NEWSLETTER
[adinserter block=”2″]Players continue to work in Mesa, Arizona ahead of tomorrow’s technical reporting date for position players. If there are more than a handful of guys not yet in camp, I couldn’t tell you who they are.
The biggest news of the day is probably that there’s yet another pitcher in camp with the Cubs who could fit in a big league bullpen. It’s lefty Manny Parra, who’s legitimately quite good when healthy, but will still have an uphill climb to make the Cubs’ roster out of Spring Training (through no fault of his own).
He’s already in camp, by the way:
No. 30 Manny Parra already in the house. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/HnuZVGlcqo
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) February 22, 2016
Jon Lester, and the other pitchers (but you were wondering about Lester), practiced pickoffs today, and Jesse Rogers got a couple interesting videos. First, there’s mostly what we saw late last year, with a softer, kinda-errant-but-not-terribly-errant throw:
Lester https://t.co/lnUTJgPoDP
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 22, 2016
But then there was this really interesting angled step and side throw, which would’ve picked off any runner in the league:
Lester. Could be a balk? https://t.co/FKbiHfdSeg
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 22, 2016
Rogers’ question is a good one, and, because pretty much everyone finds the balk rules confusing, I won’t attempt a sure-fire answer. I know you can take the angled step like that, but I’m not sure you’re allowed to also lean toward the plate as you throw like that. Pretty sure that would be called a balk, but I’m not 100%. I do know that it’s a killer looking move, and I can barely believe that was Lester.
[adinserter block=”1″]Also: sometimes the problem for pitchers is that their muscle memory is so engrained for pitching that they have trouble making other types of throws, because their body simply can’t shake the automated response of a pitch – thus, the result is a mixed up output. Having a completely different throwing motion to the bases, then, could possibly be a good approach for Lester.
Regardless, hopefully this won’t be an issue for him again this season – or at least not one we have to talk about all that much. I mean, hey, he did pick a guy off last year off last year!
Anthony Rizzo is making us feel all the emotions:
Rizzo said he misses Starlin already. "I look over at short or second and he's not there." #CubsTalk
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 22, 2016
Rizzo on friend Fowler still being unsigned as FA: “It’s sickening. I love Dex. It’ll work out for him. But it’s unfortunate right now.”
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 22, 2016
Rizzo on David Ross retiring after 2016: "I'm gonna be emotional all year with him. He's my older brother *slash* dad." #CubsTalk
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 22, 2016
Jason Heyward, fit guy:
Maddon said Heyward is in such great shape, "he's qualified to do an Old Spice commercial." #CubsTalk
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 22, 2016
And, naturally, then:
Done and done. @CarrieMuskat @JasonHeyward (photo: @CubsDen) pic.twitter.com/tUkHOEXDlf
— Randall J. Sanders (@RandallJSanders) February 22, 2016
Kyle Schwarber is Da Burger?
Here is who is throwing and catching. Burger is Schwarber! pic.twitter.com/vRVgmts2K1
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 22, 2016
A few of the many great shots John Arguello continues to get at camp:
Soler working on his defense pic.twitter.com/6jKBFKAigy
— John Arguello (@CubsDen) February 22, 2016
Javier Baez played some LF today pic.twitter.com/GBeZ5UxVXn
— John Arguello (@CubsDen) February 22, 2016
Coghlan was everywhere today. So far have seen him in OF, 3B, 2B, and 1B this spring. pic.twitter.com/kDOh9Od7I6
— John Arguello (@CubsDen) February 22, 2016
