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

2017 Cubs Minor League Camp is Underway

Cubs Minor League Camp officially opened today, with pitchers & catchers reporting and some position players also present. 

Among the notes from today's workout:

* OF Zach Davis (Cubs 2016 32nd round pick - Texas Tech) is now switch-hitting (he was formerly a RH-hitter only). Davis has plus-speed but a weak bat, so trying switch-hitting probably makes sense.  

* OF Eddy Julio Martinez (October 2015 IFA - $3M signing bonus) felt discomfort in his right elbow while playing catch and was shut-down as a precaution.

* The Cubs have signed 28-year old 6'4 225 free-agent RHP Zach Rafferty (Anna Maria College). Rafferty last pitched in 2012 for Worcester (Can-Am league), but he has been getting into pitching shape at High Level Throwing in Lowell, MA (click on his name for recent "live" BP video - command wasn't too sharp, but his fastball sat at 94-95 and topped out at 96).

Minor league players are typically (but not always) initially assigned to Spring Training Minor League Camp squads (groups) one or even two levels above where they are projected to be on Opening Day, and then most players are either moved down to a lower level or released as players are sent down to Minor League Camp from the big league squad during the course of Spring Training. 

The Eugene/Mesa squad will be formed once Cactus League minor league games start in mid-March, and that squad becomes the EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING group on Opening Day. Meanwhile, at the start of Minor League Camp the South Bend squad will be "heavier" than the other three.

For players who spent the 2016 season in the DSL (especially players who attended AZ Instructs post-2016) and who were invited to Minor League Camp in 2017, some will remain at the Cubs Dominican Academy and not report to Mesa until the very end of Spring Training or the start of Extended Spring Training.

Comments

LHP Jeffry Antigua and RHP Luis Contreras have been released.

Also, LHP Daniel Moskos (signed as minor league FA in December) is not on Cubs Minor League Camp roster, so he may have retired or possibly his contract was voided (TBD).

Same goes for RHP Denmy Sanchez (IFA signed last August). His contract may have been voided, or it could still be pending for some reason (TBD).

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

2-18! sure, he was late on the swing making it end up in LF...but he made the contact. it was nice low line-drive contact (aka, not softly blooping into the OF or spiked into the ground). it was off a lefty, btw. he's still late on a lot of stuff (2 fouls on late swings before the double in this AB), but at least he's having something to show for his play in today's game.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I think being late is probably a natural part of having a completely new swing that isn't automatic so he's probably thinking about his mechanics still causing that delay. The trick is when he makes contact are they harder hit balls and more line drives and I guess that will just take some time to see. God knows he has the will to succeed anyway considering he spent the entire off season in the batting cages working on it. I don't think there's a single person I'm rooting for more this year.

it's good to see schwarb bouncing around on the bases between pitches. he's playing like he's never had a knee injury. he doesn't seem to fear re-injury (a mental leap that takes a while for more than a few players returning from injury). he seems even more confident than the post-season. good stuff.

In Florida with my son for college spring break, so went to a spring training game between the Astros & Red Sox -- Junior Lake starting in RF for BoSox. First time up, 2-2 count -- curveball in the dirt as Junior swings from his heels so hard his helmet comes a little loose. Strike 3. He still looks toolsy, though.

Minor League Camp rosters have been updated as three more arrive from Dominican Academy.

First full squad work-out today (Monday).

Four pitchers throw "live" BP:
Trey Hedges (Iowa)
Jake Stinnett (Tennessee)
Adbert Alzolay (Myrtle Beach)
Manny Rondon (South Bend)

It is noteworthy that all four pitchers threw two "innings" in their first "live" BP session, meaning they are being prmed as starting pitchers for "full season" affiliates. 

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

CRUNCH: Zach Hedges is assigned to the Iowa squad right now but he will almost certainly be moved down to the Tennessee squad once the Cubs start sending pitchers down to Minor League Camp from Sloan Park. Hedges was actually moved to the bullpen at Minor League Camp last year for the reason mentioned by Tim, but then out of necessity he was moved back to the starting rotation at Myrtle Beach, and he excelled as a SP in 2016. So Hedges will very likely be in the starting rotation at AA Tennessee to begin the 2017 season, but his eventual role will probably be in the pen. (He looks a bit like Brian Schlitter, BTW).

