Tag Archives: Ryan Dempster

Kyle Hendricks named North Division starting pitcher

Tennessee Smokies pitcher Kyle Hendricks was named the Southern League North Division starter Monday afternoon. (Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover)

Tennessee Smokies pitcher Kyle Hendricks was named the Southern League North Division starter Monday afternoon. (Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover)

Tennessee Smokies starter Kyle Hendricks was announced as the North Division starting pitcher Monday afternoon for the Southern League All-Star Game on July 17th in Jacksonville. Hendricks is 8-3 on the season with a 2.13 ERA

This is the first Southern League selection for Hendricks after the right-hander spent the first two seasons of his professional career in the Texas Rangers organization.

“It’s a great honor to be able to start the All-Star game,” Hendricks said Monday evening. “It’s not really a goal you had in mind but just making the All-Star team is great and, on top of that, being able to start is a huge honor.”

Monday’s announcement is the latest honor for Hendricks, who was named the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Month in May and Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 10th.

This year marks the second career All-Star selection for Hendricks, who was named a 2012 Carolina League Mid-Season All-Star while with Class-A Myrtle Beach. The righty did not start the game but pitched the seventh inning and allow no hits while striking out Cincinnati Reds prospect Billy Hamilton.

“It’s definitely a step up getting the start [this year],” Hendricks said. “It’s a testament to our whole team though. I mean you’ve got to have guys behind you making plays and you’ve got to have runs scored to get the win so it’s pretty much a team effort to get me there.”

Hendricks, who came to the Cubs organization in the Ryan Dempster deal, is 7-2 in his last 12 starts with a 1.80 ERA.

Hendricks will be opposed by South Division starter and Mobile’s David Holmberg. Holmberg is 5-4 on the season with a 2.41 ERA in 18 starts. Jacksonville has not hosted the Southern League All-Star Game since the 2003 season a decade ago.

To stay current with all the latest news, follow Smokies on Radio on Twitter and like the Smokies on Radio Facebook page.  Nick Roark is a Broadcast & Media Assistant for the Smokies Radio Network.  You can follow him on Twitter here: NickRoark4.

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Filed under 2013 Smokies Feature, 2013 Southern League Player Feature

6/27 Smokies Snippets: Hendricks fills the need

Kyle Hendricks made a dazzling start last night, giving the Smokies a much need eight inning shutout performance. (Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover)

Kyle Hendricks made a dazzling start last night, giving the Smokies a much needed eight inning shutout performance. (Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover)

The Tennessee Smokies needed Kyle Hendricks to give one of his best performances of the season last night, a lot to ask for a guy who entered the game with a 7-2 record and a 0.45 ERA at home.  A depleted bullpen from Tuesday’s grueling 14-inning game left manager Buddy Bailey with only two relievers available out of the eight on roster.

Bailey got what he needed along with a little more from Hendricks.  The former Ivy Leaguer out of Dartmouth pitched a season-high eight shutout innings to go along with five hits, one walk, and six strikeouts.

“He knows how to pitch,” Bailey said of Hendricks. “He used his changeup probably less than his other outings cause he didn’t need it cause of the breaking stuff and he was locating his fastball so well.”

Hendricks acknowledged he relied less on his changeup becuase “it’s the third time we’ve faced this team and so they obviously know me.”

“They know I like to go to my changeup and so I tried to throw the breaking balls a little more,” Hendricks said.  ”Both my breaking balls were working well last night and my fastball command, that was the staple I could go to all night long.”

Hendricks, who came to the Cubs organization as a trade piece in the Ryan Dempster deal, said he pitched to contact “even more so last night” in an effort to keep his pitch count down.  The right-hander threw 91 pitches and said he “absolutely” could have went the distance.  But Hendricks supplied Bailey’s dire need and lowered his home ERA to 0.38 in seven starts.

“It worked out,” Bailey said. “If you were going to write a script of what we needed today, this was it.”

To stay current with all the latest news, follow Smokies on Radio on Twitter and like the Smokies on Radio Facebook page.  Nick Roark is a Broadcast & Media Assistant for the Smokies Radio Network.  You can follow him on Twitter here: NickRoark4.

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Christian Villanueva brings a new meaning to the term “selling”

Christian Villanueva leads the Southern League in doubles (20) on games played through June 14. (Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover)

Christian Villanueva leads the Southern League in doubles (20) on games played through June 14. (Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover)

When teams trade a proven major league player for minor league prospects, it is considered that the team giving up the more experienced player is “selling”. That term can sometimes be a misnomer. For organizations that are not contending at the end of July, it is an opportunity to get a return on a player that will not be resigned the next season.

