Big news on the roster front, as MLB is considering a significant expanstion of the 60-man player pools.
The scoop from BA:
MLB is considering adding 15 more players to the 60-man rosters, which would 1) help alt sites come closer to playing actual games and 2) would provide more development time in case there is no AFL. Our @jnorris427 has the story.https://t.co/BhuT53f85a
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) August 14, 2020
Designed to provide roster backfill in the absence of minor leagues, the 60-man player pool was also clearly intended to provide an opportunity for younger players to get in some kind of organized baseball activity during the pandemic. But as we’ve seen, at least with respect to the Cubs, it hasn’t been quite enough space to stage full-on intrasquad games at South Bend, nor does it provide enough room to get in work for all the prospects you’d like to see not miss an entire year. That’s especially true if fall ball doesn’t wind up happening.
For the Cubs, as Bryan points out, it’s not at all hard to come up with 15+ youngsters you’d love to see get into some organized activities for development:
Jensen, Roederer, Thompson, McAvene, Strumpf, Franklin, Short, Rodriguez, Uelmen, Weber, Clarke, Ademan, Giambrone, Verdugo, Rivas.
You’re welcome, Cubs. https://t.co/9Y8whMc4hC
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) August 14, 2020
I’ll add that you might even want to let a guy like top draft pick Ed Howard join the group for the direct work with the coaches, even if he’s much less experienced.