Minor Leaguers Released and a Bunch of Other Stuff and Other Bullets

chicago cubs logoIt’s Spring Break for The Wife, who is utterly despondent that the temperatures are projected to be in the 30s for most of the week. No fun in the sun for her, unless she starts driving South quickly.

  • The Cubs released a host of minor leaguers this week, according to Baseball America: RHP Carlos Gutierrez, C Yaniel Cabezas, C Carlos Escobar, C Neftali Rosario, 1B Kelvin Freeman, 3B Greg Rohan, and SS Brad Zapenas. Gutierrez is probably the best known, having been a former first round pick the Cubs picked up on waivers from the Twins after the 2012 season, but he’s never quite been healthy. Freeman was a big-time power guy from the 2013 draft, but I guess the Cubs figured there wasn’t enough else there. Rohan is versatile with a nice bat, but he’s dealt with some health issues, and I wonder if it was too much to overcome. The real interesting thing, obviously, is the punting of three catchers from a system that doesn’t have a lot of big-timers behind the plate. As Luke recently explained, though, there’s actually a fair bit of intriguing depth at the lower levels of the system, and none of the three guys released had progressed past A-ball (Escobar is the real surprise, though, because there was potential – apparently the Cubs decided it wasn’t going to click for him in the long-term).
  • Starlin Castro could start playing on the defensive side in minor league games soon, per Cubs.com – he’s already batted in a couple games. We’re a week out from Opening Day.
  • Kyuji Fujikawa (Tommy John surgery) threw 45 pitches yesterday, and is getting close to doing live batting practice (Cubs.com). If his progress continues without any setbacks, a return in late May remains a real possibility.
  • A profile on bullpen hopeful Alberto Cabrera. He’s pitched well enough this Spring, and he’s out of options. If the Cubs think there’s anything there at all, he’ll be making the team.
  • Ryan Kalish’s story made it into FanGraphs’ Sunday notes, and, in addition to the discussion of his many surgeries (which could make him the rare exception to the rule that, if a guy is out of the big leagues for three years, he’s probably done), there’s a bit on some mechanical changes he made to his swing.
  • Anthony Rizzo is working on his approach against lefties. It’s just Spring, but it’s been a success so far.
  • An interesting data analysis over at FiveThirtyEight, regarding the age old question: when does Spring performance matter? The short version is that huge Spring number or abysmal Spring numbers do adjust our expectations for a player ever-so-slightly. It’s basically a 17-to-1 correlation in terms of Spring wOBA to regular season wOBA (as in, 17 points of wOBA above a player’s expected/projected wOBA for the season would raise the expectation/projection by 1 point).
  • The Rangers are going to be without second baseman Jurickson Profar for two or three months after he tore a muscle in his shoulder. You can start running down the scenarios in your mind, though I’m not sure the Rangers are going to be too crazy about making another deal with the Cubs any time soon. More on that in a moment.
  • The opening series in Australia, from the perspective of an Australian who has never seen baseball before. Quite funny.
  • Remember that interesting story about the Astros offering prospect George Springer a seven-year contract extension before he even played in the bigs? Well, now that he was sent down to the minors to start the season (instead of starting in the big leagues, as a contract offer suggested he was ready for), there are whispers about a possible grievance being filed. If nothing else, you can be sure that, if Spring tears up AAA and is not called up until just after the projected Super Two deadline, there will be some hard feelings.
  • Your (implied) prospect porn of the day, with the original quote nabbed by AZ Central’s Zach Buchanan:
  • 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

    Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

    The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They've already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Astros 2 – April 23, 2024

    Well there was one big thing not to like about tonight's game - Cody Bellinger was lifted with a right rib contusion after colliding with the outfield wall - and about a million things that were great. And since we...

    Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

    Nothing like a little insurance late. Mike Tauchman, who already hit his first home run of the season earlier in this game, just hit his second home run in the 8th! Another opposite field blast for Tauchman, who's been hitting...

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

    Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb (UPDATE: And Then Did It Again!)

    Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Trash...

    Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

    I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

    Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

    Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

    Pre-Gamin’: Astros at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B...

    Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

    I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

    MLBits: Jared Jones Made Brice Turang Look Ridiculous, Dylan Cease Dazzles at Coors, More

    If you're familiar with me/my writing, you know how much I love good pitching. To that end, Jared Jones has been one of my favorite stories of the young season. And on Monday, he gave us one of the best...

    Latest News

    Guardians vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    After winning their past five games, the Cleveland Guardians (17-6) host the Boston Red Sox (13-11) at Progressive Field on Wednesday at 6:10 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Guardians will send Carlos Carrasco (1-1) to the...

    Seattle Seahawks 3-Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks and Trade Back Options

    Seattle Seahawks 3-Round Mock Draft - With the 16th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, General Manager John Schneider has a crucial decision to make – continue the rebuild by focusing on defense for new head coach Mike Macdonald, or invest in...

    Celtics vs. Heat: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Boston Celtics will play the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.These two teams match up for the second straight game after the Celtics beat the Heat 114-94 on Sunday. Jayson Tatum paced...

    Orioles vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Baltimore Orioles (15-8) visit the Los Angeles Angels (10-14) Wednesday to close out a three-game series. The Orioles are favored (-132) to win the rubber match, which starts at 4:07 PM ET from Angel Stadium of Anaheim.Baltimore's Dean Kremer...

    Giants vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The New York Mets (12-11 look to avoid the sweep when they visit the San Francisco Giants (12-13) in the final game of a three-game set. Oddsmakers have listed the Giants as -130 favorites, while the Mets are +110 underdogs...

    Giants vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    Following a three-game losing streak, the New York Mets (12-11) face off against the San Francisco Giants (12-13) on Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET.The probable starters are Blake Snell (0-3) for the Giants and Sean Manaea (1-1) for the Mets.Giants...

    Orioles vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Baltimore Orioles (15-8) visit the Los Angeles Angels (10-14). The matchup at Angel Stadium of Anaheim begins at 4:07 PM ET on Wednesday.The Orioles will look to Dean Kremer (0-2) versus the Angels and Tyler Anderson (2-2).Orioles vs. Angels...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 24, 2024

    The MLB schedule today, which includes the Boston Red Sox squaring off against the Cleveland Guardians as one of 15 games, should provide some fireworks.One of the most fun ways to wager on baseball is via MLB player prop bets....

    Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks (12-13) are -122 favorites to take Game 3 of th series from the St. Louis Cardinals (10-14) Wednesday at 1:15 PM ET. The teams enter the matchup with the series record tied, and the underdog Cardinals are...

    Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Arizona Diamondbacks (12-13) go on the road at Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals (10-14) at 1:15 PM ET on Wednesday.The probable pitchers are Jordan Montgomery (1-0) for the Diamondbacks and Kyle Gibson (1-2) for the Cardinals.Diamondbacks vs....

    more cubs news