Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Win Again, Chatwood Mixed Bag, Bote HBP, More
The Cubs remain undefeated, winning every single game of 2019 by four runs apiece. Watch out world and such.
Today’s win was sparked by an eight-run second inning as Madison Bumgarner unraveled. He hit David Bote in the head, and could register an out before he was bounced. The Cubs’ 9th run came later on a Johnny “Baseball Player” Field home run.
On the Cubs starting pitching side of things, Tyler Chatwood pitched two innings, yielding a two-run homer. He walked one and hit another batter (on what would have been ball four anyway), so it’s not as if it was a particularly clean two innings. He threw only about half of his pitches for strikes. We don’t have video on Chatwood’s outing, so you can really only listen to the eyes-on stuff:
Chatwood has fallen behind all four guys he's faced, got a quick single and then a 3-6-1 DP to start the game before a five-pitch walk and then a two-run shot to Belt. Delivery seems cleaner though!
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) February 24, 2019
Tyler Chatwood on his spring debut: pic.twitter.com/4WGg0Rpirh
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 24, 2019
- Dillon Maples threw a clean inning with two strikeouts. You are reminded that a Maples who can command his fastball is an elite reliever, with a plus fastball and a plus-plus slider.
- The non-Chatwood damage was given up by Duncan Robinson, who is scheduled to be a starting pitcher in the Iowa Cubs rotation this year. After that, the relievers – facing bench and depth guys on the Giants – were generally solid. Dakota Mekkes struck out two, Allen Webster threw two scoreless innings, and James Norwood threw a scoreless inning (albeit with two hits and a walk).
- Here’s the David Bote hit by pitch and the ensuing walk off the field:
David Bote HBP from earlier today. Hopefully, he's alright. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/vouwD7gZqt
— Inside the Ivy (@InsidetheIvy) February 24, 2019
- Preliminary tests looked good, for what it’s worth, but I’m sure we’ll hear more tomorrow and/or Tuesday.
- Addison Russell made his spring debut, and was not really booed at the Giants’ park, for what it’s worth:
Only two boos in Addison Russell’s 1st AB pic.twitter.com/FMFu1NzuVx
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 24, 2019
- Joe Maddon is working in a fast pitch softball drill for the hitters:
Cubs’ Joe Maddon on fast pitch softball drill: pic.twitter.com/bVg8nSJktS
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 24, 2019
- Notes on a couple arms from yesterday’s game:
Carasiti was 94-95 and De La Cruz was 95-96 today, according to TCR.
I’d bet ODLC returns as a RP, and if he’s pumping 94-98 and curve sharpens, perhaps he can stand out amidst a lot of relief options. He has one important thing (or will): a 40 man spot.https://t.co/SILK7Bpamf
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) February 24, 2019
- Bryant comin’:
