theberserkfury
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Let's just cut him now.
Let's just cut him now.
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This is what I said about Rizzo last year. This is what scares me with him.
Studebaker (NJ)
"Consolidation of skills" year for Rizzo this year? His 2013 was seen as a disappointment but there's a lot to like in his profile.
Klaw
(1:55 PM)
Swing regressed last year, hands were lower, more of a grooved path. Has to fix that or this is his ceiling.
Studebaker (NJ)
"Consolidation of skills" year for Rizzo this year? His 2013 was seen as a disappointment but there's a lot to like in his profile.
Klaw
(1:55 PM)
Swing regressed last year, hands were lower, more of a grooved path. Has to fix that or this is his ceiling.
patg006
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But it was ok to gush about how great he was after a freaking batting practice session??
theberserkfury
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Maybe I missed it, but I thought people were mostly just talking about how he has excellent stuff... that can definitely come through in a batting practice session... and seems like something reasonable to be a little excited about (especially since people were unsure of how his stuff would look after all the injuries and whatnot)...
Him having a poor outing in his first game/competitive situation is obviously not good... but come on, man... it doesn't exactly give much reason to negate what people got excited about before...
If he's still pitching like that by the end of spring training, fine... go ahead and rip him/people who want him to succeed...
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Bryant and Almora had nice debuts.
CSF77
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http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cub...ue-five-things-to-watch?ex_cid=espnapi_public
Cactus League: Five things to watch
February, 27, 2014
FEB 27
9:29
AM CT
By Jesse Rogers | ESPNChicago.com
RECOMMEND13TWEET5COMMENTS1EMAILPRINT
MESA, Ariz. -- The Cactus League schedule begins for the Chicago Cubs on Thursday when they play their debut game at new Cubs Park against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Here are five things to keep an eye on during spring games:
Third base: The baseball world is aware of what Luis Valbuena and Donnie Murphy can do at the hot corner and although they did a respectable job there in 2013, there is talent behind them in the form of high-ceiling prospects. Mike Olt, acquired in the deal that sent Matt Garza to Texas last season, says he's seeing the ball well after vision problems plagued him in 2013. Now he has to show that in games. If he takes the job -- and keeps it -- it could have long term ramifications at the position. If not, Murphy and Valbuena will keep the position warm until Kris Bryant or another prospect is ready.
Starting rotation: The usual names need to get ready for the season, possibly none more than Edwin Jackson. Spring results don't mean a lot, but for a pitcher coming off an 8-18 season, any kind of confidence boost can't be a bad thing. How serious is Jake Arrieta's shoulder injury? The rest of the spring will tell that story. If he's unable to pitch then James McDonald and Chris Rusin are next up. Rusin starts Friday and can make an immediate impression on his new manager. And then there is Kyle Hendricks. He's a longshot to make the team, but if he pitches as he did in the intrasquad game on Wednesday, going eight up and eight down, he could open some more eyes.
The outfield: On paper, the Cubs don't exactly have the strongest group heading into the regular season. Junior Lake will get his playing time but could the much-maligned Josh Vitters or Brett Jackson win a job? Without perennial All-Stars making big money out there someone could get pushed down the ladder. Right now Justin Ruggiano and Ryan Sweeney have a beat on starting jobs, but if Jackson or Vitters goes off in spring games, one of them could at least head north with the team. If there is a surprise in camp, it's most likely to come in the outfield. Lake is playing center and Ruggiano is in left for Thursday's opening game. It's still undecided where Lake's long-term future lies although he likes center better.
Second base: Is Darwin Barney on his way out or to the bench or does the late addition of Emilio Bonifacio just add depth? Bonifacio is getting the start ahead of Barney on Thursday but little can be deduced simply from that. Still, Bonifacio has skills the Cubs could use at the top of the order, but Barney has the skills to save runs at second base. One thing is for sure, the Cubs probably won't let Barney be the starter all season if his batting average hovers around .200 as it did last year. A good spring sets the tone but still might not stave off Javier Baez from playing there if he's called up this season.
Starlin Castro: Like Jackson, a rebound season is needed and he says he wants to be "locked in" from the beginning of spring games. It doesn't mean he has to hit .600 in February and March games, but with his newly added muscle and commitment to the game you'd like to see it pay off right away. Why wait until April? Castro never takes it easy once the games begin. He hates days off and so if he's going to play a lot it would be nice to see some production -- or at least an inkling that he's back to the old Castro.
Cactus League: Five things to watch
February, 27, 2014
FEB 27
9:29
AM CT
By Jesse Rogers | ESPNChicago.com
RECOMMEND13TWEET5COMMENTS1EMAILPRINT
MESA, Ariz. -- The Cactus League schedule begins for the Chicago Cubs on Thursday when they play their debut game at new Cubs Park against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Here are five things to keep an eye on during spring games:
Third base: The baseball world is aware of what Luis Valbuena and Donnie Murphy can do at the hot corner and although they did a respectable job there in 2013, there is talent behind them in the form of high-ceiling prospects. Mike Olt, acquired in the deal that sent Matt Garza to Texas last season, says he's seeing the ball well after vision problems plagued him in 2013. Now he has to show that in games. If he takes the job -- and keeps it -- it could have long term ramifications at the position. If not, Murphy and Valbuena will keep the position warm until Kris Bryant or another prospect is ready.
Starting rotation: The usual names need to get ready for the season, possibly none more than Edwin Jackson. Spring results don't mean a lot, but for a pitcher coming off an 8-18 season, any kind of confidence boost can't be a bad thing. How serious is Jake Arrieta's shoulder injury? The rest of the spring will tell that story. If he's unable to pitch then James McDonald and Chris Rusin are next up. Rusin starts Friday and can make an immediate impression on his new manager. And then there is Kyle Hendricks. He's a longshot to make the team, but if he pitches as he did in the intrasquad game on Wednesday, going eight up and eight down, he could open some more eyes.
