Spring training is just three weeks away -- Cubs pitchers and catchers will report on Feb. 18 -- and on Monday, the Cubs issued 21 non-roster invitations to spring training. Some of these have been posted here at BCB before, including Rodrigo Lopez, Matt Tolbert, Bobby Scales and Trever Miller, who was just issued the invitation today.
Here's the complete list:
Nine pitchers: righthanders Marco Carrillo, Manuel Corpas, Jay Jackson, Rodrigo Lopez, Trey McNutt, Blake Parker and Dae-Eun Rhee and lefthanders Trever Miller and Chris Rusin
Three catchers: Michael Brenly, Jason Jaramillo and Blake Lalli
Five infielders: Alfredo Amezaga, Edgar Gonzalez, Jonathan Mota, Bobby Scales and Matt Tolbert
Four outfielders: James Adduci, Jae-Hoon Ha, Brett Jackson and Joe Mather
Realistically, most of these players have very little chance of making the 25-man roster; most of them are in camp to provide players to spell the starters after the early innings of the first games of spring training, as well as to start split-squad games. Some of them will wind up filling out the roster at Iowa and be injury protection.
It will be worth watching Brett Jackson's performance in particular, as he is the best prospect on the list.
0 recs | 99 comments
Hmm, watch out for Bobby Scales.
If this roster doesn’t improve much, they might have use for an inexpensive super utility player with a little major league experience. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha……….
N Oakley - January 30, 2012
Evidently, Scales Still Wants to Play
I can’t fault him for that. Scales must love to play baseball, whether it’s in Japan or Des Moines. I’ve got to think that the Cubs have come to him in recent years and offered him a coaching job somewhere in the organization. That’s what I would think anyway. I hope Scales becomes a permanent part of the organization at some level as a coach.
memphiscub - January 30, 2012
I agree with this. I think he’ll make a good coach and manager. But he needs to stop playing.
Al Yellon - January 30, 2012
Why??
Is this another one of your grudges?? Keep playing Bobby you’re only 34.
Hammer - January 30, 2012
Scales just isn't very good.
I’m sure he’s a great guy and will make a great coach. But his playing days are pretty much done.
Al Yellon - January 30, 2012
Ill wager he has major league ABs this year
Hammer - January 30, 2012
Interesting Proposition
I’ll say that you’re right. I think he’ll get another cup of coffee in the bigs.
memphiscub - January 30, 2012
I would think you would win that wager
Madison Cub Fan - January 30, 2012
I doubt it.
I think there are enough guys Theo would like to take a look at that are already on the 40 man. Too many trades/injuries would have to happen, but I could be wrong.
timh815 - January 30, 2012
I. DON'T. FREAKING. GET. YOU.
Getting to play professional baseball is literally a dream come true for every single one of the guys who get to play it. The ones who don’t get any sort of real ML career try and hold on to that dream for as long as their bodies, desire and their usefulness to pro teams will allow them to. Bobby Scales isn’t going to ever be a starting player on a ML Team, but they guy has every right in the world to keep trying as long as there is a team willing to give him a shot.
You get all romantic about some aspects of baseball, and they you pull these cheap one-night stands about others. I don’t begrudge a single person from following their dream to whatever extent they want.
santoswoodenlegs - January 30, 2012
I agree that it a persons right to play as long as they want
But I am lost on the cheap one night stands?
Madison Cub Fan - January 30, 2012
Let me rephrase that
before someone tries to explain what a one night stand is LOL
I see your point about people wanting to play and that Al gets all starry eyed on some things but rants on others. But what does that and a one night stand have in common.
Madison Cub Fan - January 30, 2012
...
ro·mance : A mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful: “Kerry Wood, ‘Kid K’, Is Home With The Cubs!!!!!”
cheap-one-night stand : “UHHHNNNNGGGG…OK you’re done…leave.”
santoswoodenlegs - January 30, 2012
**giggling *
I now understand
Madison Cub Fan - January 30, 2012
"UHHHNNNNGGGGG"
Also the sound made, in agony, by Cubs fans after Ryan Theriot committed a TOOTBLAN.
