Spring Training Miscellany: Early Arrivals, Drill Videos, Beautiful Mural, More

February 13, 2017, by Brett Taylor Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs pitchers and catchers do not officially report to Spring Training until tomorrow, but, as is usually the case, a whole bunch of guys are already there in Mesa, Arizona.

So … that means it’s time for the first Spring Training Miscellany of the year! It’s officially time for baseball! Like, for real. Woohoo! Well, kinda-sorta-baseball anyway.

Let’s start with some drills:

Stick with it. #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/3bxA8Epalf

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 13, 2017

It’s Spring Training for video, too, but that’s Albert Almora, Kyle Schwarber, and Jon Jay working on their skills. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that each does much better with his actual glove hand (which isn’t all to surprising, but interesting to see). Heck, I’m just happy to see these guys on the field.
Jesse Rogers (ESPN) has some longer footage of those three doing some outfield drills here.

Here are some other shots from today:

Lights, cameras, @kschwarb12 pic.twitter.com/3LVKvhmXce

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 13, 2017

Looks like Kyle Hendricks and Justin Grimm are putting in some early work:

Early birds. #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/CJNNM3iowU

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 13, 2017

And did you happen to catch that awesome last picture? This one:

Now that is a mural if I’ve ever seen one.

The new guy in camp is looking downright terrifying – perfect for ninth inning, right?

New #Cubs closer Wade Davis pic.twitter.com/STR7v4BvpG

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 13, 2017

At the Chicago Tribune, John J. Kim shares an excellent album of shots from today’s unofficial first day of camp. Among the highlights, you’ll see Willson Contreras looking ready to go, Rob Zastryzny sporting some “W” socks, Chris Bosio looking over his boys, and Theo Epstein entering the parking lot like a BOSS.
Also, Jake Arrieta’s beard is back in full bloom. So no worries there.

At the Athletic, Andy Dolan has an early preview of Spring Training with reactions from the first day of camp. Among his notes, we learn that Wade Davis will sport number 71 this season and Almora and Schwarber were among the early arrivers last week.
But they weren’t the only two early guys. According to Carrie Muskat (Cubs.com), Almora and Schwarber (and many others too) were joined today by Mike Montgomery, Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, John Lackey, Kyle Hendricks, Brett Anderson, Hector Rondon, Justin Grimm and Pedro Strop – a day before pitchers and catchers are required to report. Also, Montgomery reportedly doesn’t mind being a starter or a reliever, so long as he’s playing. He’s ready to compete and fight for a spot, but he’ll do whatever’s best for the team. Good man.
Jon Jay looks at this Cubs team and sees guys who are hungry. According to Jay, winning doesn’t cause complacency, it creates an addiction – something that compels players to get there again. Here’s hoping he’s right.
You can see the Cubs upcoming Spring Training Schedule (and purchase tickets) here.
Muskat also has a full rundown of Spring Training, with key dates, a list of new faces, the most interesting non-roster invitees, which prospects to watch and much more. For everything and anything Spring Training related, this is where you’ll want to start.

Jesse Rogers also has some good video, including the “crack of the bat” from Matt Szczur … it’s like music to my ears (He has a lot of other miscellaneous videos and workouts here).
And finally, at CSN Chicago, Patrick Mooney discusses five Cubs under the microscope this Spring, as well as the Cubs’ hope to be at the beginning of a dynasty.
While we’ve got spring baseball on your mind, a request and a recommendation:

With baseball season upon us, I humbly ask (and recommend!) that you follow @flippingbats for lots of baseball fun this year. https://t.co/Oqsn9cl2zW

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) February 14, 2017

Filed to: Chicago Cubs