March 25, 2015

 CSNChicago.com, Cubs: making a strong case for Javier Baez http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-joe-maddon-making-strong-case-javier-baez

 CSNChicago.com, gets lost on way to Cubs game http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/edwin-jackson-gets-lost-way-cubs-game

 CSNChicago.com, Cubs lining up for Opening Night http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-lining-jon-lester-opening-night

 Chicago Tribune, There's much that bears watching regarding Cubs and White Sox http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-cubs-white-sox-spring-haugh-spt-0325-20150324- column.html

 Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Edwin Jackson reverts to 2014 form in extremely rocky outing http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-spring-training-spt-0325-20150324-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Tuesday's recap: Athletics 14, Cubs 2 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-gameday-cubs-spring-training-spt-0325-20150324- story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Jon Lester to make next start in minor league game http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-jon-lester-to-pitch-in-minor-league-game- 20150324-story.html

 Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs' Edwin Jackson gets lost on way to ballpark, gets rocked once he shows http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/468121/cubs-edwin-jackson-gets-lost-way-ballpark-gets-rocked- shows

 Chicago Sun-Times, Another day, another homer for Cubs' http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/468049/another-day-another-homer-cubs-kris-bryant

 Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs could be Maddon's first PH option in some games http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/468024/cubs-pitcher-travis-wood-maddons-first-ph-option- games

 Chicago Sun-Times, Javy Baez told he'll make Cubs' roster despite woes http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/467321/struggling-2b-javy-baez-told-hell-make-cubs-roster- despite-strikeout-woes

 Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs' Jon Lester to finish spring with controlled minor-league starts http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/467225/cubs-jon-lester-finish-spring-controlled-minor-league- starts

 Cubs.com, 9 is fine: Bryant homers -- again http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114663494/chicago-cubs-top-prospect-kris-bryant-hits-ninth-home-run

 Cubs.com, GPS issues start rough day for Jackson http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114697868/gps-issues-start-rough-day-for-cubs-starter-edwin-jackson

 Cubs.com, Bryant's 9th homer not enough for Cubs http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114692706/kris-bryants-9th-homer-not-enough-to-overcome-edwin- jacksons-struggles-in-cubs-loss

 Cubs.com, Maddon remains confident in Baez despite http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114676872/cubs-manager-joe-maddon-remains-confident-in-javier- baez-despite-strikeouts

 Cubs.com, Lester set for Minor League start http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114657596/jon-lester-will-make-minor-league-start-thursday-for- chicago-cubs

 Cubs.com, Given birthday off, recovered Castro ready to return http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114670346/recovering-chicago-cubs-shortstop-starlin-castro-set-to- return-vs-mariners

 Cubs.com, Spring power outage not a concern for Rizzo http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114640236/spring-power-outage-not-a-concern-for-chicago-cubs- anthony-rizzo

 Cubs.com, After 'pen session, Lester confident he's on track http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/114600784/cubs-pitcher-jon-lester-throws-bullpen-session-is-on-track- for-opening-night

 ESPNChicago.com, Kris Bryant goes deep again, outfield next http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/29383/chicago-cubs-kris-bryant-goes-deep-again-of-next

 ESPNChicago.com, Edwin Jackson late to the park and lost on the mound http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/29375/jackson-late-to-the-park-and-lost-on-the-mound

 ESPNChicago.com, Cubs cautious with ace Jon Lester http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/12552792/jon-lester-chicago-cubs-pitch-count-opening-day-start

 ESPNChicago.com, just getting started http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/29368/hendricks-just-getting-started

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CSNChicago.com Cubs: Joe Maddon making a strong case for Javier Baez By Patrick Mooney

MESA, Ariz. – Joe Maddon keeps making the case for Javier Baez to be in the lineup.

Maddon came into camp talking about how there’s no entitlement program and nobody’s on scholarship, but the Cubs manager clearly sees something right now in Baez, his boom-or-bust potential and an unfinished roster.

Baez even told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday that he’s already been told he’s making the team.

Maybe “Freakonomics” will be required reading at THE Cub University.

Professor Maddon referenced that bestselling book from a University of Chicago economist (Steven Levitt) and a New York Times-affiliated journalist (Stephen Dubner) while thinking about Baez and the idea that the answers lie below the surface.

“It’s like a duck on top of the water,” Maddon said before an ugly 14-2 loss to the Oakland A’s at Hohokam Stadium. “It looks smooth on the top. It could be very difficult underneath. Or vice versa.

“If you just want to look at the numbers that are on the back of baseball cards for the last 50 years, you’re going to be misled sometimes.”

Kris Bryant then went out and blasted his ninth Cactus League , or one for every Cubs game he will miss while serving the 12 days needed to push his free agency to 2021. While Baseball America’s No. 1 prospect does his time at -A Iowa, the Cubs can only hope Baez generates some of that power during the inevitable low- scoring games in April.

Because Baez is hitting .128 with 14 strikeouts and three walks in 39 at-bats. He hasn’t really passed the eye test either, with some around the team wondering when a young player with a stubborn streak is going to stop taking so many big swings and start making adjustments.

“I might be the only guy sitting around here to tell you I’m really not concerned about that right now,” Maddon said. “The swing has nothing to do with it for me. And that’s the obvious, surface-layer kind of stuff. That’s the part that’s gonna change. But if you’re breaking down the other components of his game, this is one of the best young players I’ve seen. Period.”

The Cubs also don’t profile as a particularly strong defensive team and Baez – a natural shortstop – could be a good answer at second base with his range and athleticism.

“I come from the land of run prevention,” said Maddon, who helped build the into a perennial contender.

“He’s only being judged from the outside by his swings. That’s it. Think about the rest of his game. What have you seen otherwise?

“Ask the what they think about when he’s playing defense. How about the runs that you save?

“That’s part of my evaluation process. A guy like that – when he finally arrives here consistently – I think there’s going to be that exhale that’s going to permit him to become a better offensive player relatively fast.”

Baez insisted that he hasn’t been pressing or worrying about making the team while Cubs fans and the Chicago media keep focusing on the strikeouts.

“I’m just going to do my job and try to do my best,” Baez said.

Maddon has been talking about Baez for a few days now and his answers have gone beyond just trying to pump up a young player’s confidence. Baez is still only 22 years old, a first-round talent with eye-opening numbers in the minors.

“It would be nice to get like 25 finished products,” Maddon said. “It doesn’t happen. It’s not going to happen. I am not opposed to taking somebody that’s a little bit unpolished and help them get to that final level.”

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CSNChicago.com Edwin Jackson gets lost on way to Cubs game By Patrick Mooney

MESA, Ariz. – There are times where it feels like nothing has gone according to plan since Edwin Jackson signed that $52 million contract with the Cubs.

Jackson showed up late to Hohokam Stadium – the remodeled facility where the Cubs trained for 17 years – and things only got worse during Tuesday’s 14-2 loss to the Oakland A’s.

“I actually put it in Google Maps and typed in ‘ complex,’” Jackson said. “It took me to the old one. I know, it’s crazy, but, yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

“A crazy, crazy way to start a day.”

Jackson left before the team bus and wound up at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, which is now home to the Arizona State University baseball team. The Cubs still keep a Mesa mailing address by the Tempe/Scottsdale border, with Google Maps saying Sloan Park is 3.6 miles away from Hohokam Stadium.

Dressed in full uniform, Jackson said he still got there about 25 minutes before first pitch. The Cubs decided to use reliever Blake Parker in the first inning.

“I think I still would have been ready to go,” Jackson said, “but they didn’t want to rush it.”

It got ugly with Jackson giving up eight runs on nine hits in 1.2 innings. Oakland put together seven consecutive two-out hits in the third before manager Joe Maddon took the ball from Jackson. You heard a couple of boos from the crowd of 9,032.

“It was just one of those days,” Jackson said. “Everything you threw up there gets .”

Jackson said the bad directions were his fault and didn’t use the late arrival as an excuse.

Jackson had looked a little sharper this spring, allowing one earned run – seven runs overall – through his first nine Cactus League innings. But it’s hard to count on a big bounce-back season when he’s 14-33 with a 5.58 ERA in two years on the North Side.

Maddon won’t get into specifics, but he hinted that Theo Epstein’s front office suggested turning the No. 5 spot into a timeshare, or at least experimenting with it at the start of the season. In theory, the Cubs could try to play matchups with the right-handed Jackson and lefty Travis Wood.

“If it plays out in a certain way, there may be a creative nature to that pairing,” Maddon said. “We’ll see.”

Jackson has two years and $22 million left on his contract. It’s no secret the Cubs have been willing to subsidize the cost for a pitching-desperate team.

It sounds like Jackson – who’s widely respected in the clubhouse – won’t make it an issue if he’s a swingman starting occasionally and pitching out of the bullpen.

“You’ll be ready for whatever’s thrown at you,” Jackson said. “Nobody really has an answer (for) what’s going to happen. It’s one of those things you really can’t worry about either.

“You can’t play a game worrying about where you’re going to be or what your role is going to be. But when the time comes, everybody will be ready for whatever we have to do.”

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CSNChicago.com Cubs lining up Jon Lester for Opening Night By Patrick Mooney

MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs are still lining up Jon Lester for Opening Night at , but their $155 million ace won’t be making another Cactus League start.

After going through what the Cubs described as a typical dead-arm period, Lester will throw about 60 pitches on Thursday in a minor-league game. The All-Star lefty’s final tune-up start next week will also be against minor- leaguers.

“He’s fine,” manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday at Hohokam Stadium. “We want to be able to control the number of pitches. For instance, if he’s having a long inning, just flip it over, come on into the dugout and let the other team play. So it’s just more of a controlled environment.”

Lester stretched out to 70 pitches during his last Cactus League outing on March 16. The Cubs think 80 pitches in his final warm-up start would be enough to get ready for the St. Louis Cardinals on Easter Sunday.

“Yeah, that would be fine for me,” Maddon said. “Theoretically, you’d like to be able to at least be in the mid-90s or 100 (pitches) before that first game. He might be somewhat restricted regarding length in that first game.

“If he says he feels good, I feel good.”

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Chicago Tribune There's much that bears watching regarding Cubs and White Sox By David Haugh

MESA, Ariz. — Devoted Cubs fan George McCaskey, representing the Bears at the NFL owners meetings a few cacti down the road, took advantage of the boondoggle to attend a weekend spring-training game at Sloan Park.

Did McCaskey see a Cubs team closer to returning to the playoffs than his Bears? And will the White Sox beat both the Cubs and Bears back to the postseason? Does Chicago take the Blackhawks and Bulls for granted?

Jeff Samardzija gearing up for White Sox opening day There are no dumb questions in spring training — only reasons to pay attention before a baseball season in Chicago worth anticipating. Finally. Here are nine.

Bald is beautiful. It means nothing in the standings and won't help anybody hit better or throw straighter. But when about 20 Cubs players shaved their heads to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research, it screamed team unity and the Joe Maddon effect. This looks like a lively group of young players who enjoy the fun but focused approach Maddon takes to their development.

Carlos Rodon. It worked for and Mark Buehrle. Starting his major-league career in the bullpen can work for Rodon too — with no silly service time debate — if the Sox opt to make Brad Penny the fifth starter. Pitching coach Don Cooper knows what he's doing and the left-hander possesses poise beyond his years to accept whatever the Sox decide. Fact is, Rodon can contribute in some capacity now to a team with realistic postseason goals.

Jon Lester. A solid bullpen session Monday allayed fears of the dreaded dead-arm that caused Lester to skip a start and sent Cubs fans into an emotional free-fall. Lester's $155 million contract and Chicago's recent experience with sports injuries makes any overreaction understandable. He returns to the mound Thursday and already has established a presence in the clubhouse. Was there any better way for Lester to announce the change in attitude than by saying it was time for the youngsters to grow up and win? And it is.