Last year, the Cubs knew they were not going to keep Ryan Dempster and traded him to the Texas Rangers. In return, Chicago landed third basemen Christian Villanueva and pitcher Kyle Hendricks. Minor league players know they could be traded at any time, but getting the official word is something no one can anticipate.

“I was walking to the [batting] cage,” Villanueva said. “Some of my teammates were like ‘Hey Villa, the manager want to see you in the office’ and I was kind of figured it out that I was traded. When I got in the clubhouse, I saw my name on ESPN and I was excited.”

The Smokies third basemen and Hendricks will always be connected by the trade from Texas, but each player is beginning to make a name for himself. The Smokies right-hander was recently named Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May. Villanueva currently leads the Southern League in doubles (20) and has been one of the top players at the hot corner.

The Smokies third basemen enjoys playing third base and believes his hard work is paying off. (Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover)

The Smokies third basemen enjoys playing third base and believes his hard work is paying off. (Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover)

The Guadalajara, Mexico native leads the league in putouts (39) and has been working hard to become an all-around player and not just a talented defensive infielder.

“I’ve been working hard with [Smokies hitting coach] Desi Wilson,” Villanueva said. “I just tried to change my mind and my approach. Some of my stance I’ve been switching. I’ve been working more in the cage. I have my routine and I just try to take my pitch and try not to chase bad pitches.”

The extra work has allowed the No. 12 prospect in the Cubs system according to Baseball America rank near the top among Southern League third basemen in several offensive statistics (through June 14).

Villanueva ranks first in doubles (20) and triples (2) and second in RBIs (31), OPS (.747), and stolen bases (4).

Durability has allowed Villanueva to accumulate those totals as the third basemen has played in 63 of the 66 games this season for the Smokies.

The convention of using the term “selling” in July trades will probably never be broken. Dempster made 12 starts and had an ERA over five during his time in Texas. Meanwhile the Cubs were able to acquire a pair of prospects that have paid dividends for the organization in less than 365 days as members of the Chicago organization.

AUDIO INTERVIEW 


To stay current with all the latest news, follow Smokies on Radio on Twitter and like the Smokies on Radio Facebook page. Michael Wottreng is a Broadcast and Multimedia Assistant for the Smokies Radio Network. You can follow Michael on Twitter here: @MWottreng

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What We’re Reading (4/5)

Jim Adduci returns to the Smokies to begin the 2012 season. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

Good morning and Happy Opening Day everybody! It’s great to have baseball beginning again, not only in the big leagues but also all around minor league baseball as well. Today’s a big day for the Chicago Cubs organization as the Cubs begin their season against the Washington Nationals at 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field. Ryan Dempster will start for the Cubs while the Nationals will start Stephen Strasburg.

It’s a big day for the Cubs’ AA club as well, as the Tennessee Smokies open the season against the Chattanooga Lookouts tonight at AT&T Field with a  7:15 p.m. first pitch. Nick Struck will start for the Smokies against Chattanooga’s Allen Webster.

A new feature this season to the Smokies Radio Network blog is called “What We’re Reading.” These posts will provide links to stories that we’re interested in from all around baseball. You never know, we may even discuss these stories during the game broadcast tonight.

We hope you enjoy this new feature, and check back to this site during the day for more news and notes as we get set for the start of Smokies baseball!

- Knoxville News Sentinel: Short night for Smokies, Dae-Eun Rhee

- Knoxville News Sentinel: Buddy Bailey ready for return to Smokies

- Chattanooga Times Free Press: 2012 “Meet the Lookouts” player capsules

- Chattanooga Times Free Press: Kyle Russell ready to lead for Lookouts

- MiLB.com: Jackson packed with top-flight pitching

- MiLB.com: Blue Wahoos ready to make big splash

- Des Moines Register: Iowa Cubs: This team is loaded

- Chicago Tribune: Changes aplenty at Wrigley Field

- Chicago Sun-Times: At 22, All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro understands his third season is crucial

- Carrie Muskat: MLB.com: Sveum wants good spring vibes to follow Cubs

- Len Kasper and Bob Brenly: First Impressions

- Grantland: The Radioactive Dugout

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Listen to Len and Mick as Cubs host Dodgers

Marlon Byrd congratulated following a Cactus League homer. Photo Courtesy: Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

After yesterday’s 12-11 loss to the Padres in Peoria, the Chicago Cubs return home to HoHoKam Park to host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. CT.

