Stephen Bruno is Worth a Look and Other Bullets

Oct 19, 2012

stephen bruno boise scott mcdaniel hawks — Stephen Bruno (Scott McDaniel/Boise Hawks)

The Wife and I are headed on a mini-vacation to Nashville today/this weekend, so I’ll likely be in and out. You should see normal posting, though.

As expected, Bob Brenly is headed to the Diamondbacks’ booth, where he’s been before, and where he was the team’s manager when they won the World Series in 2001. Who knows the precise reason for the move, but hopefully Bob is happy, and has a good experience in Phoenix. He’ll once again have a heck of a play-by-play man by his side, with ESPN’s Steve Berthiaume heading to the booth.

A great piece on Cubs prospect Stephen Bruno, who won the Northwest League’s batting title (he crushed the field) in his professional debut after a successful career at Virginia. The focus is on his versatility, which now includes some time behind the plate (in practice). He is among the most intriguing prospects going into 2013, not necessarily because he is one of the organization’s top prospects, but because it’s difficult to know just how high his ceiling might be. Although he was a college draftee taken in the latter half of the top 10 rounds, the Cubs paid him above slot to get him to sign. His numbers in college were huge, but his stature is not. College hitters, in particular, tend to do well in short season ball right out of school, but Bruno absolutely killed it (of qualifiers, he led the league in average, OBP, and OPS … by more than 50 points!). Bruno played all over defensively, which is both good and bad (versatility is good, but it suggests that he isn’t a quality defender at any one position). He turns 22 next month, so you can expect that he’ll start 2012 at least in High-A Daytona. It’s possible the Cubs could even challenge him all the way up at AA. Like I said – just an intriguing kid to watch in 2013.

Paul Sullivan continues the positional review with a look at the Cubs’ bench. It’s not the most important area on the roster, but, man, it looks grisly.

Doug Padilla looks at center field, and notes that he’s not expecting the position to be addressed this offseason, given the presence of David DeJesus and Tony Campana, with Brett Jackson in the waiting. I mean, I guess he’s assuming right field is going to be the spot explored for upgrade, but, whether it’s DeJesus in center and an addition in right, or vice versa, something needs to change.

And then there were none: the Tribune is the last major Chicago publication to go behind some kind of paywall, which will happen on November 1. They hinted at it when they started requiring folks to sign up for a free account to read certain articles a few months ago. The system is similar to others – a handful of free views per month, after which you have to pay ($15 per month, or free if you get a dead tree subscription) – though some of their content will remain free. It’s kind of hard to tell what exactly remains free and what becomes premium, but I guess we’ll see in a couple weeks. I’m sure I’ll still read, but I’d be lying if I said that the paywalls at the Sun-Times and Daily Herald didn’t negatively impact the amount of time I spent on those sites. That said, I’ll never complain about companies charging for their product – it costs money to investigate and report the news, and I promise you, we don’t want these enterprises going totally out of business. They are important.

The MLBullets at BCB try very hard not to revel in the Yankees’ sweep (but are openly bummed about the Cardinals’ 3-1 NLCS lead).

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

The First Place Cubs, Banking Wins, Taillon Delivers, Morel, Murray, and Other Cubs Bullets

Don't forget, Mother's Day is less than two weeks away (May 12). If you're looking for an easy win, we have a partnership with Gourmet Gift Baskets that should do the trick. Hope that helps. Don't look now, but ......

Michael Cerami

Apr 30, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cade Horton is Reportedly Being Promoted to Triple-A Iowa

THERE it is. It felt like it should be coming for a long time (I couldn't help but discuss it multiple times), and now it's here: top Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Cade Horton is getting the bump to the next...

Brett Taylor

Apr 30, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Brewers Lost on a Rare – But Correct! – Batter Interference Call

You no doubt remember that crazy Game 5 of the 2017 NLDS, with the Cubs rallying to beat the Nationals and then holding on at the end. Freaking awesome game. The Cubs probably shouldn't have won it, though. The part...

Brett Taylor

Apr 30, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Turn a Near No-Hit Loss Into a Thrilling Win

On the heels of a disappointing weekend in Boston, the Chicago Cubs were on the verge of an especially disappointing first night in New York. Mets starter Luis Severino was no-hitting them into the 8th inning. Ugly. But not only...

