NEWSLETTER
It’s hard to think about too much beyond the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations, given that the next few hours could irrevocably change this season (and probably many more beyond it). But there are other things to discuss and share, so this will be your lockout-free set of Bullets …
• It’s been quite a journey for Cubs minor league outfielder Donnie Dewees. From second round pick in 2015 to rising prospect in the system to a trade to the Royals for Alec Mills to a trade back to the Cubs to a mixed showing at Triple-A to a pandemic to a torn ACL … mercy. Dewees, now 28, is still with the Cubs on a minor league deal – he’s been spotted at camp this week – and he’s looking to actually play pro ball for the first time since 2019. When he was healthy, Dewees projected as a quality defensive outfielder, a good baserunner, and a good contact bat with occasional power. He had that look of a potentially really solid 4th/5th outfielder type. Will be very interested to see how he looks now recovered.
• This year, Dewees would be competing for outfield starts at Iowa with a relatively crowded group: Brennen Davis, Nelson Velazquez, Greg Deichmann, Narciso Crook, Zach Davis, and potentially guys like Clint Frazier, Michael Hermosillo, Harold Ramirez, Jared Young, and Alfonso Rivas, depending on how various roster/option/waiver/positional situations shake out. Dewees might have to show out in Spring Training to get a job at Iowa, and then getting regular starts might depend on at least some forces outside his control, since B. Davis, Velazquez, and Deichmann are going to be starting almost every day when healthy.
• Speaking of minor league spring training, by the way, Baseball America has confirmed that the Cubs are among the few teams that have, and expect to continue having, full fan access to practice and games at the back fields. So, whatever happens with the lockout, if you were going to be in the area, you’ll still be able to do what is (in my opinion) one of the best parts of Spring Training: go to the far west end of the Cubs’ facility, and enter into the clover of back fields, and enjoy close-up baseball heaven.
• Pretty cool news here as The Show has unveiled its broadcasting duo for the game, including a familiar voice:
Chicago baseball fans will be greeted by familiar voices when they play this year’s release of MLB The Show.
Cubs TV broadcaster @BoogSciambi & former White Sox and radio analyst Chris Singleton are the new play-by-play & color analyst voices in the game: https://t.co/lsm5ipOUnA
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) March 8, 2022
Coach and multiple clones want to let you know about all the updates to commentary in MLB The Show 22. Watch the full video here: https://t.co/hS3r2Tg3Wr #MLBTheShow #OwnTheShow pic.twitter.com/qC7l24dhoF
— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) March 8, 2022
Wooooo pic.twitter.com/UdTY7MEWKS
— Jon Sciambi (@GoGala__Games) March 8, 2022
• Some scouts are apparently calling Druw Jones the best draft prospect since Bryce Harper. Bryan has had Jones atop his board for a while, and it seems like that is going to prove a good call. The Cubs, picking 7th, were never going to have a shot at Jones (or probably the other two top prep hitters who were previously in the conversation as the top prospect in the draft (Elijah Green and Termarr Johnson)). There are plenty of “top-ten-caliber” college bats in this draft, as well as top high school pitcher Dylan Lesko, so it remains the case that the Cubs will be getting a quality prospect at number seven. But it does seem like, in the early going, those top three prep bats have separated themselves (as many thought they might).
• Speaking of those college bats who’ll be considered in the top ten:
Ladies & Gentlemen, @jace17jung can very much play defense too‼️💯#WreckEm | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/3dbMyReSrI
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) March 9, 2022
• Even if MLB had managed to end its lockout yesterday, it might’ve been only the third biggest story in sports on the day, given Aaron Rodgers’ confirmed return to the Packers and the enormous Russell Wilson trade.
• Caesars is now live this morning in Illinois, so make sure you check out our Caesars Sportsbook Illinois promo code.
