Chicago Cubs non-roster Invitees

The Chicago Cubs have invited twenty one non roster invitees to spring training this spring. This is a variety of players from the Cubs minor leagues who they wanted to give a taste of spring training, journey guys, and veteran’s. These players are invited to camp and competing for a job on the big league roster, but re not on the 40 man roster. Thus, in order for them to make the team, a roster spot would have to be cleared for them by trading or releasing someone currently on the 40 man roster. Out of the 21 players they invited there are eleven pitchers, three catchers, four infielders and three outfielders. The eleven pitchers are: Edward Campusano, Esmailin Caridad, Andrew Cashner, Chad Fox, Ken Kadokura, J.R. Mathes, Rocky Roquet, Matt Smith, Mike Stanton, Jason Waddell, and Bill White. The three catchers are: Welington Castillo, Steve Clevenger, and Mark Johnson. The four infielders are: Darwin Barney, Andres Blanco, Luis Rivas, and Bobby Scales. The three outfielders are: Doug Deeds, Jason Dubois, and So Taguchi.

Andrew Cashner was the Cubs first round pick last year. He was a closer in College and the Cubs hope good things from his soon. That was their intent when they drafted a closer with their top pick. He could be a part of the bullpen this year if someone gets injured. If he had a better year last season in the minor’s, he could have joined the bullpen this year. Instead of going with the old notion of drafting a starter and developing him, their hoping a closer can help the team now. Chad Fox is hoping for his third stint with the Cubs. He has been injury proned his whole career and both of his last Cubs stint’s have been very short because of injury’s which has taken him over a year to recovery each time. Ken Kadokura is a Japense pitcher who never played in the major’s. He was cut last year by his team in Japan and did not pitch. He is older so his best days are behind him, but he has been a swingman throughout most of his career in Japan. One of the reasons’s for bringing him in is that he played for a year on the same team with Fukudome and that maybe someone of the same culture would make thing’s easier on him. Mike Stanton is a 41 year old lefty reliever who did not pitch at all last year. He used to be a good left reliever, but is getting up their and not as good as he used to be. If Sean Marshall does start that would only leave Neal Cotts in the bullpen, so they could use a second lefty then. Those are the non roster invitee pitcher’s who have the best chance of making the team. The other guys would even be more of a long shot at making the club than these guys.

The Cubs have no position player’s in camp that I think will make the team out of spring training. There are a few that could be called up during the season depending on the injury and how their performing at that time. So Taguchi has played for over seven years in the major’s as a back up outfielder. He can play all three outfield spots if needed, but left is his best defensive position. He owns a career 279 average. He does not have much power with 19 homers over the seven seasons and is a solid fundamental player, but does nothing exceptional. An example is Joey Gathright who is one of the Cubs back outfielders. Gathright has great speed which gives him the edge to complement our roster. Corey Koskie was just signed the other day. He has not played in a few years after injuries. Before his injury he was a average everyday third basemen. If he gets back to his old firm, which is a big if, he would give us a good backup for Ramirez when he gets injured. He would need to practice at another position to give us some flexibility though. The Cubs also have Luis Rivas who is a great glove man, but has not bat. If there is injury to one of our infielder’s he would probably get the call up. Mark Johnson has some major league experience, but with Hill in front of him, and Bako and Soto as the Cubs catcher’s, he seems to be the odd man out. Jason Dubois has the same power he had several year ago, but needs to show he can put it together at the major league level which looks doubtful.

Let’s see how all of the non roster invitees look in spring training!