Spring Training Game Thread

[Illiterate Scholar]

That feels opening day-ish. Yamamoto had major reverse splits last year so Turner over Busch on opening day seems likely. Also it seems like Counsell isn't just gonna ease Shaw in. 

[Rcal10]

16 minutes ago, Illiterate Scholar said:

That feels opening day-ish. Yamamoto had major reverse splits last year so Turner over Busch on opening day seems likely. Also it seems like Counsell isn't just gonna ease Shaw in. 

My bet is Busch starts opening day at 1st. 

[Bertz]

Wow the noise difference between when the Cubs and Tigers are at bat is insane

Edited March 15, 2025 by Bertz

[Bertz]

Also Julian Merryweather looks fully back

[JHBulls]

Another few innings like this and the Dodgers will leave Japan having signed Mombetsu for a few hundred thousand dollars. 

[Bertz]

Seiya's lineouts tonight had xBA's of .850 and .970

[JHBulls]

Such a great atmosphere. 

[Bertz]

I know he gave up a run but I thought Miller looked a lot better.  I wonder if he's a guy whose stuff flattens out in the dry Arizona air?

[Irrelevant Dude]

On 3/13/2025 at 3:50 PM, Stratos said:

Brujan seems like replacement level nothingness. 

I don't like carrying both him and Berti.  Pick one of the two.

[Dfan25]

Watching that game last night and have to say Amaya throws are a bit concerning . 

Edited March 15, 2025 by Dfan25

[Rcal10]

10 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

Watching that game last night and have to say Amaya throws are a bit concerning . 

Pitchers didn’t give him a chance either. I only saw one high throw. And all the stolen bases were on the pitchers. He isn’t the best throwing catcher anyway. But nothing I saw from him concerned me. If pitchers can hold guys better than yesterday I think he is basically a league average throwing catcher. Not great, but nothing awful. 

[WhyCantWeWin]

3 hours ago, Dfan25 said:

Watching that game last night and have to say Amaya throws are a bit concerning . 

I think hes always had a noodle arm, likely will see a lot of steals whenever hes behind the plate

[Bertz]

Caden Dana is one of the tippy top pitching prospects in baseball and the Cubs' minor leaguers didn't let him get out of the 1st inning.

[Eeyore]

Ballesteros caught a runner stealing and took an extra base on a hit and an error. He looked faster than I expected.

[Eeyore]

That outfield situation after a home run looks incredibly dangerous. I'd be surprised if nobody was injured after that Armas homer.

[muntjack]

4 hours ago, TomtheBombadil said:

Hearn hit a HR in the 7th, has some athleticism, power, and bat speed, 

The grey winter gave way to budding spring, and that which had lain dormant flourished once again.  

 

[Stratos]

14 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Pitchers didn’t give him a chance either. I only saw one high throw. And all the stolen bases were on the pitchers. He isn’t the best throwing catcher anyway. But nothing I saw from him concerned me. If pitchers can hold guys better than yesterday I think he is basically a league average throwing catcher. Not great, but nothing awful. 

His pop-time is terrible.

[thawv]

18 hours ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

I don't like carrying both him and Berti.  Pick one of the two.

It's not Berti or Brujan.  It's Brujan or Workman.  Brujan is getting DFA as soon as Nico is back.  Hopefully in less than 2 weeks. 

 

Edited March 16, 2025 by thawv

[thawv]

2 hours ago, Stratos said:

His pop-time is terrible.

Yes it is.  Bottom 4% of the league.  But, there's not a lot of guys better at blocking the ball! 

 

[itisallpartoftheplan]

Tucker 1-31 heading into the season opener. 

[TarzanJoeWallis]

The more I hear Alex Cohen, the less I like him. He’s got a lot of Chip Caray in him. Over reacts to too many things. Numerous times in these Tokyo games he’s talked about a guy having a chance for his biggest hit in a Cubs uniform. It’s still spring training. 

[Illiterate Scholar]

Yeah the biggest hit stuff was a little much. He otherwise seems likeable, but hopefully JD rubs off on him to be a little less of a classic hokey baseball announcer guy. It actually reminds me a bit of why I don't think Pat pairs well with JD when he's always asking, "Well JD, what pitch would you call here?" And JD is always like, "Eh idk, whatever pitch he feels most comfortable throwing." 

[Irrelevant Dude]

3 hours ago, thawv said:

It's not Berti or Brujan.  It's Brujan or Workman.  Brujan is getting DFA as soon as Nico is back.  Hopefully in less than 2 weeks. 

 

That's what I'm saying though, it "shouldn't" be Brujan or Workman.  It would be dumb to have 2 light-hitting infielders on the bench.  If the Cubs like Berti, and apparently they do, then there's no place for Brujan.  Workman should be given the opportunity until/unless he shows he can't hit Major League pitching.  And if that happens, there are dozens of Brujan's around the league waiting to take the spot.

[thawv]

9 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

That's what I'm saying though, it "shouldn't" be Brujan or Workman.  It would be dumb to have 2 light-hitting infielders on the bench.  If the Cubs like Berti, and apparently they do, then there's no place for Brujan.  Workman should be given the opportunity until/unless he shows he can't hit Major League pitching.  And if that happens, there are dozens of Brujan's around the league waiting to take the spot.

I responded because you said Berti or Brujan.  Not both.  It's never going to be both because Berti is a lock, so it'a Workman or Brujan.  And Workman is also a lock. 

[Jason Ross]

I see a lot of ya'll talking about Amaya's defense/steals/etc...Reminded me of this (relatively quick) video from Foolish Baseball. Guy is quite good at baseball data and analytics and is really entertaining. This is a cool look into that discussion (do you steal on the pitcher or the catcher?).