISP:
Jesus Camargo, RHSP
Hector Garcia, RHSP 
Carlos Sepulveda, 2B 

2015-16 ISP: 
Jose Albertos, RHSP 
Javier Assad, RHSP 
Faustino Carrera, LHSP 
Isaac Paredes, INF 
Ruben Reyes, OF
Kevin Zamudio, C-1B-3B 

2016-17 ISP: 
Francisco Gracia, RHP 
Ferrol Heredia, LHP 
Mario Meza, RHRP 
Carlos Pacheco, OF
Manuel Rodriguez, RHRP

The Cubs have signed their 21st International Free-Agent since the start of the 2016-17 ISP:
Elias Herrera, RHP (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) - R/R - 6'1 172 - Age 19

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.