NEWSLETTER
The Cubs fell 5-4 to Joe Maddon’s Angels today, primarily because of a couple tough innings for Adrian Sampson (who didn’t have the best defense behind him). Shrug. Since Sampson is not necessarily out there competing his way into the Opening Day bullpen or rotation anyway, you kinda just want to see him – like the veterans – getting in his work and then being available early in the season as a depth option as necessary.
⇒ Justin Steele got the start, and got in his two innings of work – he was a little wild in the first, but quick and smooth in the second:
Making it look easy, @J_Steele21 🔥
2.0 IP / 2 K / 0 H / 0 R pic.twitter.com/S59jJgcQuO
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 24, 2022
⇒ I enjoyed hearing Steele after his outing talk about how excited he was to face Shohei Ohtani (walk):
Cubs lefty Justin Steele was excited to face Shohei Ohtani (“modern day Babe Ruth”) this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/DgRfigscDZ
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 24, 2022
⇒ Reliever Chris Martin made his Cubs debut, pitching a 1-2-3 inning of groundballs.
⇒ Easily the most fun part of today’s game was getting to see Reggie Preciado and James Triantos get into the action, despite having played COMPLEX ball last year. I mean, Triantos just turned 19 earlier this year, and Preciado is still 18!
⇒ To that end, Preciado still looks like he can fill out quite a bit more – he’s young! – but he had a really nice and disciplined approach up there. However much you can tell from a few plate appearances, I was pleased. He did have an error at shortstop, for what that’s worth.
Reginald Preciado is making his first Spring Training appearance. pic.twitter.com/AONDxVXcQZ
— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) March 24, 2022
⇒ As for Triantos, he went down 0-2 in both of his at bats … and then lined a single up the middle on the next pitch both times:
James Triantos lines a single to left center 👀 #Cubs pic.twitter.com/3ciNT3sdUd
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) March 24, 2022
James Triantos can HIT. pic.twitter.com/sKiLkhIiv0
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 24, 2022
⇒ Andrelton Simmons got in his first action of the spring, showing off some speed that I admit I forgot he had (good to see after a couple years of ankle injuries):
.@Yan_AGomes with the RBI double! pic.twitter.com/7aHBNPcgTq
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 24, 2022
⇒ Manny doesn’t hold anything back:
Manny Rodriguez's first strikeout of the Spring 🔥
(📸: @WatchMarquee) @manrod_77 pic.twitter.com/dzGdIRATLC
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) March 24, 2022
⇒ It was a scoreless 1-2-3 spring debut for Manny Rodriguez.
⇒ Earlier, Bryan wrote that his sense is that Chase Strumpf is just flat out “a third baseman” now, and we’ve seen multiple flashes this spring that makes us think he can really play over there:
What a play from Chase Stumpf! 👀
(📸: @WatchMarquee) @CStrumpf pic.twitter.com/R3P38nCTBG
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) March 24, 2022
⇒ Brennen Davis is a magnet for pitches:
THE SAME AT BAT! STOP! pic.twitter.com/jaclI3dbVm
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) March 24, 2022
⇒ Some of it is flukey in such a young career facing wild young pitchers, but some of it might be game planning that says a guy who can hit it as hard as he can when he gets his arms extended is a guy you should bust up and in as much as you can. It’s the Willson Contreras problem.
⇒ Here’s hoping Frank Schwindel’s back situation continues to improve, but I’m glad to hear that it does seem like it’s more precautionary than scary:
Frank Schwindel (back tightness) said he’s feeling good. Has resumed hitting in the cage. Hopes to be back in a game by Saturday, but “that’s up to them. Just being cautious.”
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 24, 2022
⇒ Old friends:
“David, I know I said I wouldn’t bring Jon into a dirty inning but this was six years ago. Let it go. We won the game and the World Series.” https://t.co/AJBzdNViuV
— Corey Freedman (@corey_cubs) March 24, 2022
⇒ I just like Willson Contreras a lot:
"I think [the @Cubs are] doing a good job finding quality over quantity and they're putting a really good team together."@WContreras40 joined @alannarizzo & @KMillar15 to talk about the upcoming season #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/oBTiQmSFl8
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 24, 2022
