A Cactus League street sport Tuesday got here hours after Seiya Suzuki’s disappointment of his indirect pressure and outlook at what comes subsequent for the Chicago Cubs proper fielder.
Opening day won’t be in play due to Suzuki’s reasonable left indirect pressure, making the remainder of the spring essential for the group to determine its choices if he can’t go originally of the season. Nelson Velasquez, who must be in that blend, hit a two-run homer in a 6-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Brennen Davis related for an RBI double whereas Matt Mervis doubled and walked. Outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara had a two-hit sport.
The Sox used the lengthy ball and a few small ball in a 4-1 victory in opposition to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields. Seby Zavala hit a two-run homer within the sixth. Billy Hamilton doubled to proper, stole third and scored on Sebastián Rivero’s security squeeze within the eighth.
Chicago Tribune baseball writers LaMond Pope, Meghan Montemurro and Paul Sullivan can be offering Cubs and White Sox updates all through spring coaching.
Drew Smyly is studying to work with new catcher Tucker Barnhart
Smyly considers himself a simple pitcher to catch.
He throws a three-pitch combine — curveball, sinker and cutter — and sticks to his strengths. It’s a stark distinction to Marcus Stroman, who can incorporate 5 pitches in a begin. Both can supply completely different challenges for brand spanking new Cubs catcher Tucker Barnhart.
“That’s got to be really hard for Tucker to get going and execute (Stroman’s variety),” Smyly stated after the veteran caught his spring debut Tuesday. “For me, it’d be a little easier once we start game planning and figure each other out.”
The numbers weren’t fairly from Smyly’s begin in opposition to the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed two runs on 5 hits, together with a house run, in two innings. He didn’t stroll a batter and struck out two. And in his first expertise with the pitch clock he recorded one violation within the second inning when he failed to start out delivering a pitch earlier than the timer expired.
But at this level the Cubs aren’t placing collectively prestart scouting reviews on the best way to assault the opposing lineup. The focus as an alternative facilities on ensuring a pitcher’s physique and arm really feel good and dealing on pitches. Tuesday’s begin was the primary time Smyly and Barnhart labored collectively in a sport.
“So, I’m probably shaking more than he’s used to,” Smyly stated. “You’re just trying to feel it out facing the hitters for the first time. He doesn’t really know how I like to set guys up yet. It’s just working with each other through spring training, trying to get on the same page.”
White Sox plan to be ‘opportunistic’ on the bases
Yoán Moncada went from first to 3rd on an Eloy Jiménez single for the White Sox within the first inning Saturday in opposition to the San Diego Padres.
Andrew Vaughn went first to 3rd on a Yasmani Grandal single Monday in opposition to the Seattle Mariners.
Sox supervisor Pedro Grifol appreciated the aggressive baserunning in Monday’s 10-1 victory.
“I envision our team taking advantage of 90 feet whenever it’s given to us,” Grifol stated Tuesday. “Whether it’s on a ball within the dust, a base hit to the outfield, so generally you possibly can’t pressure this stuff, however after they current themselves it’s a must to be able to take it.
“What kind of baserunning team are we going to be? Opportunistic. You give it to us, we’re going to preach taking it.”
As far as operating exhausting to first, Grifol stated “that’s expectation.”
“I’ve heard all the philosophies in the last four, five years — you know, save your legs and, I’ve heard them all — but at the same time you have respect the game, your teammates and your organization, and the fans that come out to watch,” Grifol stated. “The youngsters which are within the stands which are studying from the best way we play the sport.
“To me it’s just give me a good effort.”
Minor changes are working for Jake Burger
Slight adjustments on the plate are working for Burger.
The Sox infielder hit his second homer of the spring Monday, a two-run blast to deep middle within the sixth inning in opposition to the Mariners at Camelback Ranch.
Burger observed a few of the advantages even earlier than the primary Cactus League sport this spring.
“I made some minor adjustments with some swing-and-miss and chase, keeping my head a little stiller,” Burger instructed the Tribune final week. “I feel like that’s paid off from what I’ve seen so far.”
Burger is competing for a roster spot, getting work at first base within the first three video games.
“The bat plays at any level,” Grifol stated Sunday. “I know from the other side he was a tough game plan. I want to see it every day, the way he goes about his business. He’s playing third, he’s playing first. This guy is a tough out.”
Burger slashed .250/.302/.458 with eight homers and 26 RBIs in 51 video games final season. He had a .253 common with 5 homers and 16 RBIs in 39 video games at Triple-A Charlotte.
“Last year showed me that I do belong there,” Burger stated. “Just kind of build off that. I feel really good at the plate right now.”
This spring, Burger stated, is about “compete and intensity, first and foremost. Just show up every day. I’m grateful to be here. Use that gratitude and also use my focus and energy to put my best foot forward.”
Today’s video games
- Cubs vs. Mariners, 2:05 p.m.
- White Sox vs. Guardians, 2:05 p.m.
What we’re studying this morning
Quotable
“There’s a level of respect to the game for people who pay to watch the game. I’m not asking them ground ball to the pitcher to give me 100% down the line, but you know what, give me a good effort. Give me good effort till the play ends. And if it happens to end before you get to first base, OK, well then you can shut down a little bit. Just give me good effort. Give us, our organization, our culture, the effort that we’re looking for.” — Sox supervisor Pedro Grifol on operating exhausting down the road
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Source: www.bostonherald.com