Ramos Heat Damages Emeralds at Sloan Park

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 04:05 pm

Fidel Mejia singled, doubled, walked, and scored two runs, Gustavo Polanco singled twice, drove-in a run, and scored a run, Ed Howard IV drilled an RBI double, and Eury Ramos threw two innings of perfect baseball with five strikeouts, leading the South Bend Cubs (now the Hi-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) to a 6-4 victory over the Eugene Emeralds (the San Francisco Giants' new Hi-A affiliate in the Northwest League) in Cactus League Minor League Camp game action Wednesday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

Jacob Gonzalez (son of former major leaguer Luis Gonzalez) clubbed a solo HR for the Ems off converted position player Jerrick Suiter, and then Suiter promptly left the game with an injury (not clear what it was) one pitch into the next batter.     

The Eury Ramos 97-99 MPH FB is both electric and dominating, especially when combined with his filthy 88-91 MPH wipe-out SL. The 23-year old Ramos is scheduled to be a minor league 6YFA post-2021 but he has yet to pitch above Lo-A, so look for him to move very quickly in 2021 if he can remain healthy.    

Here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only)
SOUTH BEND LINEUP: 
1a. Jose Gutierrez, LF: 1-3 (1B, 4-3, E-5, R, 2 SB)
1b. Darius Hill, LF: 0-2 (K, L-7)
2a. Fabian Pertuz, 2B: 0-2 (5-3, 4-3, F-8 SF, RBI) 
2b. Yeison Santana, 2B: 0-1 (4-3)
3a. D. J. Wilson, CF: 0-2 (P-5, K, BB, R, SB)
3b. Cole Roederer, CF: 0-1 (K)
4a. Zac Taylor, RF: 0-3 (K, K, K)
4b. Nelson Velazquez, RF: 0-1 (5-3)
5a. Fidel Mejia, 3B; 2-2 (1B, 2B, BB, 2 R)
5b. Ryan Reynolds, 3B: 0-1 (K) 
6. Caleb Knight, C-DH: 0-4 (L-5, K, K, L-5)
7a. Grayson Byrd, 1B: 0-2 (1-3, 6-3) 
7b. Nelson Maldonado, 1B: 1-2 (1B, 6-3, R)
8a. Luis Verdugo, SS: 0-1 (BB, 1-3)
8b. Ed Howard IV, SS: 1-2 (2B, 6-3, RBI)
9a. Gustavo Polanco, DH: 2-2 (1B, 1B, R, RBI)
9b. Jake Washer, C: 1-1 (BB, 2B) 

SOUTH BEND PITCHERS: 
1, Ryan Jensen: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 2/0 GO/AO, 33 pitches (14 strikes)  
2. Derek Casey: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 1/2 GO/AO, 29 pitches (17 strikes) 
3. Jerrick Suiter: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 0/1 GO/AO, 11 pitches (4 strikes) 
4. Jose Albertos: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 1/1 GO/AO, 35 pitches (12 strikes) 
5. Eury Ramos: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 30 pitches (17 strikes) 

SOUTH BEND ERRORS: 1
3B Fidel Mejia - E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

ATTENDANCE: N/A 

WEATHER: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the 80's 

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Tags
Cubs Minor League Spring Training Game Recap
Eury Ramos
Fidel Mejia
Gustavo Polanco
Ed Howard IV

Comments

Submitted by bradsbeard on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 04:13 pm

Nate Maldonado = Nelson Maldonado?

Bummed about Suiter. Hopefully just something minor. 

Submitted by KingKongvsGodzilla on Thu, 04/15/2021 - 04:07 am

So it begins! Glad you're healthy and still keeping us updated, thanks AZPhil!

Any thoughts on Jensen and Howard?

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/15/2021 - 04:40 am

KKvG: Jensen had a lot of difficulty throwing strikes but he didn't give up any hard contact, either. He looked uncomfortable on the mound.

Howard absolutely roped his RBI double down the LF line. 

And Jose Albertos is still a raw mess. I really have to wonder if he is ever going to get it together. He still throws the change-up and the CV and his FB is 91-94, but he can't command any of his pitches. 

[ ]

Submitted by KingKongvsGodzilla on Thu, 04/15/2021 - 04:06 pm

Man, I'm pretty excited for these guys to get going (esp. Howard and Jensen), can't get enough of even the possibility Howard may start in High A South Bend. I don't think it's quite hit how huge a pick that was, Cubs have pretty literally never had a prospect like him. I was definitely surprised to see Albertos in camp at all, I guess that's promising and he's still only 22 with no surgeries, but yeah hard to hold out much optimism otherwise

This is a big year, hopefully it goes well, and can't thank you eonugh for keeping us updated as much you do! Randomly I'm glad Jose Gutierrez is still getting some opportunity, IIRC this is his MiL FA year so it's basically make or break

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/15/2021 - 04:03 pm

Of Ramos's 30 pitches, 22 were FB, and more than half of those (in both innings) were 99 MPH, so he wasn't just touching 99, he was sitting on 99.

