Spring Training Miscellany: Constructing a Roster, Bellinger Confidence, Seiya Blasts, Smyly’s Revenge, Dex Stops By, More

Feb 23, 2023

Today manager David Ross announced his first two pitchers of the spring, with Marcus Stroman and Adrian Sampson going back-to-back for the opener on Saturday against the Giants. You know it’s getting really close …

Speaking of Ross, I liked this quote from him over at the Sun-Times, talking about the depth you need to win, and how “making the team” out of Spring Training – or not – doesn’t mean it’s over by any stretch:

“You try to look at setting the team up for long-term success and the player up for long-term success. Obviously, roster construction, and option [years], and all those things matter in how the end result plays out. But what I know about winning baseball is it takes more than the 26 guys that break camp. It takes 30,40, 50 guys to have success.”

Cody Bellinger took Drew Smyly way deep in live BP today, and David Ross talked about the confidence boost you get from seeing your offseason work show up in batting practice (even if it’s only batting practice):

David Ross on the Cubs workout at Sloan Park today, including Cody Bellinger’s opposite field homer off lefty Drew Smyly #Cubs pic.twitter.com/UXBBGeaSLa— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) February 23, 2023

Nice to hear that Bellinger’s teammates were also watching his BP and celebrating the line drives with him.

As for Smyly, I guess he took out his Bellinger-induced rage on Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki:

Smyly got some revenge on Swanson and Happ with back-to-back Ks #Cubs pic.twitter.com/uPSgPdrfly
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) February 23, 2023

Drew Smyly throwing live BP at Sloan today. Saw some hard contact, including a line-drive homer from Bellinger just left of center, against what I believe was his cutter. Got Seiya in this video on his curve. pic.twitter.com/3FCu7415EI— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) February 23, 2023

Needed one more potato chip:

Hosmer sends a live BP pitch to deep left-center. When it hit the top of the wall, someone quipped: “Belli robbed it.” pic.twitter.com/NniJ6PAbyN— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 23, 2023

More video on the Bellinger homer, and then two MONSTER shots from Seiya Suzuki:

Some cubs live BP and regular BP highlights from today. Cody Bellinger goes deep off Drew Smyly. Seiya Suzuki goes yard. #cubs #SpringTraining2023 @WGNTV @Josh_Frydman pic.twitter.com/VBkxJIsWH1— Steve Scheuer (@Scheuer_Thing) February 23, 2023

0-2 pop out to second base:

Rowan Wick vs Seiya Suzuki pic.twitter.com/1jlPsD2y75
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) February 23, 2023

I think this must’ve specifically been a scoop drill, because otherwise why wouldn’t you just stretch and catch this one in the air:

Trey Mancini picks are in mid-season form. #Cubs @WatchMarquee pic.twitter.com/DnuTtezpzm
— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) February 23, 2023

GET AWAY FROM ME, I HAVE GAS:

#Cubs practicing infield pop-up drills. Coaching staff really emphasizing LOUD call offs pic.twitter.com/ORiHXCrKow
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) February 23, 2023

A good old friend stopped by camp today:

Dexter Fowler and Cody Bellinger here at Sloan Park. @WatchMarquee pic.twitter.com/WEmSRUdBsV
— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) February 23, 2023

Dexter Fowler and David Ross catch up during today’s morning workout. pic.twitter.com/XswQNZJzec
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 23, 2023

Brothers gotta hug! pic.twitter.com/5cBVZIigfw
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 23, 2023

And old friend Miguel Montero is doing work for the Diamondbacks on a fun little bike:

Wow the Fast & Furious franchise really has jumped the shark these days. 😂 pic.twitter.com/CKc5em7H8l
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) February 23, 2023

Loads more visuals from Cubs camp today:

A few shots from Thursday's workout…

Brad Boxberger throwing live, prospect Matt Mervis heads in, Christopher Morel has a laugh, and Rowan Wick throwing live. pic.twitter.com/MeBLx5oyjP— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 23, 2023

Slingin' it. pic.twitter.com/69jLEl4M5i
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 23, 2023

Eric Hosmer hitting some ropes #Cubs pic.twitter.com/zoZWuGQl9J
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) February 23, 2023

Picture day! 🤳 pic.twitter.com/SUaaV9gCDs
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 23, 2023

😄 pic.twitter.com/2fKzovp3vp
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 23, 2023

Watched @Cubs pitcher Manuel Rodriguez throwing a bullpen on Wednesday. #Cubs #CubsProspects #ST2023 pic.twitter.com/oykgSeO019
— Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) February 23, 2023

The @Cubs acquired @TonyBuckets18 via waivers from the Blue Jays during the off season. He could be another lefty weapon out of the bullpen. #Cubs #ST2023 pic.twitter.com/4Iy80eISTf— Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) February 23, 2023

Cubs pitcher @Jeremiah13Estra moved from High-A all the way to MLB last year. He will be competing for the MLB bullpen in ST this year! #Cubs #CubsProspects #ST2023 pic.twitter.com/bz1Edj2zWj— Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) February 23, 2023

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

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