So, I realize spring training stats don't matter much but the cubs are 6-1-2 with 56 runs and and 42 against(+14). Happ in 13 ABs is hitting .385/.429/1.154. La Stella is hitting .308/.357/.462 also in 13 ABs. Rizzo is hitting .364/.417/.727 in 11 ABs. Schwarber is hitting .273/.467/.273 also in 11. Almora is hitting .000/.091/.000 over 10 abs. Gimenez is hitting .400/.500/.400 over 10 abs. Baez is hitting .222/.300/.444 over 9 ABs. Bourjos is hitting .222/.300/.222 over 9 ABs. Russell is hitting .222/.300/.222 over 9 ABs. Heyward is hitting .125/.300/.250 over 8 ABs. Contreras is hitting .429/.429/1.000 over 7 ABs. Bryant is hitting .600/.667/.800 over 5 ABs.
So, in terms of their hitting and players who may potentially make the roster the only one not doing much of anything ATM is Almora though obviously it's only 10 ABs. The next group who's not far off where you'd like to see them is Heyward, Baez, and Russell. The rest of the players look great save for Bourjos who I'm not sure makes the team. In terms of pitching the starters look like this.
Chatwood 3.0 1 hit 1 walk 1 k
Quintana 1.0 3 hits 1 walk 1 ER 1 k
Darvish hasn't pitched
Lester 1.2 1 hit 1 ER 2 walks 3 k's
Hendricks 2.0 1 hit(2 unearned runs on a HR) 0 walks 3 k's
That gives you a grand total of 7.2 IP, 6 hits 4 walks, 8 k's and 2 ER or a 1.31 whip, 9.40 k/9 4.70 bb/9 and a 2.34 ERA. Walk rate is a little high but rest looks pretty damn good. Obviously again small sample and all that vs meaningless competition but you'd rather see them perform well than not. Bullpen looks like this
Morrow hasn't pitched
Rondon hasn't pitched
Cishek - 2.0 1 walk 1 k
Monty - 2.0 2 hits 1 walk 2 k's
Edwards - 2.0 1 hit 2 k's
Wilson - 2.0 1 hit 2 k's
Duensing - 2.0 4 hits 4 ER(2 HRs) 0 walks 5 k's
Grimm - 1.0 1 hit 1 HR/ER 0 walk 1 k
Maples - 3.0 4 hits 4 ER(1 HR) 4 walks 2 k's
Alvarez - 3.0 3 hits 4 ER(1 HR) 4 walks 6 k's
Zastryzny - 4.0 6 hits 2 ER(1 HR) 2 walks 3 k's
The battle for the 8th spot is pretty ugly atm at least among the front runners. Of the guys locked into the roster other than Duensing most have looked pretty good. Of the guys likely on the chopping block Alberto Baldonado has looked good throwing 4 innings giving up 2 hits with 0 ER and 5 k's. Anthony Bass has also looked good throwing 3.0 innings giving up 4 hits and 5 k's with 0 ER. Not sure that's going to be enough to matter but they have shown up Among the depth starters Mills has been good throwing 3.0 innings with 2 walks and 4 k's and 0 ER. Butler has thrown 3.2 innings giving up 2 hits and unearned run with 2 walks and 2 ks. Tseng has thrown 3.2 innings 3 hits 2 ER with 3 walks and 3 k's. Michael Roth has thrown 3.0 innings giving up 2 hits and k'ing 3 guys. De La Cruz has thrown 2.0 innings giving up a walk a hit and 2 k's.
Again not to put too much weight not only into spring training stats but super short sample stats but the general impression so far in ST is the bats are largely looking good. The starters both and depth and MLB ready look good but are still fine tuning. And the bullpen of the guys likely to make the roster seems to be looking good other than as mentioned Duensing though i think in his case the 5 K's are a positive sign. Looks like he just got touched up pretty hard by 2 HRs.
The 8th BP slot is going to be interesting. I get the feeling we're going to see them stand pat and hope someone breaks out. But if that doesn't happen it seems like a fairly likely place they could look to add an arm in july. Not necessarily thinking a big impact closer type but possibly someone to fill a particular role for them. Though if Smyly comes back healthy I think he could be a real impact guy out of the pen.
And just FYI we're like 29% through spring training if you go by number of days that have a game. There's 22 game days left although 5 of those days will be split squad games so there's 27 games left.
