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

January, Chicago's Hottest Month of the Year

I love baseball newsy days in January. I love roster moves. You can see that I don't even mind listening to a baseball guru or two.

Fox's Baseball analyst, Ken Rosenthal was on WGN Radio's "Sports Central" show hosted by David Kaplan tonight. For those not able to listen, here's a summary of his take on all things recently swirling in Cubsville. He takes on Milton Bradley vs Lou Piniella (a dangerous mix). Could these two ever be as lovable as Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson in the 2003 film, Anger Management? Somehow, I just can't see LouPa getting Bradley to sing, "I Feel Pretty".

Plus a bit more on the shrinking odds to acquire some guy named Jake.

On to the details, after the jump...

David Kaplan: You're thoughts on Milton Bradley.

Ken Rosenthal: I love Milton Bradley, but wonder if Bradley can stay healthy playing RF. They've got to keep him on the field which is going to be the challenge. He is a guy who plays really hard and that's one reason he gets hurt a lot. Fans will like his fire and they are going to like a guy who led the AL in OPS, but they'll only like him if he's on the field producing.

Kaplan: Is Bradley a good teammate? People I respect around the game that I've called say he's an excellent team mate, just leave him alone and let him do his job.

Rosenthal: It may be a challenge for Lou Piniella to leave him alone.  Bradley's primary goal is to win. Bradley had no problems with Ron Washington in Texas and Washington did really well with him.  Lou can't rip him in public like he's done Fukudome. It's potentially a dangerous mix as Lou is volatile too. You can say the same things about Lou (his temperment) that you can say about Milton Bradley. Some thought he should go to Tampa with the DH, but you saw Tampa extended themselves financially to get Burrell $16M, so you can see why Bradley wanted to come to the Cubs as he almost got twice that much from the Cubs. Plus there is an appeal to every player to play with the Cubs. If they win you're a made man.

Kaplan: Handicap the Cubs today vs the end of the 2008 season.

Rosenthal: He likes where the Cubs are but he understands the criticism. Not a cop out, merely an acknowledgment of the value of DeRosa to the team. The reasons for the DeRosa trade were to

1) get more left handed (Miles, Fontenot, Bradley), they are much more of a balanced lineup then thay have been in the past. Even though they lead the NL in runs scored last year, they felt all season that their imbalance was not a good thing. 

2) $ savings

3)  DeRosa's is a free agent after this season and they wouldn't have DeRosa forever. The value they got back seemingly wasn't great but they won't know that for several years.  They've reconfigured themselves to be a more of a  balanced offense. If he stays on the field, Bradley is a dynamic offensive player and he's also what Cubs fans are looking for as far as on base skills. The key is keeping him going and if they do that Jim Hendry is going to look good.

Kaplan: Do you think a Peavy deal will occur?

Rosenthal: Now that the Padres ownership is going to change it's much less likely. New owner Jeff Moorad's first move is not likely to trade Peavy their best and most popular player. Can it still happen, Sure. Any owner who is logical about things can trade any player at any time if the value is proper. Given the PR damage the team has suffered all off-season it seems hard to believe the team is going to make this deal when they haven't made it under duress. He said his guess is that the odds of a trade happening have dropped to about a 10% chance.

Kaplan: When the Marquis and Bradley deals are finalized, do you believe the Cubs are done or will they get themselves another starting pitcher?

Rosenthal: I have a hard time believing they are going to pay big money for another starting pitcher, say Derek Lowe. The Dempster deal was a top of the market deal. The Bradley deal was sticker price. These are not bargain deals. If the (Cubs) ownership change happens and the new owners say get one more  pitcher, then they might be in on Lowe.

Kaplan: Why give up Josh Vitters who they say is the jewel of the system or other prospects when you could keep those guys who cost you nothing and just sign Lowe, for less years and less money, a sinkerballer who would fit in at Wrigley?

Rosenthal: The answers are simple. Peavy is in the prime of his career. Lowe is 9 years older than Peavy. Peavy would probably be under contract for 4-5 years, you'd have to give him another year in a deal. Peavy is a young ace type pitcher. Lowe might be on the decline although he hasn't shown it yet.

Comments

"Just let him alone and let him do his job." (I realize you're paraphrasing, Cubster.)