Brett Taylor

Apr 30, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Mets 1 – April 29, 2024

The Chicago Cubs didn't have a hit until the 8th inning tonight. And they finished the game with just three hits total. BUT ONE OF THOSE HITS WAS A GO-AHEAD ... GAME-WINNING ... TWO-RUN HOME RUN for Christopher Morel off...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Watch Christopher Morel Hit a Ninth-Inning, GAME-WINNING Homer off Edwin Diaz

The Cubs made it seven full innings before recording their first hit of the night tonight in what was looking like their third consecutive brutal loss. But after they pushed a run across the board in the 8th, their luck...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Mets (6:10 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs have still not lost more than two games in a row this season. But that streak is at risk tonight, with Mets starter Luis Severino on the mound for the series opener at Citi...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pitchers Have Moved on to a New Plan of Attack Against Michael Busch (And So Far, It’s Working)

Over his first 19 games (74 PAs), Michael Busch was one of the hottest hitters on the planet: .328/.405/.656 (190 wRC+), including three doubles, six homers, and nine walks. But in the seven games and 29 plate appearances since, he's...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Senzel Blasts Two, Judge’s Slide, Rays City Connect Uniforms, More

When it rains, it pours. Just ask the Marlins. On Sunday, they watched their seven-run lead melt away, thanks to two Nick Senzel home runs (and another hot day at the dish for Jacob Young), as their losing streak moved...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Happy Lee Elia Day! The Managerial Rant to End All Managerial Rants

The Chicago Cubs have, unfortunately, had some bad starts over the years, and late-April is not always a still-hopeful time for the team's fans, as it is this year. Consider the team and the situation back on this day in...

Brett Taylor

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Marlins vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

The Miami Marlins (6-24) are -140 favorites to break their seven-game losing streak when they face the Colorado Rockies (7-21), losers of two in a row. The game begins Tuesday at 6:40 PM ET on BSFL, live from LoanDepot park.Miami's...

Data Skrive

Apr 30, 2024

Picks

Mets vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

The New York Mets will take the field against the Chicago Cubs (18-11) on Tuesday. The game begins at 7:10 PM ET on MLB Network, with the Mets listed as -134 favorites on the moneyline.New York's Sean Manaea gets the...

Data Skrive

Apr 30, 2024

Picks

Blue Jays vs. Royals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

The Toronto Blue Jays (15-15) will look to Justin Turner, who is coming off a two-homer game, to lead them in a matchup with the Kansas City Royals (17-13) Tuesday at 7:07 PM ET on SN1. The Blue Jays are...

Data Skrive

Apr 30, 2024

Picks

Yankees vs. Orioles Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

The Baltimore Orioles (18-10), led by Adley Rutschman on a 10-game hitting streak, will meet the New York Yankees (19-11) Tuesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Yankees are -121 favorites for the matchup, which starts at 6:35 PM...

Data Skrive

Apr 30, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

The San Francisco Giants will take the field against the Boston Red Sox (16-13) on Tuesday. The game begins at 7:10 PM ET on NBCS-BA, with the Giants listed as -130 favorites on the moneyline.Logan Webb gets the starting nod...

Data Skrive

Apr 30, 2024

Picks

Twins vs. White Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – April 30

After winning their past eight games, the Minnesota Twins (15-13) visit the Chicago White Sox (6-23) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday at 7:40 PM ET.The probable pitchers are Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0) for the Twins and Mike Soroka (0-3)...

Data Skrive

Apr 30, 2024

Picks

Brewers vs. Rays Probable Starting Pitchers – April 30

The Milwaukee Brewers (17-11) look to end to a three-game skid as they host the Tampa Bay Rays (14-16) on Tuesday at 7:40 PM ET.The probable starters are Freddy Peralta (2-0) for the Brewers and Tyler Alexander (1-0) for the...

Data Skrive

Apr 30, 2024

Picks

Rangers vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 30

The Texas Rangers (15-14) play on Tuesday at 8:05 PM ET against the Washington Nationals (14-14), who enter the contest with a four-game winning streak.The probable starters are Jon Gray (0-1) for the Rangers and MacKenzie Gore (2-2) for the...

Data Skrive

Apr 30, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Guardians Probable Starting Pitchers – April 30

The Cleveland Guardians (19-9) open a three-game series against the Houston Astros (9-19) with a Tuesday meeting at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is at 8:10 PM ET.The Astros will give the nod to Hunter Brown (0-4, 9.68 ERA), who...

Data Skrive

Apr 30, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Stephen Bruno is Worth a Look and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular