CaliforniaRaisin

https://twitter.com/billazbbphotog/status/987161716847816704?s=21

Today at Extended Spring Training: https://www.thecubreporter.com/04182018/cubs-rally-squeeze-past-giant-orange-riverview

Box Scores: Iowa won 7-1 Box Score 2B D. Bote 1/5, R, RBI, 2 K 1B E. Navarro 1/5, R, RBI, K RF M. Zagunis 2/4, R, SB (1) C T. Davis 0/3, BB DH C. Gimenez 1/2, 2 R, RBI, BB, K SP A. Alzolay 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 6-6 GO-FO, 75-50 pitches-strikes - season debut RP R. Rosario 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3-1 GO-FO RP D. Maples 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1-0 GO-FO Tennessee lost 7-2 Box Score SS Z. Short 0/4 CF C. Burks 1/4, K 3B J. Vosler 0/4 RF E. Martinez 1/3, R, HR (1), RBI, BB C I. Rice 1/4; defense - 0/1 CS SP M. Rucker 4.2 IP, 4 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 4-4 GO-FO, 79-49 pitches-strikes Myrtle Beach won 7-1 Box score 2B A. Monasterio 1/4, RBI C J. Pereda 2/4, 2 RBI; defense - 0/3 CS 1B A. Upshaw 1/2, R, HR (2), 3 RBI SS A. Ademan 1/3, R, HBP SP B. Hudson 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 6-3 GO-FO, 91-53 pitches-strikes, balk, 2 E (2, fielding, throw) RP J. Romero 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 0-2 GO-FO South Bend lost 7-1 Box Score 2B J. Bethencourt 0/4, K, E (4, throw) 3B Y. Peguero 1/3, R, HR (1), RBI, 2 BB, E (2, fielding) C M. Amaya 0/3, BB; defense - 0/7 CS CF C. Singleton 0/4, 2 K SS R. Narea 1/3, 2 E (4, throw, throw) SP T. Thomas 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, 7-5 GO-FO, 80-56 pitches-strikes RP M. Rodriguez 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2-1 GO-FO

Oscar needed a start like that.

Fangraphs mock of the top 10: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2018-mlb-mock-draft-v-1-0/

Rough 3-run first for Albertos: Jeter Downs pops out to catcher Miguel Amaya in foul territory. Miles Gordon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brandon Hughes. With Montrell Marshall batting, throwing error by Jose Albertos on the pickoff attempt, Miles Gordon to 2nd. Montrell Marshall strikes out swinging. Stuart Fairchild singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chris Singleton. Miles Gordon scores. With John Sansone batting, wild pitch by Jose Albertos, Stuart Fairchild to 2nd. John Sansone homers (1) on a fly ball to left center field. Stuart Fairchild scores. Michael Beltre grounds out to first baseman Austin Filiere. But he's out there for a second inning today, at least.

Box Scores: Iowa lost 1-0 (10 innings) Box Score 2B D. Bote 0/4, K C C. Gimenez 0/3, BB, 2 K RF M. Zagunis 1/3, BB 1B E. Navarro 1/3, BB 3B T. Davis 1/3, CS (1) SS R. Court 0/4, 4 K SP A. Baldonado 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 0-0 GO-FO, 45-26 pitches-strikes RP R. Zastryzny 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 4-2 GO-FO, 55-34 pitches-strikes RP A. Bass 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-0 GO-FO RP J. Hancock 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 0-0 GO-FO Tennessee won 5-1 Box Score SS Z. Short 1/4, 2B (3), RBI, K 3B J. Vosler 1/3, R, BB, 2 K RF E. Martinez 0/4 DH I. Rice 0/3, R, BB SP O. de la Cruz 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HBP, 6-3 GO-FO, 82-52 pitches-strikes RP J. Stinnett 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1-1 GO-FO Myrtle Beach lost 6-5 Box Score CF DJ Wilson 1/4, BB, 3 K, outfield assist at second base C PJ Higgins 0/4, 3 K, HBP; defense: 0/1 CS 3B W. Galindo 0/5, 2 K, E (3, throw) 12B A. Monasterio 3/3, 2B (3), RBI, BB, 2 SB (3), E (3, fielding) SS A. Ademan 0/3, BB SP T. Miller 6 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 5-3 GO-FO South Bend lost 3-2 Box Score LF R. Caro 2/4, K, SB (1), CS (1), outfield assist at second base - 2018 debut 3B J. Bethencourt 0/4, K 1B A. Filiere 0/3, K, HBP RF B. Hughes 0/4, K CF C. Singleton 0/3 DH Y. Peguero 1/3, R, 3B (1), K SS R. Narea 1/3, RBI SP E. Uelmen 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 6-1 GO-FO, 84-53 pitches-strikes RP B. Clark 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K, 2-1 GO-FO

He had shoulder "fatigue" recently that knocked him out of a few starts and since he's returned, he hasn't been as good as he was before the injury, with his velocity fluctuating. Basically, he isn't meeting the expectations of his pre-injury past and there are too many other good, currently healthy prep arms for him to compete with. Got it, thanks. I kinda like hearing there's a lot of prep arms thought of so highly and hopefully they mostly stay healthy for the next 60 days or so up to the draft so they go early and more college guys/hitters are there for us to take. Also are there any Cease or Giolito type HS guys who we know need TJS that would've been higher if not for it that could fall to us? Seems like the FO, but also the league in general, doesn't seem to overly think it is that big of a deal anymore other than the missed time. We've added Chatwood, Darvish, Morrow and Smyly all in the last year and obviously drafted Cease. I'd think it would be something we'd look at if the opportunity is there. No TJS HS guys yet but Mason Denaburg has biceps tendinitis and has been shut down.

