Bunt Tournament Details! and Other Bullets

cubs bunt tournamentHow many extra innings is the equivalent of a 5OT basketball game like that Notre Dame – Louisville game yesterday? It’s gotta be over 20, right?

  • Spring Training is technically just a few hours old, and we’ve already got some magical news. In the second annual Spring Training Bunting Tournament, which will kick off after positional players report, manager Dale Sveum realized he had a problem with just 63 participants in the field. Who would fill that 64th spot? Well, he nailed the decision: it’s going to be someone from the front office. They’ll compete to be the 64th man, and Theo and Jed will face each other in the first round of that sub-competition. I can’t tell you how excited I am that they are embracing the divine ridiculousness of the bunt tournament – hopefully the media covers it as assiduously as they did last year. Still no TV coverage, though, I’d imagine. Last year’s winner – David DeJesus – went on to attempt three bunts in 2012, all sacrifices, and only two were successful. BUNT TOURNAMENT!*
  • In that same round-up piece from Carrie Muskat, we learn that Kyuji Fujikawa isn’t looking to steal the closer’s role from Carlos Marmol, but he does want to “get outs” and make the closer decision tough on the Cubs. We also learn that the Cubs will hold their organizational meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday, so, among other things, we may start getting word on where various prospects will begin the season.
  • Cubs Scouting and Development Chief Jason McLeod was on MLBN Radio with Mike Ferrin and Jim Duquette (an appearance that was helpfully transcribed by the CCO), and shared some interesting thoughts: (1) the fact that Jorge Soler hit so well against live pitching last year after not having played regularly for almost a year is extremely impressive (I got the “don’t sleep on Jorge” feeling from the response); (2) Jason sees no reason why Javier Baez can’t play shortstop at the big league level, which surprised him, based on what he thought coming into last season; (3) it seems pretty clear that the Cubs view Junior Lake as a super utility player if he’s going to make the bigs at all – he’s going to play all over this year; (4) adding to that, though, Jason said Lake’s “primary” position would probably be third base … what happens to Josh Vitters?; and (5) the changes to Brett Jackson’s swing have been positive, but now the Cubs have to see how he can transition that into live batting practice and Spring Training games.
  • Patrick Mooney looks at the the five big picture questions facing the Cubs as they enter Spring Training, including a heavy focus on the health risks – mostly among the arms. He rightly points out, though, that if Anthony Rizzo or Starlin Castro should go down with a freak injury, well, the season could be toast before it begins (assuming it isn’t already).
  • Paul Sullivan ups the ante with six questions, one of which is the pervasive: seriously, who is getting dropped to make room on the 40-man for Scott Hairston already?
  • A reader sent to BCB a video of Dan Vogelbach taking batting practice out on Mesa, and those reports of him losing a significant amount of weight? Yeah, I’d say the proof is in the (lack of) pudding. Check out the video at the top of this post. The young man looks great.
  • *You might have trouble discerning whether I’m being sarcastic. I’m not. Sure, I think the tournament is absurd, but in a good way. It’s like those hamburgers where you use a Krispy Kreme donut as the bun. That’s ridiculous and silly and stupid. But it’s awesome.

    written by

    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

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Cardinals 1 – June 15, 2024

    Although it looked like the Cubs were about to follow The Script once again today, they finally made some critical edits. They did get the great starting pitching performance that has frequently been available to them, with Shōta Imanaga pitching...

    Cubs Roster Move: Wicks to the IL, Thompson to the Bullpen

    As expected, lefty Jordan Wicks goes back on the Injured List today, this time with an oblique issue. It has to be frustrating for him to only have just returned from the forearm strain, and then go right back on...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cardinals at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs are now a season-low four games under .500 and a season-high 7.5 games out of first place. And it's mid-June. If the turnaround doesn't happen soon, it's probably not going to happen at all. But...

    Wicks Becomes Hendricks, Roberts and Roster Decisions, Wisdom Versus the Wind, and Other Cubs Bullets

    The Cubs should just start cheating at this point. I'm not 100% on the how, but just figure it out. Craig Counsell says Jordan Wicks will get imaging on his oblique today and is likely to be placed on the...

    Moises Ballesteros Hit For The Cycle!

    Starting the day with something positive, since so much of what else is going on is ... not. Chicago Cubs prospect Moises Ballesteros, for whom you could make a strong argument as the best hitting prospect in the org, had...

    Tennessee Walking Off At the Men’s College World Series Was Incredible! (I was there!)

    I mentioned earlier this week in my Blackhawks bullets that my middle son's travel baseball team is playing in the enormous "Slumpbuster" tournament in/around Omaha this week/weekend and we made a stop to see the beautiful Charles Schwab Field, the...

    Watch A Minor-League Sammy Sosa Hit an Inside the Park Homer Because You Deserve It

    Take it from someone who writes far too many words about the Chicago Bulls – sometimes you need to look into the past to feel any sort of happiness. As the Chicago Cubs continue their remarkably frustrating play, a clip...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cardinals 3, Cubs 0 – June 14, 2024

    The Cubs lost their starting pitcher, barely even threatened to score, wasted a brilliant bullpen day, and lost the game. It's not quite the same 'ole story, but it might as well be. Jordan Wicks injured his oblique in the...

    Jordan Wicks Just Had to Leave with the Athletic Trainer (UPDATE)

    Just two appearances into his return from the Injured List (forearm), and having just taken over the rotation spot vacated by Ben Brown (neck stress reaction), something's not right with Jordan Wicks. And he had to leave today's game after...

    Cubs Farm Report | June 14, 2024: A Day to Forget, Wiggins Solid Again, More

    Cubs Prospects — It was a day to forget for the Cubs affiliates as there wasn't a victory in the lot. Cubs Farm Report | June 14, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs Prospects The Iowa Cubs lost to the Columbus Clippers...

    Latest News

    Pirates vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, June 16, 2024

    The Colorado Rockies (25-45) and Hunter Goodman, coming off a four-hit game, are underdogs (+145) on the moneyline and will look to upset the Pittsburgh Pirates (33-37) on Sunday at 3:10 PM ET on COLR.Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes and Colorado's Dakota...

    Mariners vs. Rangers Probable Starting Pitchers – June 16

    The Seattle Mariners (42-31) take on the Texas Rangers (33-37) on Sunday at T-Mobile Park at 4:10 PM ET.The probable starters are Logan Gilbert (3-4) for the Mariners and Dane Dunning (4-5) for the Rangers.Mariners vs. Rangers Pitcher Matchup and...

    Giants vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – June 16

    The Los Angeles Angels (28-42) and the San Francisco Giants (34-37) face off at Oracle Park on Sunday at 4:05 PM ET.The probable starters are Kyle Harrison (4-3) for the Giants and Ben Joyce for the Angels.Giants vs. Angels Pitcher...

    Diamondbacks vs. White Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – June 16

    The Chicago White Sox (19-53) play on Sunday in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks (34-37). First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Diamondbacks will give the nod to Jordan Montgomery (4-4, 6.23 ERA), who is eyeing win No. 5 on...

    Dodgers vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – June 16

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (43-29) host the Kansas City Royals (41-31) for a home game at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Dodgers will call on Tyler Glasnow (6-5) versus the Royals and Brady Singer...

    Pirates vs. Rockies: Injury Report, Updates & Probable Starters – June 16

    On Sunday, the Colorado Rockies (25-45) are hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates (33-37), at 3:10 PM ET, in the final game of a three-game set.Curious about who's in and who's out for the Pirates and the Rockies? Read on to see...

    Diamondbacks vs. White Sox: Injury Report, Updates & Probable Starters – June 16

    The Chicago White Sox (19-53) and Arizona Diamondbacks (34-37) will meet on Sunday at Chase Field, starting at 4:10 PM ET.Hoping to find out who's playing for the Diamondbacks and the White Sox? Continue scrolling for complete injury reports for...

    Dodgers vs. Royals: Injury Report, Updates & Probable Starters – June 16

    In the final game of a three-game set at Dodger Stadium, the Kansas City Royals (41-31) play the Los Angeles Dodgers (43-29), Sunday at 4:10 PM ET.Hoping to find out who's playing for the Dodgers and the Royals? Continue reading...

    Nationals vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, June 16, 2024

    The Washington Nationals (34-36) and Miami Marlins (23-47) meet Sunday at Nationals Park, with first pitch at 1:35 PM ET on BSFL. The Nationals are -120 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Marlins are favored against the spread of...

    Brewers vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, June 16, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers (41-29) host the Cincinnati Reds (34-36) Sunday to close out a three-game series. The Brewers are favored (-134) to win the rubber match, which starts at 2:10 PM ET from American Family Field.Milwaukee's Colin Rea and Cincinnati's...

    more cubs news