Who wasn't 'letting him alone' when Bradley harrassed a cop in the course of doing her duty and got himself arrested and ultimately sent to jail in '04?

He got himself traded from the Indians by getting into a row with his manager after he was pulled from a Spring Training game for not running out a pop-up. I guess Eric Wedge should have 'let him alone.'

Then that crap last year when he was ready to take the head off Ryan Lefebvre, the Royals announcer, because he thought he had been insulted.

The Cubs spent $30 million on a scumball. I am surprised how readily analysts like Rosenthal and Kaplan, who I normally find to be outstanding, are forgetting the worst of this guy's history and suggesting that the Cubs' biggest concern will be his health.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubnut

Wow, I'm glad people aren't asking that about me. I was incredibly immature until I was about 30. It just takes some of us longer than the rest of you. Sorry about that. Maybe we should just throw people onto the street when they can't get their act together by a certain age, and see what happens then. This is a team that needs some fire in it, and I happen to think this guy may give it to them. I suppose it is possible that he hasn't matured yet -- although I don't remember hearing about any problems last year, but don't underestimate the Power of 30 to knock some sense into a person. It is possible that if he sucks out there on the field he'll get booed and then go nuclear. So what? If he sucks, he sucks, and the Cubs will suffer no more or less if he has an incident. The rest of the guys on the team should be able to take care of themselves no matter what Bradley does. They are grown men. Based on my own personal history, I am betting that Bradley is now, too.

My biggest concern is the durability factor. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it, and this guy has played more than 105 (?) games once in his career. The second biggest concern, and this is a close second, is his demeanor vis a vis the fans. Especially in the RF bleachers. Look how Jacque Jones let them manhandle him. If Bradley does a 2 for 20 at some point, he'll be just as big of a target and he'll try to give it back as much as they give it to him. I'll say this, it's going to be a really interesting summer either way at Wrigley Field. And what the heck, the white bread approach to the roster didn't help advance them the last two years, maybe adding a short fuse will. I've read in several accounts today that all Bradley wants to do is win. And that comes from former managers, coaches and players.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Never read anything about Bradley jaking it on the field. His managers and ex teammates and Gerald Perry said he plays hard, wants to win. Yeah he's got a screw loose. Does it really matter if he plays on a regular basis and plays well? That in itself is a gamble given his history, but who cares about the other stuff? Should we cite name, chapter and verse on pro players in many sports who are less than stellar characters off the field, and see how many people wanted them outta town? Dave Duerson? Bobby Hull? AJ Pierzynski? I want performance on the field and the guy is a jerk off the clock, then I'll take him to be a jerk that I want in the lineup.

The Cubs could have easily traded for Bradley in 2007 but declined. That was right around the time they traded Barrett...In any event, they must feel that he's matured to the point that he can be trusted with a multi-year contract. Looking over Bradley's career stats, I couldn't help but think of Felix Pie. Bradley struggled for the first 3 years of his career...

[ ]

In reply to by carmenfanzone

I really don't think Hendry cares a whole lot about his maturity as a person. I think he wants him to fit on the team, do what his manager says and keep his hands off the fans. Performance is going to be what counts. As I recall the price for Bradley in 07 was steeper than what the Cubs wanted to offer, and as is their wont they were committed to the two guys they signed to provide left hand pop in the outfield: Jones and Floyd. I am sure Hendry has vetted Bradley with all his baseball people and done his research and is confident the guy can play and play on a regular basis. Just not sure that he worries about what Milton does at home.

is talking to me about Texas football right now on ESPN...

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

and then ESPN reminds me why not to watch them when they put Skip Bayless on with Lil Wayne with Bayless calling Lil Wayne's latest album, his "Purple Rain"...

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I like lefthanded, but the Cubs tend to go after lefty hitters who hit mostly to the wrong field. The two you mentioned plus Choi, Jacque Jones, Edmonds, Fukudome. (Burnitz not really an opposite-field hitter. He just aimed for the middle of the fairway.) Anyway, I just analyzed Bradley's BR home-run log from last season and of his eleven lefty home runs, five are described as RF Line. Three are simply RF. One is CF-RF, for a total of 9 to the right of center. One is LF-CF and one LF. A pull-hitting lefty slugger. Nice!