He had shoulder "fatigue" recently that knocked him out of a few starts and since he's returned, he hasn't been as good as he was before the injury, with his velocity fluctuating. Basically, he isn't meeting the expectations of his pre-injury past and there are too many other good, currently healthy prep arms for him to compete with.

Here’s your opening, Tom:

None of these guys are linked to the cubs though Osiel Rodriguez isn’t linked to any teams yet. That said, Gallardo is apparently not expected to get $2 million:

And just an FYI for Tom, Kiley McDaniel is seeing Kumar Rocker tonight so you'll get your share of tweets.

Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen updated their draft board: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/updated-2018-mlb-draft-rankings/ 1. Casey Mize 2. Nick Madrigal 3. Alec Bohm 4. Travis Swaggerty 5. Carter Steward 6. Shane McClanahan 7. Matthew Liberatore 8. Jarred Kelenic 9. Joey Bart 10. Connor Scott 11. Nolan Gorman 12. Kumar Rocker 13. Trevor Larnach 14. Ryan Rolison 15. Brady Singer. Others who have been mentioned here: 18. Cole Winn 19. Ryan Weathers 22. Mike Vasil 23. Grayson Rodriguez 24. Jonathan India 27. Mason Denaburg 31. Ethan Hankins 33. Jordyn Adams 35. Tristan Beck 36. Cole Wilcox 41. Kris Bubic 43. Griffin Conine 48. Triston Casas 52. Gunnar Hoglund Also of note:

Iowa already PPD also.

Box Scores: Iowa PPD - Inclement Weather Tennessee in progress Box Score LF C. Burks 0/3, R, 2 BB, 2 K, CS (1) 3B J. Vosler 0/2, R, RBI, 2 BB, K, HBP RF E. Martinez 1/4, 2B (2), 2 RBI, K DH I. Rice 2/3, R, BB SP T. Hatch 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 9-5 GO-FO, 85-53 pitches-strikes Myrtle Beach in progress Box Score CF DJ Wilson 1/4, 2 K DH PJ Higgins 0/4, K 3B W. Galindo 0/3, 2 K, E (2, throw) LF K. Mitchell 1/1. CS(1) 1B A. Upshaw 0/3, K C J. Perada 1/3 SS A. Ademan 1/3, 2B (2), E (5, throw) SP J. Paulino 6 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 2 WP, 7-4 GO-FO, 89-59 pitches-strikes South Bend in progress Box Score 2B J. Bethencourt 1/4, K 3B Y. Peguero 1/4, SB (3) RF B. Hughes 0/3, BB, K, SB (3) 1B A. Filiere 1/4. 2B (4), 2 K C M. Amaya 0/4, K; defense - CS: 0/3 CF C. Singelton 1/4, R, HR (1), BI, 2 K SS R. Narea 1/4, 2 K SP J. Albertos 2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 2 WP, E (1, pickoff), 3-1 GO-FO, 40-21 pitches-strikes RP R. Lacy 4 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 7-0 GO-FO, 55-33 pitches-strikes

Today: https://www.thecubreporter.com/04172018/cubs-spin-two-hitter-over-rocks-riverview

https://twitter.com/carriemuskat/status/986410625743097856?s=21

I’m not sure he got kicked out of the rotation seeing as this is their first game in 4 days. They had to skip Uelmen turn too.

That's really disappointing, especially on Serrano. Although maybe we will see more promotions from the DSL to the AZL now that there are 2 teams there. It can’t be coincidence that none of the top three Mexican pitchers are yet in the US. I agree with your second sentence - I think we’ll still see at least Serrano in Arizona for the summer.

It’s official: He’d be on normal rest on Thursday.

Arizona Phil's updated Extended Spring Training roster confirms Erling Moreno is down in Arizona rehabbing (specific injury not listed): https://www.thecubreporter.com/04172018/2018-cubs-extended-spring-training-roster#new Also none of the top Mexican pitchers signed in the most recent IFA class (Florencio Serrano, Saul Vazquez and Manuel Espinoza) are in Mesa, though the top two position players are (Luis Verdugo and Reivaj Garcia).

The Houston Astros are in 3rd place. Amongst last year’s division winners, only the Red Sox are in first place.

The Cubs have a sound strategy of hoping the rest of the division drops below .500 and never playing another game.