Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs Wilt in Desert Heat

The Cubs drop the finale in Phoenix and the series, finishing the roadtrip at 2-4. Hey, they won 2 games.

Why the Cubs Lost: Ryan Dempster came out of the gate rolling breaking pitches up in the hitters' eyes while generally missing the plate. He did settle down for the most part after the first inning, besides a Chad Tracy home run in the third, but the Cubs offensive funk didn't need the degree of difficulty to start the game. It looked like Dempster was done after six and allowing four earned runs, but a Mike Fontenot double play to end the top of the 7th sent him back out for the bottom of the inning. Dempster walked the leadoff batter on four straight and was promptly removed and had another run tacked on to his total. He ended the day with 97 pitches, 61 for strikes, 5 earned runs in 6 innngs pitched and a 5.10 ERA in April.

That's when the bullpen got its chance to piss all over itself as Carlos Marmol came in showing the signs of a four day layoff...22 pitches just 5 for strikes. After walking in two runs, it was Jeff Samardzija's turn and he did strike out two, but sandwiched them around a bases clearing Justin Upton double to put the game from joke to laugher' territory. Kevin Gregg got his shot in the ninth and after 35 pitches of which only 18 were strikes, he walked in a run (3 walks total) and then had some parting words for the home plate ump, who I don't think actually ejected him. If he indeed did not get ejected, and considering the argument went on a lot longer and Gregg seemed as agitated if not more than Milton Bradley did, there seems to be a bit of a unsurprising double standard going on by the umpires.

On the other side, Doug Davis dazzled with junk ranging from 68-83 mph taking 50 pitches to get through the first 2 innings Naturally, the Cubs start hacking and Davis gets through the third in eight pitches and just 66 over the next five innings.

Armchair Managing: Let's start with Lou deciding to give Geovany Soto the start over Koyie Hill after saying Soto would rest a few days. Soto went 0-3 with a walk, two strike outs, a passed ball and two stolen bases allowed. The other questionable decision was to bring in a in a rusty Carlos Marmol with a runner on, in what was still a close game. I would think you'd want to ease him in a little but more and Marmol was predictably wild, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Death Pool: Cubs still seem undecided about whether to put Aramis on the disabled list or not, but he's probably closest to being replaced on the roster. Neal Cotts remains safe by virture of not pitching since Sunday.

The Cubs are back home for four against the Florida Marlins, aka Cubs kryptonite, and then two versus the San Francisco Giants. 

Tags

Comments

This team is bringing new life to the word 'inconsistent'. Dempster has to cut down the walks thats all there is to it. I was 'so so' on resigning him to the big money, but I still have faith that he can turn it around and throw strikes. As for the offense, like we saw in 2006, a team just missing their best hitter, in this case Ramirez can really hurt a team. It looks like he's not coming back any time soon which isn't a good sign. That being said lets bear down and win the series vs the fish.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I look at that and see player A with an ISOOBP of .059 and a Theriot-like ISO slugging of .062. Unless player A is Ichiro, then those numbers are most likely not sustainable. Then I look at Player A's BABIP, .426 and realize that I am right. Then I look at player B, with a Bondsian ISOOBP of .220 and ISOSLG of .097, and suspect he's the better hitter. Then I check his BABIP of .095 and realize I am right.

PICO: "I still have faith that he can turn it around and throw strikes." And WHY is that? That is his MO, dude. Last year was an anomaly, not the real Demp. This is gonna be a suck-ass signing for four years. Fucking Hendry. And - Brenley, whom I have grown to respect, I have to say a big "BULLSHIT" when he talked about the Cubs gaining "real momentum" yesterday by trouncing the D-Backs. IF this team doesn't make it to the Playoffs this year - as far as I'm concerned with the new Management coming in, I would not mind blowing this stuff up and going for "young and hungry" like a small market team. What difference is it, as I and others pay as much for a fucking car every year for Season Tickets. I am so sick of this shit. I know "its early", but EVERY facet of this team is really performing poorly - save a couple starters: Bullpen - SUCK, Hitting with RISP - SUCK; Defense - SUCK

