Simpson gets first glimpse of Wrigley Field

[J.R.]

At 6-foot, 175-pounds, Hayden Simpson looks a lot more like a Wrigley Field vendor than a future building block for the Cubs.

 

But what the Cubs' first-round draft pick lacks in size, he makes up for velocity.

 

"I've topped out at 97 (m.p.h.)," he said. "I'm an anomaly."

 

Like San Francisco ace Tim Linecum, another slight pitcher with a big fastball, it's all in the motion for Simpson.

 

"I've learned to get everything out of my body I can," he said. "Luckily I've stayed healthy. I've just progressed."

 

The Arkansas-born right-hander agreed to a $1.06 million bonus, and threw off the bullpen mound at Wrigley on Saturday before pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

 

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/06/cubs-first-round-pick-works-out-at-wrigley.html

[wvcbxl]

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100619&content_id=11351940&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

His first workout at Wrigley didn't last long, but Rothschild gave him some pointers on his mechanics and Simpson made the adjustment on the next pitch.

 

Sounds like he's coachable; that is a good sign, imho.