Yesterday’s game featured plenty of offense for the Cubs, led by Darwin Barney who went 4-4.

Right-hander Ryan Dempster will make his final start of the spring as he takes the mound on Friday for the Cubs. Dempster, who will be the Opening Day starter for the Cubs next Thursday, is 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA in spring training.

Starting for the Dodgers is right-hander Fernando Nieve, who has not recorded a decision but has a 3.24 ERA in five appearances in Cactus League play. This will be a split-squad day for the Dodgers, with the other half of the club facing the Milwaukee Brewers.

Fans can listen to the game on Cubs.com with Cubs television voice Len Kasper teaming up with Smokies broadcaster Mick Gillispie.

The coverage on Cubs.com begins with The United Airlines Lead-Off Show, which starts at 3:50 p.m. ET/ 2:50 p.m. CT. Fans do not have to sign up for an MLB.TV or MLB.com account to listen, just click MLB.com next to the Cubs and Mariners and you’re tuned in.

Along with Cubs.com, the broadcast is also available through the MLB.com At Bat 12 app for mobile devices, which can be purchased here.

Be sure to listen in to Len and Mick as the Cubs face the Dodgers!

Listen now by clicking MLB.com next to Dodgers at Cubs!

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Mick in Mesa: Big Day of Roster Moves

Equipment ready for pre-game practice for the Cubs. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie.

By Mick Gillispie / Smokies Radio Network

Today was the day that the major roster cuts were made, and the Cubs reduced the roster from 40 players to 31. Of all the days this spring, it certainly was the most tense inside the Cubs clubhouse. Even though I’ve been in this clubhouse the past three years, and it was still a learning experience on how to handle this situation. Today was a tough day because you feel for guys you know and have been with in the past. Guys like Casey Coleman, Jeff Samardzija, Steve Clevenger and Randy Wells. I’ve seen these guys battle for jobs all spring and all of those four guys had three very different experiences today.

For Steve Clevenger and Jeff Samardzija, this has to rank up there as one of the best days of their life, or at the very least the best day of their professional careers with the Cubs. For Clevenger, a guy that is from my same hometown of Baltimore, he and Welington Castillo have been battling it out for the backup catcher’s job with the Cubs. It was certainly stiff competition for the two former Smokies teammates and they both proved that they can be major league catchers. Welington proved that some of the weaknesses he had in the past behind the plate are now corrected and he is solid defensively. He’s always been able to hit and he improved calling the game and handling the pitching staff.

Clevenger with the Smokies in 2010. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

Steve has always been a good hitter and handles the pitching staff well, but I think this came down to a virtual tie between these two. The deciding factor was how Cubs manager Dale Sveum likes to manage games and he is big on matchups, and Clevenger being a lefty hitter gave him the edge.

For Samardzija, I’m really happy for him that he’s made the club and will be in the starting rotation along with Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Chris Volstad, and Paul Maholm. He said something today in his comments with the media that really stuck with me and shows he’s on the cusp of big things in this game. When talking about how he got this roster spot, he said he’s proud because of how he feels like he really had to earn it. He’s always been such a natural athlete that he could just wake up, go to the field and be the best one out there. This has been the first time that he really had to grind it out, learn to accept failure and overcome it. He’s a guy with a lot of God-given ability, and was a star wide receiver playing football at Notre Dame. He had the chance to go to the NFL, but chose the tougher route in trying to succeed as a major league pitcher. What makes a player great is how they deal with adjustments, and I’ve seen Jeff grow a lot since I first saw him in 2007 with the Smokies.

With Samardzija and Volstad getting spots in the rotation, it means that a few guys were left out like Casey Coleman and Randy Wells who were both reassigned to minor league camp today. Randy has been in the big leagues before as a starter and he really battled for a spot in the 2012 rotation. There was a competition of seven guys for five spots, and everyone really pitched well this spring. It just works out that right now Wells doesn’t have a spot in the Chicago rotation, but he’ll have a chance to continue growing as a pitcher with Iowa. The way the Cubs new management team sees it, and what I think is smart, is that you’ve got to have seven or eight starting pitchers in the organization you feel comfortable letting start in the big leagues. You have the five in the Cubs rotation, but you’ve got to have those guys in the minors that are ready to step in when someone gets hurt. One of those big league starters is bound to get hurt at one point or another in a long season, and I’m sure we’ll see Randy in Chicago at some point this summer. That’s where Casey Coleman fits in as well, he’ll have a chance to grow in Iowa and always be ready if needed at Wrigley Field. I know it’s disappointing for these guys, but that’s just how it went today.