Ross - January 30, 2012
You have that wrong. When Theriot TOOTBLAN's it's UHHHGGGG!
There’s no N in it. By putting the N in there it makes it…
ubercubsfan - January 30, 2012
Scales
I understand why the guy’s still playing. Scales loves the game. If I’m reading Al right, Al believes as I do that it would be better for Scales’s career in baseball, if he began coaching now to get experience because he won’t stick in the big leagues as a player. The point being that he has a higher ceiling as a coach than as a player. It’s not my place to tell Scales to quit playing. I just think he would be better off at this point coaching.
memphiscub - January 30, 2012
Player-Coach Option?
Scales is never going to stick in the majors as a player, but he still wants to play. I’m wondering if it would be totally out of the question for Scales to be a player-coach at Iowa. That way, he could still play some and get coaching experience. The main problem with that would be that AAA is a very high level of baseball, in which to begin coaching. Well, anyway, that’s just a far-fetched idea I had.
memphiscub - January 30, 2012
didn't rocco baldelli have a similar gig a few years ago for the rays?
jesus christos - January 30, 2012
It is basically what he is going to do.
Just without the title. He will mentor Barney and Castro during the spring and then be the utility infielder at Iowa.
jpeters407 - January 30, 2012
Bobby Scales is the EXACT reason baseball is the best sport.
Football, basketball, hockey, you wouldn’t see guys like this. Too old, not good enough.
But baseball, baseball feasts on guys like Scales. Wikipedia tells me his wife is a PhD, he’s been the POY thanks to his community service, and substitute teaches. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! I think Moonlight Graham sums up Bobby Scales the best:
Dan
dtpollitt - January 30, 2012
Sorry, Bobby Scales is washed up, wait...he was never even good enough to be called "washed up"...he should just quit and be a coach in AA.
santoswoodenlegs - January 30, 2012
true
jesus christos - January 30, 2012
Yep
Easy Ed - January 30, 2012
I disagree
about hockey players being too old and not good enough. There are those still in the NHL who are damn good and these are guys in their mid to late 30s and early 40s. I take it you don’t follow hockey or don’t like the sport.
As far as football & basketball, I can’t respond since I rarely follow those sports and don’t particularly like them.
Swoosie - January 30, 2012
I'm from Minnesota and know nothing of hockey.
dtpollitt - January 31, 2012
hockey
players play into their 40’s. not just baseball sir.
RIP Slim - January 31, 2012 via Android app
One of the all-time great script lines in a baseball movie. I get goosebumps
just reading it again. For those of us who love the game, I mean really LOVE the game, there is no better description of what it feels like to play it. Burt Lancaster was the perfect actor to deliver the monologue and he did it proud.
willie mays hayes' gloves - January 31, 2012
Errr
You may want to look up Mike Modano, Chris Chelios, Dominik Hasek, Brett Hull, Jaromir Jagr,, Niklas Lidstrum, John Madden and Sean O’Donnell for starters in Hockey. Baseball does have that type of monopoly either in Star Players or depth players.
Toews-makes-funny-faces - January 31, 2012
Everyone flipping out on him is missing his point entirely, IMO.
You’re naming a lot of all-stars and very good role players that played into a late age – that isn’t his point at all. His point is guys that were NEVER good enough to get to the main stage are still able to stick around until late in their playing careers and find roles on a AAA team. There aren’t a lot of developmental hockey leagues that would look at a 35 year old that has never played in the NHL for a potential invite to a team.
EVERY sport has guys that play very late in their careers… at the highest level. That isn’t the point here at all.
bdlugz - February 1, 2012
You mean like Stave Maltais, Wendell Young and Rob Brown with the Wolves several years back?
They all made occasionals spurts into the NHL late in their careers, but where mainly IHL/AHL players for most of their career. Many, many examples like this DO exist even today (Rusty Olesz).
Toews-makes-funny-faces - February 1, 2012
Many of my students in 5th and 6th grade also have difficulty moving on from an irrelevant point, only to miss the big picture.
I understand.
dtpollitt - February 1, 2012
I'm sure your high horse has a pleasant view too,
I get the point, but disagree. Baseball does not have a monopoly of the romantic idea of a player giving all they can just to stay in the game. Many many players abound in BOTH the MLB and NHL fall into this category that you describe, it is NOT exclusive to the MLB, which is my point that I see you fail to grasp.
I love it when guys give all they have to stay in and play the game for nothing more then they love to play it, these type of players are usually my favorites because they play FOR the game.
Look, I have no issue with Scales giving it a shot, I hope he succeeds and if not signed by the Cubs some other team gives him a chance. But to think Baseball is the only sport that has this happen year in and year out is totally wrong. I follow both the MLB and NHL with passion, and I will tell you both have a fair claim on this aspect, having players do all it takes to simply play the game because it is what they love to do, even if it is only at the journeyman level, because to them being on the diamond or on the ice, is more important than the dollars that go with it.
Toews-makes-funny-faces - February 1, 2012
Alright, you're right. Feel better?
This is a baseball blog, and I don’t give a shit about hockey. I literally care 0% about the words you typed.
dtpollitt - February 1, 2012
Care 0%,
Yet , felt compelled to respond. Right……………
Toews-makes-funny-faces - February 1, 2012
Oh Gawd...you caught Dan.
You win +500 Hockey Points (equal to 7 actual points)
santoswoodenlegs - February 1, 2012
Things I Like More Than Hockey
—Jar Jar Binks
—Ke$ha
—Dr. Oz
—That one ‘NSYNC song that wasn’t actually that bad
—The BCS
dtpollitt - February 1, 2012
...
—Ryan Theriot
—Boba Tea
—Hardcore Music
—The Smurfs Movie
—Jim Hendry
santoswoodenlegs - February 1, 2012
Yippie for you!
Was not here to try to ruffle feathers, but that seems to be a miserable failure as well as sarcasm. Sorry for the intrusion, I came here to start looking forward to Spring Training starting here soon and saw something that caught my attention (I felt was wrong, sorry for expressing my opinion, guess that is frowned on here as is liking two sports). Note sarcasm is implied!
Anyways, I am looking forward to the start of the season, especially after last season. I visited here on occasion last season, and hope to be here more often this season (seriously). I get to follow the Cubs less and less here on the East Coast, and BCB seems to be a good place to get more in depth background I can’t get out here. Winter time I am in Hawks mode, Summer time Cubs mode. Not trying to troll, just put up an opinion countering another I disagreed with and could fight. Did not want to come here blathering all sorts of crap about the Cubs when I am well out of the loop and could not back up J or S.
Toews-makes-funny-faces - February 1, 2012
I don't know whether it's relevant
but this page is at least interesting. It’s a list of the 300-some players who tallied exactly 1 game played over the course of their NHL “careers.”
I flicked through the first 30 or so and saw just a handful of guys (like Ken Block, Darren Boyko, and Stephane Brochu) that had played regularly over a 15-20 year minor league career.
CJK - February 1, 2012
I'm sure
MLB has a longer richer tradition then the NHL as well as a longer and deeper system from the amount of teams playing, Roster size to the amount of minor leagues. I have no doubt the MLB has more of these stories then the NHL, but that does not preclude the fact it is not an uncommon venture these days. And if the standard is 1 NHL game in 15-20 Pro-Ball, that is a stiff standard, I was going more general in long run/time minor leaguers with little to no Big league experience.
Toews-makes-funny-faces - February 1, 2012
I didn't meant to use it to support or discount any argument
I just thought it was cool that such a page exists. I’m kind of sad that there isn’t one for baseball, although I assume that sheer numbers might make it prohibitive (based on the depth of systems and the length of existence, as you noted).
As for setting a standard, I just tried to imagine the most “romantic” of situations, where you could use words like “toiled” and “journeyman” and not cheapen them, but still come up with a list you could get your head around. Again, it wasn’t designed for any particular point of view. I found it interesting, and sometimes other people find the same things interesting.
In any event, I found myself clicking through that list and imagining the journeys of some of those players. I have a lot of respect for guys that have that level of passion for what they do.
