The Chicago Cubs announced today 25 non-list guests for the 2021 spring training.
These are the guys who will join the 40 men to participate in Spring Training for the big league from the beginning:
⇒ Right-handed Joe Biagini, James Bourque, Juan Gámez, Jake Jewell, Trevor Megill, Shelby Miller, Tommy Nance and Michael Rucker.
⇒ Left-handed Rex brothers, Brendon Little, Adam Morgan, DJ Snelten and Jerry Vasto.
⇒ Infielders Abiatal Avelino, Matt Duffy, Trent Giambrone, Alfonso Rivas and Patrick Wisdom.
⇒ Outfielders Michael Hermosillo, Nick Martini, Ian Miller and Rafael Ortega.
⇒ Catchers Taylor Gushue, PJ Higgins and José Lobatón.
Basically, they are all that we have seen reported as minor league signings, as well as a very limited number of in-house guys. Any of the pitchers have a legitimate chance of winning a job in the bullpen, because that is how the Cubs are building that group. It was fun to see the former first round pick Brendon Little included – Bryan recently talked about the work Little did during the closing. Talent has always been present and development has always been expected to take a little longer. It would be a crazy story if he showed up at Spring Training and just got a job.
In the meantime, each of the positional non-catcher guys is fighting perhaps for the last place on the bench. Rivas is more of a prospect, having barely played above High-A, but the club is considered quite advanced. The three Seekers are after the two presumed guys in the squad (Willson Contreras and Austin Romine).
There may be other additions before the official start of spring training next week and, in fact, we expect the Little Lions to add at least one more initial pitcher.
Teams are limited to 75 participants in the major league spring training this year because of the pandemic, although the Cubs are still 10 fewer names when you add those 25 to the 40-man list. It doesn’t look like the limitation will be a problem, even if the Cubs add more from here.