Blake Lalli with the Smokies in 2011. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

Also Blake Lalli was one of the players sent down to minor league camp today, and I think he did great in his first year at big league camp. Blake is one of the greatest Smokies of all time, and he’s constantly having to battle for respect. Sometimes in this game you get a certain label like “minor league guy,” but Blake’s proven that he can hit big league pitching this spring. He continues to be the guy that’s the first in the clubhouse and the last to leave, and grinds out this game with a smile on his face. He has given himself an opportunity now at the higher levels, and his story is something that all Smokies and Cubs fans should be proud of.

So it’s been an interesting day because you feel great for guys like Steve Clevenger and Jeff Samardzija, even though you know it’s tough right now for Randy Wells, Casey Coleman, and Welington Castillo to be optioned to the minors.

I wanted to use this blog to also talk about the Cubs’ traveling secretary, Jimmy Bank. Jimmy is a guy that I first heard about from his father, Bert Bank. Bert was a war hero from WWII, having been captured by the Japanese in the Philippines and he survived the famed Bataan Death March in the process. When he came back to the United States he had a distinguished career as a radio pioneer, politician, having served as a member of both the Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Senate. He went to school at the University of Alabama before the war, and when he returned to the states he settled in Tuscaloosa. Bert founded the Crimson Tide Sports Network, and also owned a couple of radio stations in town. I worked for one of those stations WTBC, and also have worked for the CTSN for the past several years.

When I was a student at Alabama I first met Bert. I was calling games on the student station and he would come by and talk to me and always asked if I needed anything. I got my first scoresheet from Bert, as he gave me one of Eli Gold’s basketball scoresheets which I still use as a model for what I use today. Bert was always good at giving me advice and was a man I was proud to call a friend. He was certainly one of my heroes.

Jimmy Bank and I in the booth. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie.

I first remember him talking about his son Jimmy when I was a student, as he mentioned him working with the Cubs. At the time I never thought I’d meet him, although because of this opportunity with the Cubs I have gotten to know Jimmy. He’s been the traveling secretary for the Cubs since the early 1990s, and it’s a big responsibility. He arranges all the travel for the Cubs from the airplane reservations and having buses, as well as booking all the hotel rooms, giving out meal money, arranging for transportation for players when they’re traded, you name it he does it.

Jimmy came up doing radio and he worked for Oakland A’s owner Charlie O. Finley first in Memphis with the American Basketball Association’s Memphis Tams. Charlie O. would eventually sell the team, but he kept Jimmy with him, bringing him back to Oakland where Jimmy worked for the A’s during the first two of what would be three World Champion seasons in the early 1970s. They were certainly a dynasty with greats such as Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Bert Campaneris, Joe Rudi, and others. They won three straight World Series from 1972 to 1974, and Jimmy still has the World Series rings from the two years he was there.

It’s always good to talk to Jimmy and he still keeps up with everything Alabama football which we talk a lot about. It’s very ironic that we got to know each other after I had first known his dad years ago. Jimmy came on my radio show back in Tuscaloosa last night and we talked a lot about his dad Bert who did so much for our state and our country as a war hero.

Radio Equipment in the booth.

One aspect of our broadcast this year on Cubs.com that I’m really proud of is having beat writers and other members of the media join us on the air during the game. Len and I really have a lot of fun with it. I’ve got to give Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman of the Cincinnati Reds credit for this, he’s always done a great job bringing on writers during Reds broadcasts. These reporters bring a good element to the broadcast because they can be much more opinionated than broadcasters can be. These guys are very smart, their job is covering the Cubs and their insight on what’s going on with the ballclub is incredible. I’ve been privileged to spend a month around this group and have learned a lot. Yesterday we had Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune on the air and he was fantastic giving his thoughts about what roster cuts he thought the Cubs may make.

Len with Bruce Miles of The Daily Herald. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie.

Len had Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald on earlier this week, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know another Bruce that has been on the Cubs beat awhile: Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 and ESPNChicago.com. We’ve also had Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago, and Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has become a good friend. He’s really fun to be around and it’s fun to talk to him about baseball, politics, the weather, just whatever – he’s a great guy.