CJK - February 1, 2012
I am agreeing with you
The pure love I see many players in both sports, that they have for the game makes me like both even more, since the same is for me. Nothing to me is more relaxing then playing pickup games or strapping on some skates and slap some pucks around, play pepper or just go out and pitch.
Toews-makes-funny-faces - February 1, 2012
You may be right, I follow the NHL but don't know a thing about the AHL...
The point of my post, however, was simply pointing out he wasn’t talking about guys playing and being successful late in their careers at the highest level, but guys that weren’t good enough for that highest level still being able to play that game for a living.
bdlugz - February 1, 2012
And I like seeing this
It is for the right reasons IMO
Toews-makes-funny-faces - February 1, 2012
Agreed.
bdlugz - February 1, 2012
Jae-Hoon Ha!
My homie!
shoemile - January 30, 2012
I want this guy to make it to the major leagues
So he can be cheered by people yelling, “Ha! Ha! Ha!”
Al Yellon - January 30, 2012
So long as he keeps his hoon ha covered.
N Oakley - January 30, 2012
I hope Jae-Hoon makes the team...
so we can ditch that other scrub playing LF this season. Jae Hoon has over a .98 career fielding percentage in the minors with 8 errors in 3 seasons and he’s only 21. Other than having some patience issues at the plate (39 BB’s- 143 SO’s) i’m drinking the kool-aid on this kid
LongLiveHarryCaray - January 31, 2012
He's also the best defensive CFer on the club at any level, IMO, so he wouldn't be playing LF.
He’s also probably a year or two away from contributing at the major league level, he has some issues to work through in the minors still.
bdlugz - January 31, 2012
He's got a lot to work on offensively.
Hopefully he can be a breakout player at AA/AAA this year.
Dcr18 - January 31, 2012
I go to Daytona Cubs games with some consistency
And every time his name is announced when he walks to the box, everybody yells “Hoon Ha!” in response. Fan favorite for sure.
alkappy - February 2, 2012
Also
… how is he your “homie”?
Al Yellon - January 30, 2012
Because I have stated as such.
And after years of reading about the Cubs “vaunted” Pacific Rim scouting, it’d be nice if it produced an actual major league player for the first time in about a decade (although Hak Ju Lee looks good, albeit for another team)
shoemile - January 30, 2012
I can't wait for Bobby Scales
Bobby is my favorite player in the organization. I still think he has a couple all-star games ahead of him.
1908isjustayear - January 30, 2012
...
Nunyabidness - January 30, 2012
But he'll see the big board!
MVZ - January 30, 2012
There is no fighting in the war room!
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - January 30, 2012
They may harpoon him, but he won't show up on any radar
ClarkFan - January 30, 2012
He does. As long as he has an "in" for tickets.
the nth - January 30, 2012
Joe Mather?
I actually thought Mather was going to be a good player for the Cardinals. Uh, well, (gulp), he didn’t exactly blossom in St. Louis. Why didn’t the Cubs invite Nick Stavinoha, too? He could come back from Japan. I’m just thinking about AAAA players that have been in the Cardinals organization in recent years.
memphiscub - January 30, 2012
I liked Joe
He’s another to pull for. I think he had the makings of a good 4th outfielder or better until the wrist injuries. OPS of 1.041 at AAA Memphis in 08, got called up and did alright on a bad team. Then injury and hasn’t been the same.
Although for the Rockies AAA to end last season he hit .321/.363/.483 over 234 PA so maybe he’s back healthy?
paposse - January 31, 2012
Spring training! tra la! tra la! tra la!
Emelie - January 30, 2012
Al, that's not Brett Jackson in that picture
That’s Mike Trout. I know the caption says it’s Brett Jackson, but it’s not. There is a reason I’ve never used that photo in the Minor League Wraps.
Josh Timmers - January 30, 2012
Shoot.
I’ll change the pic. Thanks.
Al Yellon - January 30, 2012
The "A" on his arm
is a dead giveaway.
Josh Timmers - January 30, 2012
Is Mike Related to Steve Trout?
memphiscub - January 30, 2012
No
Josh Timmers - January 30, 2012
Or Rainbow Trout.
bdlugz - January 30, 2012
Brook Trout?
willie mays hayes' gloves - January 31, 2012
Maybe we can sneak Trout into our camp as well?
