Richan was facing South Bend players but still: Brailyn still hasn’t been stretched out enough and might stay back in Arizona: https://www.thecubreporter.com/03302019/pelicans-pitchers-turn-heat-riverview-park
BA’s 11 hitters who stood out this spring: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/scouting-11-hitters-who-stood-out-this-spring/ 11 pitchers who stood out this spring: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/scouting-11-pitchers-who-stood-out-this-spring/?utm_source=BAPR&utm_medium=email
Arizona Phil breaks down the likely minor league rotations. Tyson Miller is conspicuously absent from the rotation or the injured starting out in Arizona: https://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/262669#comment-262669 Additionally, from yesterday at the backfields: https://www.thecubreporter.com/03292019/cubs-are-real-power-riverview
Chris Singleton, the son of a Charleston AME Church shooting victim, was one of 9 Cubs released today: https://www.thecubreporter.com/03242019/cubs-release-nine-minor-league-camp
BA did their Cubs review of their IFA signings: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-19-international-reviews-chicago-cubs/ The Cubs signed 29 players in calendar year 2018. Ben Badler highlighted the big names: RHP Richard Gallardo - Was 89-93 when he signed but ticked up to 95 at Dominican instructional league. Had nice words for his 3rd pitch, the change. OF Jose Lopez - Shows sound grasp of the strike zone. Still has the big hitch and arm bar but his quick hands and bat speed makes up for it now. SS Rafael Morel - Good bat speed, fast-twitch player/good raw athlete (sounds like Chris...and apparently their dad was a former pro basketball player) LHP Joel Machado - Topping out at 89 OF Yohendrick Pinango - Also a good eye for the strike zone with a patient approach SS Pedro Martinez - Signed in last year's class for low 6-figures. Played in the DSL last year. C Pablo Aliendo, Venezuela - Signed last May so class of 17-18 too. Played in the DSL last year.
Arizona Phil predicts the outfielders at all four levels: https://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/262547#comment-262547 The catchers: https://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/262548#comment-262548 And the infielders: https://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/262549#comment-262549 He also doesn't think Davis and Roederer will make full season ball. Morel is also a long shot for South Bend, sadly. At least he thinks Hoerner will start at AA.
https://www.thecubreporter.com/03192019/lester-goes-six-backfields-and-ademan-belts-solo-hr Ademan went 2/3 with a homer and a single. Amaya went 1/2 with a double and a HBP.
Yesterday in the backfields: https://www.thecubreporter.com/03172019/cubs-spend-saturday-fitch-park Andy Weber continues his big spring, and is giving himself a chance to start the year at Myrtle Beach. The most recent big league camp cuts triggered more minor league re-assignments. The most notable, per Arizona Phil: Keegan Thompson back to Tennessee, Bryan Hudson & Erich Uelman to Myrtle Beach and Alexander Guerra to South Bend. Also, Adbert Alzolay moves to the rehab throwing program.
Notes from Cubs camp on: Brennen Davis’ revamped swing and added muscle Nico Hoerner Miguel Amaya Brailyn Márquez Cole Roederer Christopher Morel Luis Verdugo Reivaj Garcia Jonathan Perlaza Riley Thompson Fernando Kelli