On a day when the Cubs aren't any fun to watch, I like to look to the minor leagues for bright spots. Iowa has the day off, so there aren't any Fox homeruns to check out, but here's some other neat stuff: 1. Darwin Barney, slick fielding shortstop, hit 3rd today for AA Tennessee (he's hit third a few times this year, but he's also hit low in the lineup several times). He went 3-5 with 2 RBI and raised his average to .345. If he can hit—even if its mostly a lot of singles—he's a real prospect. But I believe I remember Mr. AZ Phil saying he's got occasional power. 2. Jay Jackson pitched 7 innings in that game and gave up 1 run, earned. He also went 2-2 at the plate with a single, solo homerun, and sacrifice bunt. 3. Peoria trounced the Burlington Bees, 9-0. Kyler Burke hit a homerun and a double and raised his average to .288. Josh Vitters is hitting .317 and Josh Harrison is hitting .359 (he played 3rd today and I think I've seen him at 2nd and LF at times this season). I hope that sometime during the season (probably closer to July or August), AZ Phil updates us on the development of Josh Vitters, Jay Jackson, Darwin Barney, and Kyler Burke (as well as many of our other intriguing minor leaguers). For right now, those minor league highlights mitigate the pain of today's game just slightly.

Simple formula for the Marlins series... my prediction: Wind blowing in, Cubs lose. Wind blowing out, Cubs win. We will see.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

prior was bigger than Jesus on stilts until the injuries. the guy went to the minors after getting drafted for 1/2 season (AA/AAA), but that was pretty much a formality...he sure didn't find refinement there. he was out-of-the-box ready. the guy never saw something he couldn't dominate until he got injured.

Don't look now, but the Cubs are in 5th place in the division. Yeah it is early, but only 20 games in and even the most positive thinking Cub fan has got to be a little worried about some of the things that have happened thus far. First priority is to get healthy and it looks like Lou and Hendry are doing everything they can to keep that from happening (Soto, Bradley, etc.)

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Yep, that is why I said it is early. *rolls eyes* But there are some serious issues with this team, beyond just slumps or injuries, that have come to light that very well might be issues for the whole season. We need to get healthy first, but hopefully some of those other issues can be worked out then.

AZ PHIL CRYING IN HIS BEER AFTER CUBS GET SOAKED AT CHASE FIELD

Today's game wasn't a lot of fun. So naturally my mind wandered...

The Cubs are nearing the deadline for either trading Luis Vizcaino or releasing him outright and eating $4M in salary (including the $500K buy-out for 2010). And Jake Fox is hotter than a firecracker at Iowa, and will almost certainly be named the PCL Player of the Month.

But Fox is a DH playing for a National League organization, and he will be out of minor league options next season (that is, next Spring Training). So as much as I hate to say this, the Cubs really need to trade Fox right now, before he cools off.

Because everybody knows his future will be as a DH, the Cubs aren't likely to get a top prospect back for Fox. But unlike an unsigned veteran DH like Frank Thomas (for instance), Fox is a cheap auto-renewal guy who won't be eligible for arbitration until after the 2011 season, and won't be a FA until after the 2014 season. So if he hits a lot of HR, he would have some value. And the Cubs really need somebody with Mark DeRosa's skill-set, somebody who can play multiple positions (especially 3B) and serve as a RH bat off the bench.

In looking over the American League teams who might have an interest in acquiring Jake Fox, one club stands out... and as always, it's the Baltimore Orioles.

Jake Fox & Luis Vizcaino for Ty Wigginton might be a possibilty. Wiggy almost exactly duplicates Mark DeRosa's skill-set, that being the ability to play 3B-2B-1B-LF-RF and serve as a RHPH when he's not starting. Exactly what the 2009 Cubs are missing. I'm not saying Wigginton is DeRosa Redux, but he serves the purpose of a DeRosa. Wigginton is making $6M 2009-10 ($2.5M in 2009 and $3.5M in 2010), almost the exact same annual salary as recently DFA'd RHP Luis Vizcaino makes, except the Orioles could cut Vizcaino loose for $500K after the 2009 season and save $2M (overall) in the process. Acquiring Wigginton would not add anything to the Cubs 2009 payroll since they are getting close to the deadline for releasing Vizcaino anyway, and the deal could also be used to satisfy the PTBNL still owed to the Cubs for Rich Hill. Fox could platoon at DH with Luke Scott, or could DH full-time, with Scott playing LF.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

I dont think Wigginton can play 2b anymore, and the Cubs could have signed Wigginton instead of Miles if they wanted to...plus it presents the problem of cutting a bench spot unless they go with one less pitcher (not that I would mind Gathright getting cut).