The outfield: On paper, the Cubs don't exactly have the strongest group heading into the regular season. Junior Lake will get his playing time but could the much-maligned Josh Vitters or Brett Jackson win a job? Without perennial All-Stars making big money out there someone could get pushed down the ladder. Right now Justin Ruggiano and Ryan Sweeney have a beat on starting jobs, but if Jackson or Vitters goes off in spring games, one of them could at least head north with the team. If there is a surprise in camp, it's most likely to come in the outfield. Lake is playing center and Ruggiano is in left for Thursday's opening game. It's still undecided where Lake's long-term future lies although he likes center better.
Second base: Is Darwin Barney on his way out or to the bench or does the late addition of Emilio Bonifacio just add depth? Bonifacio is getting the start ahead of Barney on Thursday but little can be deduced simply from that. Still, Bonifacio has skills the Cubs could use at the top of the order, but Barney has the skills to save runs at second base. One thing is for sure, the Cubs probably won't let Barney be the starter all season if his batting average hovers around .200 as it did last year. A good spring sets the tone but still might not stave off Javier Baez from playing there if he's called up this season.
Starlin Castro: Like Jackson, a rebound season is needed and he says he wants to be "locked in" from the beginning of spring games. It doesn't mean he has to hit .600 in February and March games, but with his newly added muscle and commitment to the game you'd like to see it pay off right away. Why wait until April? Castro never takes it easy once the games begin. He hates days off and so if he's going to play a lot it would be nice to see some production -- or at least an inkling that he's back to the old Castro.
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This is the Cubs lineup for the next three games today and tom.
After an all-day rain on Saturday, it’s a beautiful day Sunday in Mesa, and the Cubs will play host to the Royals at Cubs Park. Here’s the lineup:
Bonifacio CF
Castro SS
Rizzo 1B
Ruggiano LF
Sweeney DH
Castillo C
Schierholtz RF
Murphy 3B
Barney 2B
E. Jackson P
On Monday, the Cubs will play a “B” game against the Giants at Cubs Park in Mesa, starting at 10 a.m. MT. Jason Hammel will start that game. They were originally scheduled to play the Angels, but now will deal with the Giants. Here’s the lineup:
“B” Game vs. Angels
Alcantara 2B
Almora CF
Olt 1B
Bryant 3B
Kottaras C
Soler DH
Vitters LF
Szczur RF
Valdez SS
Hammel P
The rest of the Cubs will face the Brewers in Maryvale on Monday. Eric Jokisch gets the start. Here’s that lineup:
Vs. Brewers
Coghlan LF
Roberts 2B
Valbuena 3B
Lake CF
Baez SS
Cunningham DH
Baker C
Valaika 1B
McDonald RF
Jokisch P
As always, the lineups are subject to change.
A couple of things, I think the first lineup could very easily become our regular lineup without the DH. I think we will see some form of lineup like this. Another thing, I wish Baez would be playing in the second lineup with the rest of the big 4. I guess they have there reasoning for separating them.
After an all-day rain on Saturday, it’s a beautiful day Sunday in Mesa, and the Cubs will play host to the Royals at Cubs Park. Here’s the lineup:
Bonifacio CF
Castro SS
Rizzo 1B
Ruggiano LF
Sweeney DH
Castillo C
Schierholtz RF
Murphy 3B
Barney 2B
E. Jackson P
On Monday, the Cubs will play a “B” game against the Giants at Cubs Park in Mesa, starting at 10 a.m. MT. Jason Hammel will start that game. They were originally scheduled to play the Angels, but now will deal with the Giants. Here’s the lineup:
“B” Game vs. Angels
Alcantara 2B
Almora CF
Olt 1B
Bryant 3B
Kottaras C
Soler DH
Vitters LF
Szczur RF
Valdez SS
Hammel P
The rest of the Cubs will face the Brewers in Maryvale on Monday. Eric Jokisch gets the start. Here’s that lineup:
Vs. Brewers
Coghlan LF
Roberts 2B
Valbuena 3B
Lake CF
Baez SS
Cunningham DH
Baker C
Valaika 1B
McDonald RF
Jokisch P
As always, the lineups are subject to change.
A couple of things, I think the first lineup could very easily become our regular lineup without the DH. I think we will see some form of lineup like this. Another thing, I wish Baez would be playing in the second lineup with the rest of the big 4. I guess they have there reasoning for separating them.
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My favorite teams
[video=youtube;A9XtDyDUjIU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9XtDyDUjIU[/video]
Cubs win! 4-2, Rick Renteria 1st Cactus League win.
Cubs win! 4-2, Rick Renteria 1st Cactus League win.
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[video=youtube;DnVrSZHnvYY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnVrSZHnvYY[/video]
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Is it ok to talk about Baez homerun? Or is because it wasnt off a top 5 pitcher in the league it doesnt matter?
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Can we talk about how before he was breaking windows he was hitting balls onto the high way and was moved to that field that was deemed safer?
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No, anybody can do that! Dont you know that all prospects suck until they dont.
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I remember when Mike Trout was a prospect, such a turd.
chibears55
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But mike trout was a different breed, he wasn't in the cubs organization
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Great baseball talk :clap:
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Just going your route of thinking.
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mike trouts name should never have been brought up in this so called "discussion"
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Most wouldnt like you in this discussion as well, but we dont all get what we want.
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Giancarlo Stanton was a prospect before, did you guys know about that?
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**** me, I didnt. Did you know Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera was a prospect at one time as well?
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bamainatlantaYou wake him up, you keep him up