Hell, we’ll even let them have Jackson.. I’m just that nice.
bdlugz - January 30, 2012
If Theo had been our President earlier
he would have switched Brett Jackson and Mike Trout in the clubhouse when we had the chance. No one ever would have needed to know.
Josh Timmers - January 30, 2012
I got really excited that I missed that some big news when I saw that picture
subtle - January 31, 2012
Is Rizzo on the 25 man roster
Or was he not invited?
Notsnud - January 30, 2012
The 40-man
40-man roster needs no invite. We’ll see Junior Lake and Matt Szczur, Anthony Rizzo, Beliveau… Exciting stuff. Nice crop coming up.
KO Stradivarius - January 30, 2012
OT - Al/Josh -When are you planning on posting what was supposed to go into the Maple Street Press?
mikeschieve - January 30, 2012
Excellent question.
(Or are we just gettin greedy for more-more-more?) No hard feelings toward the guy, but, Bobby Scales…really?!
jeffstorm2 - January 30, 2012
Soon
I’m working on it now.
Josh Timmers - January 30, 2012
as long as we are throwing out NRIs...why not
RIP Slim - January 30, 2012
might i add
Ill give her an NRI :)
RIP Slim - January 30, 2012
Nasty Retnal Injury...
Maybe fix up that squinty left eye? (Sorry…couldn’t help it) :]
jeffstorm2 - January 30, 2012
New tool set. Scrappiness.
ubercubsfan - January 30, 2012
Ahhh...
You’ve invented the “6 Tool Player”! LOL
jeffstorm2 - January 30, 2012
She looks a little confused about...
…the identity of the man standing next to her.
daver - January 31, 2012
According to MLB trade rumors
The Cubs just issued NRI to Edgar Gonzalez and Matt Tolbert.
I’ve got no issue with Tolbert, but Gonzalez is just cruel. For years I’ve been dreaming about Adrian Gonzalez wearing Cubs blue. So now I get tormented with seeing his lousy older brother in Cubs blue.
Josh Timmers - January 30, 2012
Edgar Gonzalez doesn't seriously have a shot does he?
LongLiveHarryCaray - January 31, 2012
He's behind Bobby Scales on the depth chart.
santoswoodenlegs - January 31, 2012
And hopefully they're both in Iowa
LongLiveHarryCaray - January 31, 2012
although I do love Bobby Scales. Great guy. Great work ethic
LongLiveHarryCaray - January 31, 2012
Sure he does
If you’re talking about playing in Iowa.
Josh Timmers - January 31, 2012
Amezaga
All Right Great Utility player for the Marlins for 3 or 4 years
FlCub - January 31, 2012
I have this odd, fuzzy memory...
…of Amezaga making a spectacular defensive play at Wrigley Field within the last few years. Anyone else remember that?
daver - January 31, 2012
Yankees hire Jim Henry according to MLBTR...
God does have a sense of humor!
LongLiveHarryCaray - January 31, 2012 via mobile
CONFIRMED
Makes ya wonder what Ricketts missed… :]
jeffstorm2 - January 31, 2012
Oh woah, Hendry, sorry for the typo
LongLiveHarryCaray - January 31, 2012 via mobile
What will Jackson's K rate be against major league pitching this spring?
Guesses? Under 30%?
SandalsNoPants - February 1, 2012
I'll say under 30%...
My guess is 27%. He does strike out too much, but a lot of his K issues are overblown, IMO. He hasn’t had a K% over 25% since rookie ball. His AAA numbers last year are a bit of an outlier, and not a real concern to me. I think he’s got to work on his swing a little bit, but the K rate comes partially from being overly patient and seeing too many pitches – something that I’m actually okay with when it does come with a 13-15% BB rate and a .180 – .220 ISO as a center fielder.
bdlugz - February 1, 2012
Also for what it's worth, I just looked up Bill James projections
And he has Jackson at 27.7% K rate in the majors next year, which sounds about right to me if not just slightly high.
bdlugz - February 1, 2012
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