One of the things that’s different between the minors and the majors is how stiff the competition is for stories with the ballclub. To tell those stories properly you’ve got to have talented people covering the team, and I’ve seen that from the media that covers the Cubs. So much news breaks everyday with this team, and these guys conduct themselves professionally no matter what happens. It’s been great getting to know them and I’ve learned a lot from staying out of the way and letting them do their job.

That wraps it up for this post and Len and I are getting set for the Cubs and Padres this afternoon in Peoria. Check Roger’s post below for all the listening information.

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Mick in Mesa: Time for an Autograph

HoHoKam Park. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

By Mick Gillispie / Smokies Radio Network

After having the weekend off, it was great to get back to the ballpark for what turned out to be a good 2-0 win for the Cubs over the Padres.

One of my favorite former Smokies and people Casey Coleman pitched two very good innings. I’m hoping he’ll have a chance to make the club, he’s started a lot in the past but this year he is competing for a spot in the bullpen. I don’t think he’s given up a run in his last nine innings on the mound, has been really solid. His sinker is working plus his offspeed pitches have been tough to hit.

Rafael Dolis pitched for the Smokies in parts of the last two seasons. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.

Rafael Dolis got the save and really looked solid. He may be the next big-time closer in Major League Baseball. I don’t know why he couldn’t be. I think with all things considered there is a chance he becomes a big star, the kind of closer that can get 40-50 saves a season. A lot of that depends on how he adjusts to the major league lifestyle, but that’s a factor with all young players. Sometimes that adjustment is just as important as the tools you bring on the field. Dolis throws hard, he’s a big guy with excellent build and has the right movement on his pitches. There’s just something special about him right now. I don’t think it was an accident that he got the save yesterday, his second of the spring.  I think with the way he is pitching right now he’ll make the team and will be solid coming out of the bullpen.

Yesterday was a lot of fun at the ballpark. I’ve mentioned before that we see Cubs television analyst Bob Brenly all the time in the press box even when he isn’t working so he can watch his son Michael play. Yesterday Bob was in the booth next to us, and it was an odd sight to see him sitting next to Len, his normal partner on television, yet he was in another booth that was separated by glass.

It was good to see Andy Masur, one of the broadcasters for the San Diego Padres yesterday. Andy got his start in the big leagues on WGN Radio working along with Pat Hughes and Ron Santo, with a large part of his job helping Ron on the road. I think Andy’s a really good guy, we didn’t catch up as much as I would’ve liked, but still good to see him.

Long-time Padres voice Jerry Coleman wasn’t here, but he’s someone I love talking to, especially about Hall of Fame broadcasters. Coleman won the Ford Frick Award a few years ago so he’s a Hall of Famer in his own right, but he also has worked with and knew the likes of Vin Scully, Ernie Harwell, Red Barber, Mel Allen among others. He’s been with the best, and when I talk with him I ask about things I’ve only read about in books because he lived it with those guys.

Spring training is known for many things, but one of them is how many autographs get signed during the course of this month. Fans are always coming up to the booth or reach out to Len whenever he’s there to get his autograph. Sometimes it’s funny what people will give to be signed. Yesterday there was a guy who had an old piece of paper, looked maybe like a lineup sheet from a week ago, and he asked Len to sign it. Whenever you get an autograph, you want something that will last the test of time, so I was surprised to see that guy give Len that old sheet of paper.

Len Kasper signing an autograph. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

Most people will ask for baseballs to be signed, and the really smart fans get Len and Bob’s autographs on the same baseball. One guy had a Cubs cookbook that Len was in and had that signed yesterday. Len and Bob both have been very courteous with the fans and take time out of their days to make sure that every fan who wants an autograph will get one. Not everyone in this game is like that, but these guys are great about it. It’s nice to be around people who will take time for the fans.

The Cubs front office is continuing to trim the roster, and it looks like after Wednesday’s game we’ll see another round of cuts. Thursday we should have a good idea of what the ballclub will look like on Opening Day. First they have to decide who will be in the rotation, then go from there. Ryan Dempster will start on Opening Day, followed by Matt Garza. Paul Maholm has locked down the fifth spot in the rotation, while Jeff Samardzija, Randy Wells, and Chris Volstad are all competing for the other two spots. That’s a tough call because all three guys have looked sharp and can be quality big league starters.

