Spring Training games thread

[Bertz]

47 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

What kind of platoon splits are we hoping for from Busch? 100 wRC+ gs lefties is best case scenario? 

Steamer has him at 97/129 lefties/righties

ZiPS likes Busch a lot more, but unfortunately I just see slash lines and not an indexed number. They have .247/.338/.438 vs. .261/.351/.507, which eyeballing it I'd say something like 115/145?

[Geographyhater8888]

54 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Steamer has him at 97/129 lefties/righties

ZiPS likes Busch a lot more, but unfortunately I just see slash lines and not an indexed number. They have .247/.338/.438 vs. .261/.351/.507, which eyeballing it I'd say something like 115/145?

I’d be blown away by that slash line vs lefties. ZIPS seems generous on this. His OPS last season vs lefties was 642 so that’s quite a jump. If he strikes a happy medium between steamer and ZIPS I’d be thrilled.

Edited February 27 by Geographyhater8888

[Bull]

7 hours ago, Stratos said:

Have been more interested in the velos than results.  So far everyone's velo looks as good or better as last year.  Good sign.

Wiggins sat 97-98 today which is impressive.  Probably some adrenaline there though.  Didn't walk anyone either.

Makes me wonder about the gun. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Idk where the Former Cubs thread went but Brennan launched a bomb at 114 yesterday. Would be nice if he could stay healthy and establish himself. Hes with the M's.

[Jason Ross]

1 hour ago, Bull said:

Makes me wonder about the gun. 

Most others are right on what they normally do, and a few like Jamo have had below-average velocity. The gun is likely fine. A good reminder that the Cubs are on a second season, and a first full-offseason with Tyler Zombro and a stronger connection to Tread Athletics, and Zombro has been given increased duties and roles within the organization as a whole pitching wise. 

Also the Cubs haven't only played at Sloan. 

I think the readings are probably fine.

[Bertz]

 

[Bertz]

Add Ethan Roberts to the list of guys showing way more velo this spring I guess

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I see Porter Hodge is continuing to suck. Does he even make the team?

[Rcal10]

19 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

I see Porter Hodge is continuing to suck. Does he even make the team?

No. I don’t think he is even expected to make the team with a good spring. He will be in Iowa this year. If he does well maybe he comes up. But I don’t think they plan on him making the team this spring. 

[Jason Ross]

Colin Snider hitting 94.7mph

[Rcal10]

Just now, Jason Ross said:

Colin Snider hitting 94.7mpb

Does he have a chance of making the team. Really, how many spots are available? Have to tbink Palencia, Hunter, Rea, Theilbar, Milner, Maton all make the team. I also think Webb makes the team. So is there only 1 spot? At most, 2? Snider, Holloway, Roberts, Brown, Assad, Wicks, Neely, and a few I am sure I am missing, are all fighting for 1 or 2 spots. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I was assuming Assad would def make the team but I guess they could want to keep him stretched out.

[Jason Ross]

8 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Does he have a chance of making the team. Really, how many spots are available? Have to tbink Palencia, Hunter, Rea, Theilbar, Milner, Maton all make the team. I also think Webb makes the team. So is there only 1 spot? At most, 2? Snider, Holloway, Roberts, Brown, Assad, Wicks, Neely, and a few I am sure I am missing, are all fighting for 1 or 2 spots. 

Yes. I think Snider at 95mph is almost a guarantee add. That puts him on the inside track for "Brad Keller, 2026" (though not *as* good).

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

9 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Does he have a chance of making the team. Really, how many spots are available? Have to tbink Palencia, Hunter, Rea, Theilbar, Milner, Maton all make the team. I also think Webb makes the team. So is there only 1 spot? At most, 2? Snider, Holloway, Roberts, Brown, Assad, Wicks, Neely, and a few I am sure I am missing, are all fighting for 1 or 2 spots. 

Mooney has Webb and Snider getting the last two bullpen spots. Brown and Assad in Iowa.

[Stratos]

4 hours ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Mooney has Webb and Snider getting the last two bullpen spots. Brown and Assad in Iowa.

Sounds like guys with options like Assad, Brown could get sent down in favor of the other guys in camp without options.

That's fine.  Someone will inevitably get hurt or suck and get released. 

[Geographyhater8888]

13 hours ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Mooney has Webb and Snider getting the last two bullpen spots. Brown and Assad in Iowa.

Is the plan to develop Brown into a starting pitcher/swingman? He has the stuff you want in a late inning reliever. Would that decision be contract based?

Edited February 28 by Geographyhater8888

[Rcal10]

21 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Is the plan to develop Brown into a starting pitcher/swingman? He has the stuff you want in a late inning reliever. Would that decision be contract based?

He does. But if they can add an extra pitch for Brown he also has the potential to be a very solid starting pitcher. That is more valuable. So maybe he does start in Iowa. They have a lot of rotation spots to fill after this season.

[Geographyhater8888]

50 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

He does. But if they can add an extra pitch for Brown he also has the potential to be a very solid starting pitcher. That is more valuable. So maybe he does start in Iowa. They have a lot of rotation spots to fill after this season.

Barring health, I like the idea of Horton, Cabrera, Steele and Wiggins. There’s some risk there but ideally they’ll only need one free agent middle of the rotation guy which are dime of dozen every winter. Gallen is an option. 
I wish the free agent class was more talented on the position side with all the $ coming off the books. 

Edited February 28 by Geographyhater8888

[Rcal10]

5 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Barring health, I like the idea of Horton, Cabrera, Steele and Wiggins. There’s some risk there but ideally they’ll only need one free agent middle of the rotation guy which are dime of dozen every winter. Gallen is an option. 
I wish the free agent class was more talented on the position side with all the $ coming off the books. 

Having Brown, assuming he does develop another pitch, is also a huge plus. Even if all those guys are healthy and performing well, Brown could still be a rotation piece. I think the Cubs are going to work with him until he proves he can’t do it before making him a pen arm. And if he proves he can do it, I would still expect the Cubs to go after a starter next year in free agency. 

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

He does. But if they can add an extra pitch for Brown he also has the potential to be a very solid starting pitcher. That is more valuable. So maybe he does start in Iowa. They have a lot of rotation spots to fill after this season.

Wouldn't be the worst thing for Brown to be able to work on his change and new sinker in Iowa for a bit.  He has lots of potential.

[Jason Ross]

Justin Steele threw a bullpen yesterday and today, was medically cleared by team doctors. 

Sounds like he's officially on the road to a comeback. And with a month to go, I think it's possible (not probable) he could be back in April.

[Radar3454]

28 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Justin Steele threw a bullpen yesterday and today, was medically cleared by team doctors. 

Sounds like he's officially on the road to a comeback. And with a month to go, I think it's possible (not probable) he could be back in April.

He was in the booth for a bit last weekend and said he was doing bullpens twice a week I think around 30 pitches but only fastball in mid 80's and slider. He said he usually would get close to 90 for the last pitch. I don't expect April, but I think May is very possible.

[Jason Ross]

3 minutes ago, Radar3454 said:

He was in the booth for a bit last weekend and said he was doing bullpens twice a week I think around 30 pitches but only fastball in mid 80's and slider. He said he usually would get close to 90 for the last pitch. I don't expect April, but I think May is very possible.

Yeah, like I said, it's possible, but not probable for April. I do suspect they will want some starts in Iowa. 

[Bertz]

Game is not on Marquee but is on MLB.tv

 

[mk49]

Alcantara is finally playing, but DH?  I guess they want to see other OF players.