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Yes, there's a theory, thanks for asking. It's the Different Day Theory. The idea is that righty hitters, even if their numbers are generally good against righty throwers, are likely to have a rough day at the same time if a pitcher with really good breaking stuff is hitting his spots. Like against Derek Lowe last October. A lefty pull hitter is looking for pitches inside. Inside at the waist, at the knees, fastball, breaking ball--no problem. So the exact same pitch that is causing maximum discomfort to Soriano/Lee/Ramirez/DeRosa/Soto looks like low-hanging fruit to Bradley. Jacque Jones was a wrong-way hitter. He couldn't hit a breaking ball inside. So it was like having another right-handed hitter in the lineup. Just keep throwing the same pitch in the same spot to everybody. With some variety in the look of your hitters, you have different guys coming through on "different days." With the heavily right-handed Cubs, it's been feast or famine. Everybody or nobody hitting. The twelve you scored yesterday don't help you today against Lowe, Arroyo, etc. I don't have stats supporting this different-day theory, but there are there no stats opposing it, either. But here's something anecdotal. The Cubs have zero luck against Cole Hamels, even though he's lefthanded, because his changeup is a righty killer. The Brewers are heavily righthanded also, but they were able to beat Hamels once last season by scoring four runs on a couple of two-run homers by Prince Fielder. Of course, it's a bad example because Bradley will bat righty against Hamels. But it illustrates what righty-lefty balance is about.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

I can't say I completely disagree with your idea here, though I usually prefer hitting approaches that use all fields (Lee, Ramirez, Fontenot) to guys who mostly use one field (Soriano, Theriot, Jacque Jones). But if a pull-hitting lefty hits guys what a pull-hitting righty doesn't, then don't opposite-field or all-field righties also hit those guys that pull-hitting righties don't? Seems to me that the Cubs had a lot of guys batting from the right side who were perfectly willing to hit the ball to RF or CF, other than Soriano and Johnson. I can definitely agree that the Cubs haven't lefty who could crush the ball toward RF in a while, though Cliff Floyd was supposed to be that. I'm guess I'm just not convinced that being a pull hitter is going to make a lefty more valuable to the Cubs. Now, the power that might come with pulling the ball...

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

I mostly agree. I think the best hitters from both sides try to find a pitch they can drive (pull?) until there are two strikes; and then with two strikes maybe they settle for a single to the opposite field. Lee has gotten too willing (to my taste) to hit a single to right early in the count. Piniella said once that you want a few lefty hitters because the pitcher has to keep shifting the target and he makes a mistake and grooves one. One thing about pull hitters is they crush mistakes. Opposite-field hitters tend to take pitches that they should have crushed. (They weren't looking for something middle-in.) We've seen a bit of that with the Cubs the last couple years, and I don't mean Soriano.

That's so great that he would take some time, like he obviously has, to tell everyone about this saga. He didn't have to say anything about it. Now, at least we who have been hoping he would be able to get the team understand what he is going through.

Ok...take a chance on a player with high upside. Let's forget that this player had a career best last season, while DH'ing 97 of 126 games, and the previous 3 seasons played 75,96,61 games, and has never proven that he can stay healthy to play 120 games back to back even, which would still be missing a quarter of the season.

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

I don't remember saying you should ignore it. It is of course the reason the Cubs could sign him in the first place. I guess my point is that while he has risks, he has significant upside. Since, IMO, the Cubs window appears to be closing why not take the risk.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

That's a good point. He is available for the money because he's an injury risk. Remember when Hendry talked about the fact that a non-injury-risk Rich Harden didn't exist...and if he did, he wouldn't be available.

Because then you are stuck paying him while he's injured. The risk is not worth the reward. He had a great season last year, but that's not who he's been his whole career.

I don't mind Hendry rolling the dice here - if Bradley flakes out, he flakes out. His teammates should be able to handle it, the Oakland A's had clubhouse fistfights almost on a daily basis during their glory days in the 70's. They just wanted to win, period. Granted, it's not an exact analogy, but you get the drift.

