Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Go Deep Repeatedly, Hamels Gets Knocked, Nico, Happ, More

March 15, 2019, by Brett Taylor Chicago Cubs

I did not catch today’s Cubs/White Sox game, as I opted instead for the minor league games at the back fields (see my Twitter feed for tidbits on that; otherwise I’ll do a prospect roundup at some point).

The Cubs beat the White Sox in a wild one 11-9, homering four times in the process. You saw Albert Almora’s leadoff dinger, but they also got a blast from Wynton Bernard and Jim Adduci, as well as roster-hopeful Mark Zagunis:

Mark Zagunis with a HR to right-center field. Last bench spot with Descalso probably not ready to go for Opening Day? pic.twitter.com/DcHDxsYlDD

— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) March 15, 2019

That’s quite a bit of power shown right there to take that out to right center, even with a little wind assistance. Power is the name of the game with Zagunis: with enough of it, his excellent discipline and barreling ability could make him a plus hitter, even in a corner outfield spot; without enough of it, he’s gonna be one of those .270/.350/.370 guys who is really a borderline bench guy at most. If Daniel Descalso starts the season on the IL, Zagunis is going to have a real chance to make the big league roster.
Cole Hamels got knocked around a bit in his latest tuneup, and he says it was just a matter of not executing a particular pitch:

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I’m looking forward to checking out the video later, because I hear that Dakota Mekkes looked good in his clean inning of work. With lots of injury flux in the bullpen right now, there could easily be a spot to be won by a guy like Mekkes if the Cubs feel he can really contribute.
Ditto Dillon Maples, who also pitched a scoreless inning, and ditto veteran Junichi Tazawa, who also pitched a scoreless inning.
Really interesting comments here regarding Ian Happ, who has wanted to see time at second base this Spring, and played there today:

Maddon, on Ian Happ playing second base: "When I first saw him, whenever that was a couple years ago, I didn't think it was possible. He proved me wrong. It's definitely possible. He's getting better all the time and he really wants to do it. That matters a lot."

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 15, 2019

Like clockwork, Jared Young and Nico Hoerner each had another extra-base hit today. When they see action this Spring, they just make stuff happen:

#Cubs' No. 2 prospect Nico Hoerner has been red-hot at the plate in #SpringTraining. Hoerner is 7-for-11 (.636) after this RBI double against the #WhiteSox. Gameday: https://t.co/aqwPHi00xN pic.twitter.com/r2f7i6IiLU

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 15, 2019