We have been asked for years, and now we can finally say it: yes, we also cover the Blackhawks! We’re stoked to add Mario Tirabassi today as our new lead Blackhawks writer, and to provide “BN style” coverage for another major sport in Chicago. And on a personal level, I’m excited to get into the Blackhawks now. It turns out, being immersed in a team daily winds up making you pretty nuts about them (as I’ve learned over the past couple years with the Bears and Bulls).
Thank you for your support over the years, and I hope you dig the new coverage. A reminder that, you can navigate to each of the sports (/cubs, /bears, etc.) if that’s all you want to see!
Meanwhile …
• [UPDATE: Wow, just like that, a few hours later, it’s Boog.] It’s crazy that it’s already been a month since Len Kasper’s surprise departure from the Cubs and Marquee. Here’s hoping interviews have been going on quietly behind the scenes, and we’ll soon learn of Kasper’s replacement (there have been rumors of big names, but Kasper was, himself, not a big name when he was hired 15 years ago – just get a great up-and-comer, and that would be fine). That, and other suggestions from the Trib:
After launching during a pandemic, Marquee Sports Network deserves a second chance to make a first impression.@phil_rosenthal has 10 suggestions, including ditching the guest game analysts and talking about the White Sox.https://t.co/HgtGyAkg10
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) January 4, 2021
• Cubs pitching prospect Manny Rodriguez is built like an absolute tank:
I'm so hungry! Lol pic.twitter.com/rLVbUXr0RM
— manuel rodriguez (@manuelR_77) January 3, 2021
• Recall that Rodriguez, 24, was a semi-surprise addition to the Cubs 40-man roster after his 2019 season at High-A. His stuff had just jumped so much over the year that the Cubs (1) wanted to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, and (2) felt he could contribute in the bigs as soon as 2020 – he has the bullets, so use them. Unfortunately, Rodriguez suffered a biceps injury in Spring Training, and then wound up missing the season. His, uh, biceps look healthy now.
• As for 2021, Rodriguez will compete for a bullpen job in the spring, despite having no upper-level minor league experience. Again, when you’ve got a guy who can approach 100 mph with a wipeout curveball, you let him advance as quickly as his results take him. I also like that Rodriguez, who is listed at 5’11”, gives batters a different look than your traditional power righty reliever who is coming in from a significantly higher release point. The Cubs lately have seemed to dig playing with that aspect of bullpen construction (varying the release heights that batters see), so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cubs would love Rodriguez to show he’s ready at some point in 2021. Also, given the depth you’re going to need in your bullpen this year (so many innings to cover, given that a lot of starters won’t be able to go 150+ innings), having quality pitchers like Rodriguez with minor league options left is going to be huge.
• Oh, and speaking of playing with release points, here’s Bryan on Tyson Miller:
19 pitchers in 2020 had an average release height of below 5.5 feet but an average extension on their pitches above 6.85 feet. Both rates are top 100 of all pitchers in MLB, min 50 pitches. Cubs had one guy. Anyone want to guess who it was?
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) January 3, 2021
The key for Tyson’s MLB viability is going to be missing enough bats, as he has the command. So the Cubs challenge is to use Tyson’s unique traits to maximize his whiff rate. Scott Barlow in KC has done this with a really similar profile to Tyson, which is encouraging.
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) January 3, 2021
• This is a really important role, and I’m glad the Cubs have filled it:
Excited for this new chapter as the strength and conditioning coach for the Chicago Cubs' Dominican Republic Academy! Grateful for all the people and places that helped prepared me for this role, and the experiences yet to come with this amazing performance team and organization. pic.twitter.com/aMliomvnPf
— Zach Auger (@auger_zach) January 3, 2021
• In the DR, the Cubs have built one of the best facilities, and effectively serve as the multi-year transition point for so many future Cubs prospects. Getting those young players out to a good start in their physical training and development is key – start good habits early! – and is the kind of thing you won’t see the fruits from for years. But it matters a lot.
• Happy birthday to a man who is still on the Chicago Cubs as of this moment:
A happy 29th to Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs third baseman! pic.twitter.com/n1oEcq2eNk
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) January 4, 2021