And Wigginton is Scott's DH platoon partner now that Mora is back, along with being Pie's platoon partner in LF.

Cubs did start off the season 8-4 in case people forgot.

There you go again, AZ PHIL: "Acquiring Wigginton would not add anything to the Cubs 2009 payroll since they are getting close to the deadline for releasing Vizcaino anyway, and the deal could also be used to satisfy the PTBNL still owed to the Cubs for Rich Hill. " This makes a lot of sense. Frankly, I was wondering why they did not make a play for him (Wigs) during the off-season anyway. BUT, you know "he's batting .205 with two extra-base hits and eight RBIs." How is that helping us now?

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

That trade would be liked getting something for nothing. I really don't see any teams getting in line to get Fox and esp not giving major league talent back. How many of Iowa's power hitters the last 5 years have actually proven they can hit for power in the majors? Soto and maybe Hoffpauir? Meanwhile there is Pie, McClain, Mike Restovich, Jason Dubois and Scott Moore who have all put up big numbers there and very little major league production to show for it.

[ ]

In reply to by Jeff_Pico

Discounting Soto and Hoffpauir to suit your argument seems a little lame. Of course a lot of prospects miss, but hitting 12 homers in like 20 games means at least the raw skills are there. I'm not saying Jake Fox going to net us a top prospect, but he looks like he could be a useful piece on an AL team that needs a CHEAP, right-handed power option off the bench or in the DH role. For fans of a team with a $140 million payroll it's easy to say he's worthless, but I bet there are plenty of teams these days that are pinching pennies and would love a guy at $440K who has Fox's power.

Murton is up with the Rockies. Struck out tonight as a pinch hitter.

[ ]

In reply to by Jeff_Pico

Murton is gay. Fox Network says so.

Toronto has completely remade Brian Dopirak's swing and it's paying off in power and batting average. "He's no longer "whaling at the ball, on his front foot all the time," as Fisher Cats hitting coach Paul Elliott describes the old swing. "It's night and day. He spent five years in the Cubs organization, and I think because of his strength and size "" and the numbers he put up at the lower levels "" they really just left him alone," Elliott said. "He's got some good leverage in that body, and we showed him a way to get that. He' completely changed his whole approach and swing. It's taken some time to do it, but he's certainly benefitting from it now." http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=On+Baseball%3A+Dopirak… But what they don't tell you is BD has had all his success at their A level just like when he was with the Cubs. It's a bit early to know if he's really transitioned successfully to AA.

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

I understand the criticism of Scales, and he's not going to even come close to replacing Ramirez's bat, but he won't be a slouch and I think it will be fun to see him.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

If a player is 31 and never had played in the bigs yet, he isn't any good. Let's hope he doesn't get many AB's and ARam gets healthy ASAP.

[ ]

In reply to by mannytrillo

Gee, really?? I was thinking that he would go on to be the savior of the Cubs' season, and would go on and be the MVP of the league! I am thinking of today, and how special the day will be for him. I hope some of that rubs off on the other players, and motivates them a little...

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

No problem, we'll just slide DeRosa over to play third, like we did the last 2 years when A-Ram had his annual leg problem.

Has there been any Cubs minor leaguer that the Cubs dumped in the last 5 years that has really done more than what they were doing with the Cubs? Nolasco - who is struggling so far in 2009 - had a great year last year, but he was good in the minors. But more guys like Moore, Harvey, Montanez, etc that people seem to want to blame the Cubs farm system instruction on and were sort of just dumped by the team for what seemed like nothing. anyway, I can't think of anyone off hand...so wondering if I'm missing anybody.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

No I've tried to make this point before that the Cubs haven't traded away any all stars lately. There was some pining for Pinto last year, but he was having a great 1st half hasn't done much since then. Nolasco is the 'wildcard' that might turn out to be really good.