On the field with the rest of the Cubs media. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie.

From there they will form the bullpen, where you could see Rodrigo Lopez, Casey Coleman, Rafael Dolis, James Russell, and also Blake Parker along with Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol among others. We’ll know something soon about the backup catcher job in the battle we’ve kept an eye on this spring between Welington Castillo and Steve Clevenger. Then they will determine one outfield spot, one more infield spot, and it’s time for baseball!

I’ve just arrived at Goodyear Ballpark and Len and I are getting set for today’s game against the Reds. Check out Roger’s post below for all the broadcast information.

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Mick in Mesa: Turning the Corner

Entrance to the Cubs Front Office in Mesa. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

By Mick Gillispie / Smokies Radio Network

We’re now turning the corner into the back stretch of spring training here in Arizona. The Cubs front office led by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have some tough decisions to make as more roster cuts have been made and will continue to be made as we get closer to the end of big league camp.

What’s been really interesting for me has been the battle for the backup catcher job between two former Smokies, Welington Castillo and Steve Clevenger. Those two guys have been just as good at their position as anyone else in camp. Welington has really improved since I last saw him, especially behind the plate. Steve has grown over the past three years in the way he calls a game and he handles a pitching staff so well. Cubs manager Dale Sveum says that these guys could start with a lot of other clubs in the big leagues, making his decision that much tougher.

When you think about the job that Welington, Steve, and 2010 Smokies catcher Robinson Chirinos have done, it hits you how much talent has been behind the plate at Smokies Park the last several years. Robinson was a big piece in the deal that brought Matt Garza to the Cubs before the 2011 season and made his big league debut for the Rays last season.

If I had to handicap the race, I’d probably give Clevenger the edge because he is a left-handed batter. This will make the matchups easier for Sveum, and it’s always good to have a good lefty bat on the bench.

Today's Cubs lineup against the Rockies. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie.

There is also a lot of competition for spots in the starting rotation. Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster have really solidified their roles as the top two in the rotation, and we should know who will start on Opening Day soon. The surprise out of camp has been how well Jeff Samardzija has pitched. Jeff is a guy we saw in Tennessee in 2007-08, and is really starting to blossom on the mound. He of course was an outstanding wide receiver at Notre Dame and when the Cubs drafted him they signed him to a big league contract to prevent him from going to the NFL. This sport is different than football, you just don’t have a guy get drafted and make an impact immediately at the top level. It takes time and Jeff is starting to figure things out. I could tell last year that everything was starting to click for him as a solid bullpen guy, and now he looks to be right in line for a spot in the Cubs rotation.

Also in the rotation, Paul Maholm and Chris Volstad have been great in their starts, and so has Randy Wells. I really like watching Randy Wells and I love his changeup, it’s one of the best I’ve seen from anybody this spring. Volstad is a familiar name to Smokies fans because he was with the Carolina Mudcats when they were a Marlins affiliate in 2008 and was dominant. Former Smokies Casey Coleman, James Russell, and Rafael Dolis have all looked good on the mound. It’s hard not to give Dolis a spot, he was strong as Tennessee’s closer a year ago. He can reach 100 mph with that fastball that has a good sinking movement. It’s really tough to hit and he’s been fooling good big league hitters with it thise spring. There are lots of openings in the bullpen, and some of the guys who don’t make it to the starting rotation will get a shot there.

Anthony Rizzo meeting with the media on Friday morning. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie.

Everywhere else on the Cubs roster is pretty much set. Two of the guys that have done the best this spring won’t make the team in Brett Jackson and Anthony Rizzo, two of the top Cubs prospects. Rizzo has been impressive, he was the key cog in the deal between the Cubs and Padres earlier this year when former Smokies pitcher Andrew Cashner went from Chicago to San Diego. He is impressive defensively and is a solid left-handed bat. He’s start the season at Iowa most likely but he’s a top prospect for a reason. For Jackson, he homered yesterday but will also probably start the year at Triple-A. He has all kinds of talent, and will get an opportunity one day but just not right now. There will come a day when he’s in the outfield everyday at Wrigley Field. He’s proven himself of being capable of playing at a high level.

The Cubs front office will tell these guys what to work on to get back to the big leagues, and I know they’ll work hard. Like I said before, this is a tough part of spring for the front office because they have to keep trimming the roster, and we are less than two weeks away from Opening Day at Wrigley Field.