[ ]

In reply to by tim815

I don't think I'd say Markey was so dominant as a starter at AA to where he merits a spot in the AAA rotation. Almost as many walks as strike outs last year, 4.81 FIP. Also doesn't really have a starter's build. He's a lot easier to bump to the pen due to a roster crunch than Hedges in my mind. Hedges has the build to be a starter and was just so good at keeping the all on the ground and not walking people last year. I think he did enough that you have to try to keep him in that role for now, even if he has to repeat AA until a rotation spot opens up in AAA.

heads up for t-mobile users...hail corporate. April 4th, T-Mobile is giving every customer a free season-long subscription to MLB.TV Premium—a $112.99 value—PLUS MLB.com At Bat Premium--$19.99 value! Download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app to redeem. https://www.t-mobile.com/mlb

Confirmed OF (ex-C) Yohan Matos has been released. Matos was signed ($270K signing bonus) as a 16-year old IFA on the first day of the 2013-14 ISP (same class that produced Gleyber Torres and Eloy Jimenez). He hit 248/339/383 with seven HR, 16 doubles, 48 BB, and 106 K in 115 minor league games (437 PA) 2014-16 (2014 in DSL and 2015-16 in AZL), and he was moved from catcher to outfield in 2016. 

Also, a few tweaks to Minor League Camp rosters today (involving only pitchers) after yesterday's bullpen sessions and "live" BP (see Minor League Camp Rosters for updated changes). It's possible that there won't be any more changes to the four squads until the first cuts from big league camp come next week, but if any of the "MIA" arrive I will update the rosters.

Four pitchers threw "live" BP this morning (Tuesday) at Minor League Camp:   
Jen-Ho Tseng
Thomas Hatch
Kyle Miller
Cole Brocker 

Tseng, Hatch, and K. Miller threw two "innings" each (30 pitches total - 15 pitches each "inning"), and Brocker threw one "inning" (25 pitches), meaning Hatch, K. Miller, and Tseng are being primed as starting pitchers, and Brocker to be used as a reliever.  

Daury Torrez got the save for Team Italy.

Torrez was one of two Cubs minor league pitchers loaned to Team Italy today (Jonathan Martinez was the other one) so they could play nine innings.

However, Torrez and Martinez are not Italian or of Italian descent (they were even unable to locate Italy on a world map), so Team Italy will have to forfeit the game.

Sorry.

So.....

Cubs Win!

Obviously the Cubs had this planned out WAY in advance. 

The Cubs have assigned six NRI pitchers to Minor League Camp: LHPs Gerardo Concepcion and Manny Parra, and RHPs Andury Acevedo, Daniel Corcino, Fernando Rodriguez, and Ryan Williams. Parra (April 2016 TJS), Acevedo (April 2016 knee surgery for torn ACL), and Rodriguez (September 2016 surgery to repair torn lat) are rehabbing and did not pitch in any Cactus League games. With the six cuts, the Cubs MLB Spring Training roster is reduced from 66 to 60.

NEWS & NOTES FROM MINOR LEAGUE CAMP (WED 3/8):

The Cubs have purchased the contract of 23-year old OF Brandon Cummins from Southern Illinois (Frontier League), and he has been assigned to the South Bend squad at Minor League Camp. Cummins was a college teammate of Cubs minor league 2B Trent Giambrone (Cubs 2016 25th round draft pick) at Delta State.

AA Tennessee C-INF Gioskar Amaya is out for the year after undergoing knee surgery last month. Amaya was signed as a 16-year old IFA second-baseman in 2009 and was converted to catcher in 2015 (although he also plays 1B-2B-3B). The 24-year old Amaya has spent his entire career in the Cubs organization. He was eligible to be a minor league 6YFA post-2016, but he signed a 2017 minor league successor contract prior to being declared a FA.

Another player (OF Samir Lara) has arrived from the Cubs Donminican Academy. Several more are expected to arrive in coming days.  