[ ]

In reply to by Jeff_Pico

but Nolasco was already good, and Pinto was pretty good with control problems, but he put up good numbers in Double A for the Cubs. I don't think he's doing anything unexpected.

my question is, which players have really flourished under different instruction since the Cubs farm system is supposedly so bad at it?

I honestly can't think of any...

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Montanez put up a .927 OPS for Double A at age 24 for the Cubs...limited AB's, but I don't see anything of him really improving all that much. He put up a .986 OPS last year in Double A at age 26. That just seems like natural progression for a player repeating leagues.

Wellemeyer did have a fine season with the Cards last year...glad Dave Duncan taught him how to scuff a baseball. I kid.

But yeah, Wellemeyer would qualify I guess...three organizations later thanks to probably the most well-renowned pitching coach.

So 1 in 15/20 times the Cubs are wrong about a prospect.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I don't have a major problem with the players traded away worrying about them getting good somewhere else or the Cubs being "wrong". The Cubs just have a blah farm system just can't produce many good players. All their top talent has fallen flat over the past few years (Choi, Patterson, Prior, Guzman, Pie). Even if that player was traded away and sucked it shows the Cubs overall judge of talent just hasn't been very good and that is why their farm system rankings have gone down and been bad for years.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I don't recall Soto ever being considered their top talent in their farm system, nor was Z or the mighty midgets for that matter. Hell, in 2007, after Barrett was traded, Hendry traded for the $13MM man Jason Kendall, brought up Koyie ".161 BA" Hill, brought off the DL a gimpy Hank White before finally giving Soto a chance to play C in September. Obviously they weren't sold too much on him up till that point. But of course the Cubs do have a few players that have come through the system who are good or at least helping the team in some fashion (Z, Marmol, Soto, mighty midgets), but overall their farm system has sucked in producing good players recently. Luckily, a couple of them Hendry was able to trade away before people knew they were not good (Choi, Hill). But others were just basically dumped (Patterson, Hill, Pie Cedeno, etc.)

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In reply to by The Joe

The Joe: "So a player has to be considered good in the minor leagues for his goodness in the majors to count? The farm system sucked because Z and Soto weren't considered top propects?" My argument was that ALL the Cubs top talent recently has flopped. I should have said MOST as it looks like Soto was a top prospect in 2008 after not even being considered an average prospect in 2007. But to answer your questions, No and No. The farm system sucks because we have not turned out many good players over the past many years.

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In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Being a role player is not a bad thing. I might just have a different definition of what a role player is. Just because you are a starter doesn't mean you can't be a role player. David Eckstein was a role player for the Cards, John Paxson was a role player for the Bulls, etc. The mighty midgets just are not, IMO, key players on this team. They fill in the roles left over from what the key players (ARam, Soriano, Lee, Bradley, Z, etc.) don't fill.

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In reply to by mannytrillo

Ok...that's a way to look at role players. I would consider a role player more like this, using last year's team as an example. Daryle Ward-pinch hitter Henry Blanco back-up catcher Ronny Cedeno back-up infielder Mike Fontenot:back-up infielder I just guess I wouldn't consider a starting player a role player.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Juan Cruz certainly did well for a few years (far better than Andy Pratt ever did). I would like to have Augie Ojeda now as a 2B, 3B, SS back-up, but he is no star. Brendan Harris has been a solid player for the Twins the last couple of years. Andy Sisco of course had the one good year with the Royals and has sucked since. The verdict, of course, is still out on guys like Donaldson and Ceda. But given the the Cubs track record, I don't worry too much.

Cubs have spring training in AZ, why do they always suck so bad there in the regular season? Bizzaro. I do not trust: Dempster, our bullpen, Neifi Miles. sigh... Please prove me wrong. Scrappy players show yer stuff.

after Teagarden struck out... "Rangers seem to be suffering from connect-ile dysfunction today"... wow. Yankee radio guy after a Teixeria HR last week... "And he sends a Tex-message out to right field..." (paraphrasing a bit)

although he does give up a HR to Andruw Jones...Ziegler was sick apparently.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.