I don't think this is 3/44, but I caught this over at the bretheren's CCO site re, Levine's info on the deal: "Levine revealed that the third year on Bradley's contract is not guaranteed and is a vesting option based on games played in the first two years. Bradley is expected in Chicago by Thursday to take a physical with the official announcement being made on Friday at Wrigley." Count me in the "health worries" column. I'm not as gloom and doom as the Dr. aaron B is, but IF Dome does not turn it around AND Bradley misses significant time, it could be a mess o trouble. I could give a shit about all of the "clubhouse leader" and "sensitive player" bullshit. LEt's win a couple playoff games. And - getting back to the J.D. Drew scenario I brought up yesterday - I am too lazy to look this up, but if Bradley misses the same percentage of games that Drew has during his Red Sox signing - yet produces to the same degree while in the lineup - is it a productive addition?

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I think our best case scenario here depends less on Fukudome and more on the Hoff. If he can build on what he started last year, he gives us a RF replacement with some pop when Bradley goes down. That will hopefully limit Gathright's role to mostly pinch running and an occasional start, and CF can remain the Fuku/RJ platoon. If Lou decides to pull a Dusty and replace Bradley's OPS with Fuku in RF and RJ/Gathright in CF (a la replacing DLee with Neifi by sliding Todd Walker over to 1B in 2006), we'll be in for a long season.

That Cuban post on his website was great! Man he would be a great owner for the Cubs..it's too bad he backed out. http://blogmaverick.com/2009/01/06/the-cubs/ As for those who don't want Bradley....maybe he fails his physical. In all honestly i'd rather have Peavy then Bradley! I think the more pitching the better. With Bradley signed it seems unlikely with this economic environment and the fact the Padres are now selling (the new owner may want Peavy)...the window is probably gone.

Good question E-Man...of course, he played 140 games in 2007....not well, but he was out there. Wow....I will say this, Milton Bradley makes JD Drew look like Cal Ripken jr as far as games played. He's played under 100 games just once, which was in 2005. Also, without just looking at HR and RBI as I have accused of doing, career numbers: Drew .284/.392/.502 averaging 109 games a season Bradley .280/.370/.457 averaging 90 games a season

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

And, again, J.D. Drew's contract is more than twice the total money that Milton Bradley's is. 5 years, 14 million dollars per year. 3 years, 10 million per year. There's a reason for that, you know. Historically, more productive players get to make, you know, more money than the less productive ones. Kind of a base economic principle. Don't know why you're complaining about not having J.D. Drew and acting like we could pay him the same amount of money. EDIT: Furthermore, I would go so far as to say that signing a guy like J.D. Drew, who you've proven just a little but more more durable and valuable over the course of his career than Milton Bradley to a FIVE YEAR DEAL is considerably dumber than signing Bradley to 3. I wouldn't say that those numbers you posted above scream to me that Drew worth double the money over a longer deal than Milton Bradley. Particularly since Drew has alleged attitude issues, as well.

Manny ... Abreu ... Dunn ... at least one of these guys will still be unemployed in a month. Garrett Anderson might want to give up hope on that guaranteed deal pretty soon here.

I read that Jason Jennings had "flexor" surgery in late May - after going 0-5 for MB's old club. Since Hendry has had a bit of success and likes reclamation projects with these kind of players, would a minor league offer be a possibility? You know someone will take a flier on him. Help us, oh, Obi Wan Cubster. What exactly is a "flexor" elbow surgery? Is this what Chris Carpenter had?

What exactly is a "flexor" elbow surgery? Is this what Chris Carpenter had? ======== The wrist flexor tendons originate on the bone just above the elbow, medially which is the inside (the medial humeral epicondyle). Carpenter originally had his elbow scoped for arthritis, this didn't work then he had Ulnar Collateral surgery (Tommy John procedure). The medial flexor origin is adjacent to the origin of the Ulnar Collateral so they can sometimes be hard to separate except for the fact that the UCL usually doesn't respond to rest/rehab without surgery and the flexor origin inflammation does respond to conservative rx such as non-steroidal medication and therapy. When the flexor tendon origin inflammation doesn't respond to treatment, it can be explored surgically and the inflammed tissue excised and reinforced. This isn't an arthroscopic procedure as it's outside of the joint and near another important anatomic structure, the ulnar nerve (but that's another topic). http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/elbow/elbow_medial_epicon…

Actually the perception of Drew is that unless he's up for a contract he likes to take a lot of games off when he's not seriously hurt. ======== So he's Manny-lite with some defensive upside.