I would say Eury Ramos, Trevor Megill, and Dauris Valdez (the guy the Cubs got back from SD in the James Norwood trade) are the three most-interesting RHRP in the Cubs system who are not on the MLB 40-man roster. Ramos and Megill are eligible to be Rule 55 minor league 6YFA post-2021 and Valdez is Rule 5 Draft eligible post-2021.

One bad thing about the Cubs 2021 MLB bullpen is the lack of roster flexibility. Too many guys who can't be moved back & forth to the minors. That needs to change, and adding guys like Ramos, Megill, and/or Valdez to the 40 post-2021 (if not earlier) to join Rowan Wick, Jason Adam, Brad Wieck, Jonathan Holder, Justin Steele, and Manuel Rodriguez as potential MLB relievers with usable options would be a good start.    

[ ]

Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Fri, 04/16/2021 - 04:19 pm

Fully agree with the lack of flexibility hindering bullpen construction. the only worry I have is even though most of our top 12 RPs are free agents after the year, Wieck and Steele (potentially Holder too) will join Brothers, Maples, and Mills as RP without options. Provided they're all tendered contracts, of course, that's already six spots taken. I do hope we start to see more guys we can move to and from Iowa easily over the coming seasons.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 04/17/2021 - 04:22 am

Most players get only three minor league options, but a player who has accrued less than five "full seasons" is eligible for a 4th minor league option.

For the purpose of determining eligibility for a 4th minor league option, a player accrues a "full season" when he spends at least 90 days on the Active List of an MLB and/or minor league club or clubs in a given season, or (in seasons prior to 2012) spends at least 60 days but less than 90 days on the Active List of an MLB and/or minor league club or clubs followed by an Injured List assignment where the combined time spent on the Active List and the Injured List equals at least 90 days or (beginning with the 2012 season) spends at least 30 days but less than 90 days on the Active List of an MLB and/or minor league club or clubs followed by an Injured List assignment where the combined time spent on the Active List and the Injured List equals at least 90 days.   
CoViD-19 EXCEPTION: With regard to a player's eligibility for a 4th minor option year in 2021 (and beyond), days spent on Optional Assignment in 2020 counted for nothing, and days spent on an MLB Active List and MLB inactive lists (IL, FMLA/Bereavement, Paternity Leave, et al) counted and were calculated at the prorated 2020 MLB Service Time rate (one day equals 2.78 days of MLB Service Time).

If a player qualifies for a 4th minor league option year, the 4th option is available during Spring Training and for the entire MLB regular season. 

CUBS ELIGIBLE FOR 4TH MINOR LEAGUE OPTION: (updated 3-23-2021)
Miguel Amaya, C (in 2023 - see NOTE)
Adbert Alzolay, RHP (in 2021 only - see NOTE)
Brailyn Marquez, LHP (in 2024 - see NOTE)
Christopher Morel, INF (in 2024 - see NOTE)
Manuel Rodriguez, RHP (in 2023 - see NOTE)
Justin Steele, LHP (in 2022 - see NOTE)
Keegan Thompson, RHP (in 2024 - see NOTE
NOTE: Adbert Alzolay is eligible for a 4th minor league option in 2021 but it will not be available in 2022 if it isn't used in 2021, Justin Steele will be eligible for a 4th minor league option in 2022 but only if his 3rd option is spent in 2021, Miguel Amaya and Manuel Rodriguez will be eligible for a 4th minor league option in 2023 but only if 3rd option is spent in 2022, and Brailyn Marquez, Christopher Morel, and Keegan Thompson will be eligible for a 4th minor league option in 2024 but only if 3rd option is spent in 2023 (TBD).

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 04/15/2021 - 04:46 pm

r.tepera suspended 3 games for throwing at b.woodruff (appealing).  d.ross gets 1 game and will miss friday's game.

Cubs MLB Roster

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40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on 60-DAY IL   

32 players are on the MLB ACTIVE LIST (26-man limit in effect on MLB Opening Day)

17 players signed to minor league contracts are Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-18-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 16
Adbert Alzolay
Javier Assad 
Brad Boxberger
Michael Fulmer
Kyle Hendricks
* Brandon Hughes
Julian Merryweather
Michael Rucker
Adrian Sampson
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele 
Marcus Stroman
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski
Rowan Wick

NRI PITCHERS: 10 
* Ryan Borucki  
Nick Burdi 
Tyler Duffey 
* Roenis Elias  
* Anthony Kay  
Mark Leiter Jr 
* Brendon Little  
Vinny Nittoli 
Manuel Rodriguez 
Cam Sanders 

CATCHERS: 2 
* Tucker Barnhart 
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
* Dom Nunez  
Luis Torrens 

INFIELDERS: 9
Nico Hoerner
* Eric Hosmer
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
* Zach McKinstry
Christopher Morel
* Edwin Rios
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
# Sergio Alcantara 
David Bote 
* Matt Mervis  

OUTFIELDERS: 5 
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Trey Mancini 
Seiya Suzuki 
Nelson Velazquez

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 2
Ben DeLuzio 
* Mike Tauchman   

OPTIONED: 8
Keven Alcantara, OF 
Miguel Amaya, C 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Jeremiah Estrada, P 
Ryan Jensen, P 
Caleb Kilian, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Codi Heuer, P 
Ethan Roberts, P
  


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