Five pitchers threw "live" BP at Minor League Camp today:
Aaron Brooks
Preston Morrison
Tyson Miller
Trevor Clifton
Manuel Rodriguez

Brooks, Morrison, T. Miller, and Clifton threw two innings each (30 pitches - 15 pitches each inning), and Rodriguez threw one inning (25 pitches), meaning that Brooks, Morrison, Clifton, and T. Miller are each being primed as a starting pitchers at a "full-season" affiliate (Brooks at Iowa, Clifton at Tennessee, Morrison at either Tennessee or Myrtle Beach, and T. Miller at South Bend), and M. Rodriguez is being prepped as a reliever (probably at South Bend).

Brooks was sent to Minor League Camp from the big league squad to get "sim game" work (so that he could pitch two innings and throw exactly 30 pitches). He is projected to be in the Iowa starting rotation (probably with Butler, Mills, Zastryzny, R. Williams, and/or Buchanan).

The Cubs purchased Manuel Rodriguez from Yucatan (Mexican League) last July. The 20-year old RHRP clearly relies heavily on his off-speed stuff because he threw about 80% curve balls & change-ups in his one inning of "live" BP (most pitchers throw 80% fastballs in "live" BP). While he doesn't appear to be anything special, Rodriguez does have three years of experience in the Mexican League, so he could move fast.

ex-cub, current stainding-ovation-in-waiting recipient dexter fowler is 6/13 with 7 walks so far this spring. dayam.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

There's also reports he's started to change the Cardinals clubhouse bringing alot of the Cubs stuff there against what Matheny likes but basically forcing Matheny to deal with it because the players like it so much. Dunno I think we're going to regret not keeping him.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

I don't think he's ever going to hit enough for it to matter which on-deck circle he stands in. But, also, isn't he supposed to play the OF? I wonder if he'll lose some of the football weight and get down to a more reasonable 245-225, instead of the 255 he's currently listed at. If you are going to be Adam Dunn or Kyle Schwarber in the OF, you have to be an elite slugger.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

he knows wtf he was doing...why he felt the need to get his name in the press in this way is another issue. yeah, he's a waste of a roster space, but he's not new to the game.

Anybody else having trouble logging into TCR while on an iPhone? I cannot - had to log in through a PC. The new addition of entering a numerical value in order to prevent spam accounts may be gumming up the system, at least on my phone anyways.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

The spam protection step has been removed - I was able to log in on my phone this afternoon- thank you site admin!

BEARS! Way to go Bears! We'll for sure climb out of the NFC's crap pile with the signing of MIKE GLENNON! Whoo! I can't wait to see their draft class this year.

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

Great to have Mike Glennon on board -- with no receivers to throw to. Six straight seasons missing the playoffs (and 9 of 10) -- wonder how long the streak will go. This, in a league where almost 40% of the teams make the playoffs each year. Sheesh.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Glennon is very immobile and with terrible tackle play I think we're going to see very soon some of the positives Cutler brought to the position even though I'm fine with him being gone. We have no receivers, no tackles, below average TE play on the offense and on defense a terrible secondary and middling front 7 with no real stars and a supposed # 9 pick who only shows up on certain plays and gets pushed around the rest of the time when he's not hurt. The only positives from last year were Jordan and Grasu getting hurt which allowed Whitehair to actually look really good at center. That's not anywhere even close to getting it done though. Ugh so depressing being a Bears fan. Thank god for the Cubs.

dumpster pitching for team canada...first time on the mound in years in any capacity. he's facing a nearly literal all-star dominican team. good f'n luck.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

welly hits a 2r HR off dumpster. dumpster's relying heavily on deception...hitting 90mph...not getting a lot of swing/miss. he doesn't look horrible, but he doesn't look he's going to go far with this comeback if he has aspirations beyond team canada.

"Kris Bryant will receive $1.05 million from the Cubs in 2017, per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports." pre-arb record contract, though not by much (mike trout, 2014, 1m).

I don't see Ho-Young Son on the Cubs minor league rosters but I'm not seeing where he's been released. Has anyone heard?