Shane Kelley in the Texas Rangers media guide. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie.

Yesterday for me was fun because I ran into my first color analyst partner, Shane Kelley, who is now a coach with the Texas Rangers. Shane was a team chaplain for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team when I called games as a student on WVUA radio. It was really fun to catch up with him and I’m excited he’s got this great opportunity with the Rangers as a strength coach. He’ll be working a lot with slugger Josh Hamilton, a guy I met yesterday. He’s a terrific person and very humble when you consider he’s one of the best in baseball. He’s been in the news a lot because of his off-field struggles in his life, but I enjoyed meeting him and wish him nothing but the best this season. Really good to see Shane, first time I’ve seen him in about 12 years.

We’re only a few hours away from today’s broadcast of the Cubs vs. Rockies game at Talking Stick, and you can find all the listening information in the post below. I really want to thank all the guys that worked hard to make this broadcast a success, without them it wouldn’t be possible. Thanks to: Barry Allen, Roger Hoover, Justin Shackil, Darren Headrick, Cody Chrusciel, Jon Laaser, J.P. Shadrick, Allen Faul, Chris Harris, Kyle Tait, Ben Ingram, Joe Davis, Wayne Randazzo, as well as everyone with the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball.

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Filed under 2012 Cubs Spring Training, Mick in Mesa

Listen to Len and Mick as Cubs welcome Rangers to Mesa

Marlon Byrd and Steve Clevenger. Photo Courtesy: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

The Chicago Cubs will return to split-squad action on Tuesday afternoon with the defending American League champion Texas Rangers coming to Mesa while the other squad will hit the road to face the Oakland A’s.

Tuesday afternoon’s match-up against Texas (4:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. CT first pitch) will be the third of the spring with the Rangers, with all games coming in split-squad play. The clubs have split the first two games over the past four days.

Ryan Dempster will start for the Cubs against the Rangers in Mesa. This will be Dempster’s fourth start of the spring, and he enters this start with a 1-1 record with a 4.15 ERA. Neftali Feliz will start for Texas, making his third start in Cactus League play.

Fans can listen to the game on Cubs.com with Cubs television voice Len Kasper teaming up with Smokies broadcaster Mick Gillispie.

The coverage on Cubs.com begins with The United Airlines Lead-Off Show, which starts at 3:50 p.m. ET/ 2:50 CT. Fans do not have to sign up for an MLB.TV or MLB.com account to listen, just click MLB.com next to the Cubs and Mariners and you’re tuned in.

Along with Cubs.com, the broadcast is also available through the MLB.com At Bat 12 app for mobile devices, which can be purchased here.

Be sure to listen in to Len and Mick as the Cubs face the Rangers!

Listen now by clicking MLB.com next to Rangers at Cubs!

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Filed under 2012 Cubs Spring Training

Listen to Len and Mick for Diamondbacks at Cubs

Chicago Cubs outfielder Brett Jackson. Photo Courtesy: Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune

By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network

The Chicago Cubs will split things up for the first time this spring as the club will have split-squad action this afternoon in Arizona. Half of the squad will play against the Colorado Rockies, while the other half will welcome in the Arizona Diamondbacks to HoHoKam Park beginning at 4:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. CT on Cubs.com.

The Cubs are looking to bounce back from a rough 10-2 loss yesterday to the Milwaukee Brewers. While Rodrigo Lopez will pitch for the Cubs against the Rockies in Scottsdale, right-hander Ryan Dempster will get the ball against the Diamondbacks in Mesa. Dempster will be opposed by Arizona’s Ian Kennedy.

Fans can listen to the game on Cubs.com with Cubs television voice Len Kasper teaming up with Smokies broadcaster Mick Gillispie. The duo will be joined during the broadcast by  CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney on Thursday afternoon.

The coverage on Cubs.com begins with The United Airlines Lead-Off Show, which starts at 3:50 p.m. ET/ 2:50 CT. Fans do not have to sign up for an MLB.TV or MLB.com account to listen, just click MLB.com next to the Cubs and D’Backs and you’re tuned in.

Along with Cubs.com, the broadcast is also available through the MLB.com At Bat 12 app for mobile devices, which can be purchased here.

Be sure to listen in to Len and Mick as the Cubs face the D’Backs!

Listen now by clicking MLB.com next to Diamondbacks at Cubs!

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Filed under 2012 Cubs Spring Training