$10M a year is highish...but if Raul Ibanez is worth $10.5M a year then I guess Milton Bradley is worth $10M a year. If the Cubs played in the American League, that is. Aside from giving a job to a guy that's played a grand total of 23 games in RF in the last two years, the three-year term surprises me even more. I could see a one or two-year deal with a vesting option based on games played or production. Instead I fear we have a multi-million dollar albatross--win or lose, I suspect that the Cubs will be paying the lion's share of Bradley's salary in 2011 while he suits up for another team. As my 8-yr old niece would say, "This can only end in tears."

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

We discussed this ad nauseum last year. Why to YOU care what the "retail" price is? Were you one of the ones complaining that Mark DeRosa was given too many years, and too much? Did that bother you? It is a "dice roll" at market rates where there are very limited resources for the type of model Hendry purchased. What don't you understand about this? And, once more, if the deal is what Levine states - that I quoted above - it is essentially a TWO year deal that vests if his health holds up during this period.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I wouldnt care about retail price if I were a Yankee's fan. I do care when we dish out sticker price on every guy we get. Then Hendry cries poor when a Peavy/Brian Roberts deal comes along. And ask yourself if DeRosa gets dumped and Woody isn't even offered arbitration if Hendry hadn't of overspent on evey damn free agent he gets? Every contract, and financial move this organization makes has a relation to the next move. Bottom line is that I am a Cubs fan. I want to see them win a WS. But I also want them to be good for the long haul. And until they get smarter with ALL their moves. And get around to stocking the ML system. I just don't think they will get there. Especially now that Cincy has a competent GM. Huntington seems to get it in Pittsburgh. Milwaukee has shown they can develop guys. And St. Louis has a new ballpark.

[ ]

In reply to by DC Tom

Aside from giving a job to a guy that's played a grand total of 23 games in RF in the last two years, the three-year term surprises me even more. I could see a one or two-year deal with a vesting option based on games played or production. It has been reported numerous times and in numerous places, including on this blog, that the contract's third year is some kind of vesting option based on games played or something very similar.

Dodgers, Nats and Mets are in line ahead of us, and actually have money to spend. If the Cubs are now in the market for "live arms", I suspect that this translates into "young and cheap".

I hope like hell I'm wrong, but I think this was a shitty deal. You guys are fighting an awful lot about the specifics, but there are two facts over Bradley's career: 1) He's been in the media, relatively often, almost always negatively; and 2) He's missed A LOT of time with injury. Yes, if you want a third it's he's a helluva hitter when healthy (I'm scared by how much he DH'd last year myself). This isn't the chance you take to put the team "over"; it smells more like a GM who's purse strings are now tight and has run fresh out of ideas. I said it before and I'll say it again. Abreu = out of our price range. Dunn, however, is also a sure thing, maybe not as good, but you can pretty much bet on what his season line will look like, and I'll take a nigh guaranteed 40 HRs and shitty defense right now.

Well,your book is not Lous who really wanted a lh bat.Burell is a rh lf, most people on this board are not. Dunn Supporters (you have seen him tried to catch, right?), and we don't know what Abreau wanted to sign. I will prbably pick burell for my fantasy team Though.

yeah heart attack and apparently had been dead for days before they found him. I suppose it's rather amazing that any members of the Stooges made it to 60, can't say the same for 40% of their MC5 Detroit brethren.

Bradley is the best option for RF for the Cubs. I think lineup is set for opening day with that signing. Starting Pitching: maybe the best option is to do nothing at this time. Peavy is a great option but if you can part with some of the Indiana pitchers Cubs just acquired and maybe Cedeno and Pie. That trade would work now that Cubs have less cash committment due to Marquis trade. OR use Marshall..which may be the best option. Relievers: This area is the biggest ? mark in my opinion. does anyone know if the current bullpen as it now sits, is any good???

The best option for RF is the guy who had a career year mostly DH'ing, who hasn't show he can stay healthy for a full OF season since 2004, and has a career full of altercations on and off the field. Bobby Abreu?

Hoffpauir in RF. Please take a close look at that. He is a 1B, who if he HAD to, could play a little LF. He played 580 games at 1B, 70 in the OF. You more than likely wouldn't want to throw this player into RF at Wrigley...or anywhere else.

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.