More "live" BP at Cubs Minor League Camp this morning, as Adbert Alzolay, Trey Hedges, Jake Stinnett, and Manual Rondon get stretched out to three innings a piece (45 pitches - 15 pitches each "inning"). So AS THINGS STAND RIGHT (subject to change), it would appear that the Opening Day starting rotations for the Cubs four full-season affiliates are likely to be: IOWA: 1. Butler 2. Mills 3. Zastryzny 4. Brooks 5. R. Williams 6a. Buchanan 6b. Kelly 6c. Frankoff NOTE: At least one or possibly two of the starting rotation candidates (probably Buchanan, Kelly, and/or Frankoff) will likely be assigned to the I-Cubs bullpen as SP/RP swing-men. TENNESSEE: 1. Hedges 2. Tseng 3. Stinnett 4. Clifton 5. Morrison MYRTLE BEACH: 1. Kellogg 2. Alzolay 3. de la Cruz 4. K. Miller 5. Steele SOUTH BEND: 1. Cease 2. Hatch 3. Moreno 4. M. Rondon 5. T. Miller Again, as of right now and based upon what is happening at Minor League Camp, these would be the projected Opening Day starting rotations for the Cubs four full-season affiliates - SUBJECT TO CHANGE -

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Phil, I'm not seeing Underwood listed among your projected rotations, and I don't recall seeing his name in any of the big-league exhibition games. Have you seen him around, and do you know if he's healthy? Assuming he isn't, any idea what's wrong with him?

[ ]

In reply to by craig

CRAIG: Duane Underwood Jr was shut-down for about ten days (don't know why), but he has begun throwing bullpens again and is supposed to pitch in a game this weekend after throwing "live" BP tomorrow (presuming it goes well). As things stand right now, Underwood will be in the starting rotation at Tennessee on Opening Day (although he might not be the #1 guy).

27 pitchers (four starters and 23 relievers) threw "live" BP Sunday morning at Cubs Minor League Camp.

The starters threw three innings a piece (45 pitches - 15 pitches each inning), and the relievers threw one inning (25 pitches).

As you will note, RHP Jeremy Null, LHP Jose Paulino, RHP Pedro Silverio, RHP Matt Swarmer, and LHP Kyle Twomey have been moved to the bullpen, although Silverio and/or Swarmer could be moved back to SP if they are left behind at Extended Spring Training.

* throws left

STARTING PITCHERS:
Trevor Clifton
Tyson Miller
Preston Morrison
Ryan Williams

RELIEVER PITCHERSS:
Pedro Araujo
Craig Brooks
Holden Cammack
Jared Cheek
Josh Conway
Enrique de los Rios
Scott Effross
Greyfer Eregua
* Colton Freeman
David Garner
Chad Hockin
Daniel Lewis
Mark Malave
Randy McCurry
Ryan McNeil
M. T. Minacci
Jeremy Null
* Jose Paulino
* Wyatt Short
Matt Swarmer
* Kyle Twomey
Pedro Silverio
* John Williamson

RHP Tanner Griggs and RHP Nick Sarianides were each scheduled to throw an inning but were scratched.

Also, RHP Alexander Santana and LHP Yapson Gomez have arrived in Camp, leaving only OF Michael Foster, RHP Gabriel Lima, LHP Eugenio Palma, and LHP Tyler Peitzmeier MIA, and Peitzmeier has supposedly retired (not official yet).

TIM: With a 92-94 MPH heavy-sinker & power slider combo, Paulino could move quickly as a reliever, instead of spending or wasting time (perhaps years) trying to master an off-speed pitch that might not ever happen. Obviously a pitcher's baseball-value is diminished a bit when he moves from the starting rotation to the bullpen (especially while still in "A"-ball), but sometimes you have to be realistic and appreciate what it is you do have, even if it isn't everything you had hoped for.

Paulino was breaking bats left & right in his "live" BP session today, so he is definitely no fun to hit against. He just needs to throw strikes consistently (and for him, that's easier said than done).

