Spring Training Miscellany: Blowup Innings, Edwards Looks Good, Trout Bombs, More

March 5, 2019, by Brett Taylor Chicago Cubs

A couple blowup innings were the story in this game, as the Cubs lost big:

Final: Angels 9, Cubs 2. #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/IARpHlcWgC

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 5, 2019

No big deal in the final accounting of things, as Kyle Hendricks got his work in at the outset, and otherwise the damage came off of guys who’ll still be working things out in the upper minors when the season opens.

It was nice to get a robust inning of work today from Carl Edwards, Jr. in a televised game. By that I mean, getting to see him with traffic on the bases in various spots, and seeing how he did changing things up from the new hesitation delivery to a slide step (at one point he seemed to forget there was a guy on base, and did the hesitation delivery – whoops, but hey, that’s what Spring Training is for!). What was very nice to see throughout the outing is that Edwards looked very much in command of his pitches. He was comfortable. He just looked like he knew what he was doing, where he was attacking, etc., at all times. He even struck out Tommy La Stella on a rarely-deployed changeup. I’m sure it’s easier to be calm and confident and comfortable in Spring Training, but still, I’m just saying: Edwards looked really confident out there.
The plan is for Pedro Strop and Brad Brach to make their Spring Training debuts tomorrow, by the way (Sun-Times).
Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras continued their torrid spring at the plate, which does not necessarily translate to the regular season, but you are allowed to smile nevertheless. (Each of them sent one long and hard to the opposite field, too, which is nice.)
Shortstop prospect Nico Hoerner got into the action in this one late, pinch running and then bouncing one to the pitcher in his only at bat.
Mike Trout made up for his kickball escapades by crushing one off of Mario Meza, who was the poor dude who had to try to clean up the third inning once Kyle Hendricks reached his pitch limit:

This never gets any less beautiful 😍#LAASpring pic.twitter.com/WMgAuNdxT9

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) March 5, 2019

This one goes away tonight:

🚨 Clutch move! 🚨 MLB Shop just flipped a bunch of different stuff to clearance, and STILL with free shipping: https://t.co/R0Q0oZL5K7 pic.twitter.com/FneaOcdAoG

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) March 5, 2019

More looks from the Respect Bald event:

#ICYMI We cut some hair, shared some smiles, and raised over $44k for an amazing cause #RespectBald.2019 ✂️ Visit https://t.co/3CdgPXSTQG to see what’s next! pic.twitter.com/fbogLcgvws

— Respect 90 Foundation (@Maddonrespect90) March 5, 2019