Thinking About Spring Training Surprises and Other Bullets

Feb 22, 2013

Another intrasquad game is on tap for later today, before the Cubs’ Cactus League schedule kicks off tomorrow.

James Russell is happy to pitch wherever he’s used, but Paul Sullivan says the lefty has closer aspirations. Although it doesn’t seem likely to happen for him any time soon, if Carlos Marmol is traded and Kyuji Fujikawa is injured or ineffective, Russell could get a chance to fill in the role. Long-term, though, Arodys Vizcaino might be the Cubs’ closer of the future, if he comes back healthy but can’t stick in the rotation. For Russell, I’d be plenty content if he could simply continue repeating his 2011/2012 bullpen success. And Spring seems like an appropriate time to remind folks: when Russell came to Spring Training in 2010, not only was he not expected to make the team, he wasn’t really much on the prospect radar, frequently showing up in the “other” section of prospect lists. He was a future middle reliever, at best, and it wasn’t going to be for another couple years even if it did happen. And then he really impressed the coaches and management that Spring, and he’s been a part of the big league team ever since. It’s a reminder that, even though we don’t expect it, someone random like a Zach Putnam could surprise everyone this Spring and claim a bullpen job … and then become a fixture for years.

Or maybe it’ll be non-roster invitee Jensen Lewis, whose odd delivery is noted here. I guess we’ll have to see what he’s talking about this Spring.

Each of Ian Stewart and Josh Vitters are dealing with minor quad injuries. Vitters’ kept him out of yesterday’s game, and Stewart’s forced him from the game early. Neither injury is expected to cause any serious issues, and it’s still not out of the question that they could play in today’s intrasquad game – they’re in the early lineups (though I wouldn’t look for Stewart to ultimately play unless it was literally nothing yesterday).

The Northwest Herald spoke with Scouting and Player Development Chief Jason McLeod, who said that, although nothing is set in stone yet, it looks like both Jorge Soler and Javier Baez will start the year with High-A Daytona. Given that the Cubs had their organizational meetings earlier this week, I suspect it’s as close to stone as it’s going to get.

Dale Sveum on Javier Baez’s performance yesterday at the intrasquad game: “A little shaky today. It’s kind of young stuff that’s still there that has to be cleaned up, obviously. A lot of stuff, even stuff behind the scenes that everyone else doesn’t see that we have to see, some instinctive stuff.”

John Sickels looks at the three guys who could be the “next” Yoenis Cespedes – which is to say, which Cuban prospect could have great success in the bigs – and puts Jorge Soler just a touch ahead of Yasiel Puig and Leonys Martin.

Speaking of Soler, Tim Sheridan of Boys of Spring has more video of that bomb he hit yesterday, which you can see from a different angle. Speaking of Tim, we spoke with him on this week’s episode of the BN Podcast. You should listen to it.

Cubs players on steroid and HGH testing – they’re in favor of it, so every Cub must be clean. Whew.

Patrick Mooney on the efforts to make Welington Castillo into an excellent receiver behind the plate.

Vine Line previews Junior Lake, noting his physical maturity over the last couple years, but the wait for that big, breakout year that matches the physical tools.

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

Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Marlins 3 – April 19, 2024

And just like that the Chicago Cubs are the first team in the NL Central to reach 12 wins! They're not technically in first place yet because the Brewers (11-6) have played fewer games, but we're talking about a matter...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Marlins at Cubs – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: The White Sox Might be the Worst Team Ever, What Games I’m Watching this Weekend, More

Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

FAA Reportedly Investigating How a Passenger on Colorado Rockies Team Flight Was Seen Accessing the Cockpit

If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 19, 2024: Kevin Alcántara is Heating Up!

The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Pre-Gamin’: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat (6:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

The Bulls and Heat go at it for the last spot in the NBA Playoffs. Let's get it. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1781299357574213738 Game Info Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls – 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Chicago Bulls Coby White...

Matt Rooney

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Scottie Pippen’s Youngest Son Will Play at Michigan

A familiar last name will be in the Big Ten next season. Scottie Pippen's kid, Justin, has committed to the University of Michigan, according to Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports. The youngest son of the Chicago Bulls legend, Pippen started...

Elias Schuster

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Marlins 3 – April 19, 2024

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Blue Jays vs. Padres Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

Following a two-homer game in a loss to the Yankees, Daulton Varsho leads the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) into action as -112 favorites against the San Diego Padres (11-10). First pitch from PETCO Park at 9:40 PM ET on Friday,...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Diamondbacks vs. Giants Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

Jung Hoo Lee will look to extend his 10-game hitting streak when the San Francisco Giants (9-11) take on the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-11). The Diamondbacks are listed as -123 favorites on the moneyline for the contest, which starts at 10:15...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

The New York Mets (10-8) will put their four-game win streak to the test when they visit the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9) Friday at 10:10 PM ET on MLB Network. Bookmakers consider the Dodgers to be -201 favorites, while the...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Kings – Friday, April 19, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans face the Sacramento Kings at 9:30 PM ET on Friday, in the NBA Play-In Tournament, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires only one make from Jonas Valančiūnas.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Brandon Ingram Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Kings – Friday, April 19, 2024

Brandon Ingram must make two 3-pointers to beat his prop when the New Orleans Pelicans meet the Sacramento Kings on Friday at 9:30 PM ET, in the NBA Play-In Tournament.Brandon Ingram's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the KingsBrandon Ingram's over/under for...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Thinking About Spring Training Surprises and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular