Cubs Live
By: Ryan Melson (@RyanMelson1)
Even though it does not matter if you win or lose spring training games, there is something beautiful about the Cubs winning back-to-back games over the weekend. Here is what you need to know from the weekend. 1) Well, I think Ian Happ wants to play centerfield on a regular basis. In the first game of the spring, Happ looked very comfortable defensively in centerfield. Happ had his second start on Sunday in centerfield and as the team’s leadoff hitter. The results were fantastic again. Happ led off the game with a homerun against Madison Bumgarner, the San Francisco Giants ace pitcher. If Happ continues this over the entire spring, look for him to be the Opening Day centerfielder. 2) On Saturday, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras hit back-to-back homers. Is it just me, or do I feel like this team is going to be hitting a lot of homeruns in 2018? Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Kyle Schwarber are locks to have 30 homerun seasons. Willson Contreras and Ian Happ both have a very good chance at getting close to that 30 homerun mark. Javier Baez is also a candidate to hit 30 homeruns, if he can keep his swing under control. The Cubs could legitimately have at least five 30 homerun players in 2018. Yes, I am drooling. 3) Kyle Schwarber’s off-season transformation has turned him into a gazelle on the base paths. Schwarber had two steals on Sunday. Schwarber also had two hits on Sunday, as he looks to have a banner 2018 season. 4) Javier Baez put on a defensive clinic on Saturday. El Mago is the most electric player to watch (maybe in the entire league). Do yourself a favor and go watch the human highlight reel make another sensational play on Saturday. Oh, Javy also hit a triple. Javy is worth the price of admission by himself. 5) Chris Gimenez has started off fast this spring, driving in three runs in two games. Gimenez is looking to secure the backup catcher role to Willson Contreras. 6) Do not sleep on right handed reliever Luke Farrell. Farrell has a legitimate chance of making the 25 man roster as the eighth reliever. In his spring debut, Farrell went two innings and struck out three batters. Luke is the son of former Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell. If Farrell can put together a solid spring, he may be the favorite to land the last spot in the bullpen. 7) In his first spring outing, Dillon Maples was a little erratic with his command, but at the same time his stuff was electric. Maples may need a little more time in Triple A to work on his command, but his high 90’s fastball and his unhittable slider are ready for the big leagues. 8) Over one and a third innings, Randy Rosario looked solid in his relief appearance on Sunday. The southpaw Rosario is in the mix for the last bullpen slot. 9) Unfortunately, there is no spot on the 25 man roster for Mark Zagunis. Zagunis is already hitting really well so far this spring. While he is major league ready, Zagunis is blocked by a very talented and deep 25 man roster. Zagunis had a brief stint with the Cubs last year, and he will likely be a trade candidate to a team in need of an extra outfielder. 10) Without question, Mike Freeman will hit well in spring training. He has hit well his entire professional career during spring training and Freeman has sizzled at the plate in his first few plate appearances. Freeman gives the Cubs nice organizational depth in the middle infield. 11) Alec Mills, Duane Underwood Jr., and Oscar De La Cruz all had clean innings in their first appearances on Saturday. These three will provide the Cubs with really nice pitching depth in Triple A. 12) The struggles for Jacob Hannemann, the Cubs former third round pick in 2013, have continued so far this spring. Hannemann’s bat has never blossomed into what the Cubs originally thought. Hannemann’s defense is very good and his speed is top notch, but he has never been able to put it together at the plate. For Hannemann’s sake, let’s hope he starts hitting soon.
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Kyle MalzhanFounder who is an aspiring journalist who covers the Chicago Cubs daily. Archives
April 2020
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