30 pitchers (two starters and 28 relievers) threw "live" BP Monday morning at Cubs Minor League Camp. (57 pitchers threw "live" BP at Minor League Camp over the past two days) The starters threw three innings a piece (45 pitches - 15 pitches each inning), and the relievers threw one inning (25 pitches). The pitchers who threw one inning include younger starting pitchers not yet ready for full-season ball who are earmarked for Extended Spring Training (such as Assad, Marte, and A. Rondon), where they can be stretched-out as starters over a period of several weeks. * throws left STARTING PITCHERS: Dylan Cease * Justin Steele RELIEVER PITCHERS: Luis Aquino Javier Assad Casey Bloomquist Jordan Brink Cole Brocker Jed Carter Daniel Corcino Oscar de la Cruz * Andin Diaz Elvis Diaz * Marc Huberman John Michael Knighton Jose Leidenz Dillon Maples Junior Marte Dakota Mekkes * Jordan Minch Tommy Nance James Norwood * Pablo Ochoa Tyler Peyton Duncan Robinson Manuel Rodriguez Andry Rondon Michael Rucker Ho-Young Son Nathan Sweeney * Tommy Thorpe LHSP Ryan Kellogg (Team Canada) and RHSP Erling Moreno (Team Colombia) are expected back in Camp by Wednesday, after their teams were eliminated from the WBC tournament on Sunday.

[ ]

In reply to by Dolorous Jon Lester

DJL: Oscar de la Cruz, Duncan Robinson, and Nathan Sweeney are NOT being prepped to be rotation starters with a full-season affiliate coming out of Minor League Camp.

In the case of Robinson and Sweeney, they are nominally in contention for a bullpen job at South Bend (as all of the pitchers assigned to the South Bend squad are right now), but I would say that both of them (especially Sweeney) almost certainly will be left behind at Extended Spring Training and be gradually stretched-out as a SP in April and May.

In the case of de la Cruz, I don't know if the Cubs are actually moving him to the bullpen or are planning to leave him behind at EXST to get stretched out as a starter very gradually (he had a sore elbow this time last year), but for whatever reason he is NOT being stretched out to be a starter at Myrtle Beach or South Bend at this time. (He is not in the Rehab Throwing Program, and he threw 25 pitches with no difficulty today).

It appears that the starters at South Bend will be Cease, M. Rondon, and T. Miller, plus two of the SP presently assigned to the Myrtle Beach squad (Hatch, Steele, K. Miller, and/or Alzolay), or possibly Erling Moreno once he's back at Minor League Camp from the WBC.

That means Hatch, Steele, Alzolay, and K. Miller are likely competing for two or maybe three spots in the Myrtle Beach rotation, with probably Kellogg and either Stinnett. Hedges, and/or Morrison the others. Then Underwood, Clifton, Tseng, and either Hedges, Stinnett, Morrison, Markey, Skulina, and/or or J. Martinez will be the five starters at Tennessee... AS THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW.

This is presuming that the Iowa rotation will be Butler, Mills, Zastryzny, R. Williams, and either Brooks or Buchanan, with Casey Kelly, Seth Frankoff, and possibly Williams Perez still in the running for an I-Cubs SP slot as well.

It will be tough for guys like Dallas Beeler and Jordan Pries to survive Minor League Camp. Neither profile as a reliever, and there is just no room for either of them in the Iowa rotation, either.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Great info as always, Phil, thanks. I was a bit disappointed that Paulino was being moved to the pen, but I would think it would be a huge disappointment for de la Cruz to be heading to the pen. Hopefully they're just being careful with him and either keeping him at EXST to be stretched out slowly or having him build up innings slowly to be able to throw more later when the innings should matter more and weather has improved.

The Cubs have optioned RHSP Aaron Brooks, LHRP Jack Leathersich, and RHRP Jose Rosario to AAA Iowa and RHSP Duane Underwood Jr to AA Tennessee, RHP Seth Frankoff, RHP Casey Kelly, and LHRP Zac Rosscup have been sent to Minor League Camp for reassignment, and RHRP Maikel Cleto has been released. Remember, players who have been optioned to the minors can continue to play in MLB Cactus League games. Also, players optioned to the minors prior to MLB Opening Day must remain on Optional Assignment for at least the first ten days of the MLB regular season, unless the player is recalled to replace a player who is placed on the MLB DL or other MLB inactive list (Paternity Leave, Bereavement, Family Medical Emergency, et al).

BILLYBUCKS: Bryan Hudson is in the Rehab Throwing Program, but I don't know why. So he will almost certainly begin the season at Extended Spring Training. While it is a bit of a set-back, it's a lot better to be in the Rehab Throwing Program than it is to be walking around Minor League Camp wearing a t-shirt & shorts with your pitching arm in an elbow splint (as is the case with Corey Black and Carson Sands).

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • 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.