Here's the catch. Lost in the celebration over White Sox general manager Rick Hahn's excellent offseason was the status quo Hahn embraced by keeping Tyler Flowers as his starting . A stronger second half last season encouraged the Sox but this represents the latest crossroads season for the 29-year-old. The Sox dealt Josh Phegley to the A's in the Jeff Samardzija trade so he no longer looms as the catcher-in-waiting. Geovany Soto was signed as insurance, and perhaps to push Flowers this spring. But it's time one of the more likable guys in the Sox clubhouse removes doubt.

Javier Baez. A year ago, Baez looked like a player ticketed for stardom. Now he looks headed to Des Moines for opening day because of an inability to make contact. Maddon wants Baez to relax and stop trying to hit the ball to the Grand Canyon, and the words sound familiar. Until Baez lets them sink in, he represents the elite Cubs' prospect with the highest bust factor.

Gordon Beckham. It seems odd Paul Konerko is nowhere to be found in the Sox clubhouse. How does Beckham fit into the hierarchy during his second tour? At one time he was positioned as the heir apparent to Konerko as the face of the South Side, the popular guy who answered tough questions after games. Returning as a utility player changes the dynamic, if not Beckham's personality, and seeing how he evolves into that new role bears watching.

Soler power. While Kris Bryant has crushed the baseball and commanded most of the attention, the prospect with the ability to scare pitchers every bit as much develops quietly. Is it crazy to wonder which Cuban slugger in Chicago this season will hit more home runs, or Jose Abreu of the White Sox? Soler also possesses an arm that makes going from first to third on a single to right field not always a risk worth taking for the speediest of runners.

David Robertson. The Sox made splashier signings but none more significant. The Sox blew 21 saves in 2014; Robertson saved 39 games. The laid-back Alabaman arrives with a $46 million contract and enough experience not to let anything that happens in Arizona affect his optimism for this season.

Who's on third? Curiosity resides at Chicago's respective hot corners. The city's most overlooked infielder might be Sox starter Connor Gillaspie, who enjoyed a solid but unspectacular 2014. With Beckham or Emilio Bonifacio also options against left-handers and potential long-term answer at the position, Matt Davidson, impatiently waiting, how does Gillaspie fit in? Will the 15 pounds of added bulk result in power he lacked?

On the Cubs, the best power-hitting in baseball this spring will begin the season in Iowa so Bryant's demotion for business reasons offers Mike Olt an opportunity. Imagine if Olt starts hot and leads the Cubs in home runs April 17 — the day Bryant can come up and preserve a year of service time.

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Chicago Tribune Cubs' Edwin Jackson reverts to 2014 form in extremely rocky outing By Mark Gonzales

MESA, Ariz. — Kris Bryant continues to hit in the fast lane, and Jon Lester is proceeding with caution.

Edwin Jackson?

The embattled Cubs pitcher said he received some inaccurate directions to HoHoKam Stadium that steered him off course in his attempt to stabilize a spot on the 25-man roster.

"I actually put in Google maps and typed in 'Oakland Athletics spring training complex,' and it took me to the old one (in Phoenix)," Jackson said Tuesday after entering in relief and allowing eight runs on nine hits in 12/3 innings. "I know it's crazy, but that pretty much sums it up."

Jackson's debacle, which caused the Cubs to start reliever Blake Parker, causes more congestion in sorting out the opening-night roster after a 14-2 loss to the A's.

Bryant hit his ninth home run of the spring in the third inning off , but his error in the fifth reinforced the team's insistence that he improve his defense at third base despite outside pleas that service-time issues should be ignored and that he should be on the opening-night roster.

Bryant received about 10 minutes of outfield instruction from coach , and manager Joe Maddon said Bryant will play the outfield later this week.

Meanwhile, Lester will make his next appearance in a minor-league game Thursday as the Cubs prefer to use their ace in a controlled setting while remaining confident that he will be ready to pitch the April 5 opener against the Cardinals.

Lester is scheduled to throw at least 60 pitches Thursday and 80 on Tuesday. That might not seem like enough for the season opener, but Maddon intimated they're not looking for Lester to throw 120 pitches as he tries to build arm strength after suffering a bout of "dead-arm" syndrome.

"If you go 80 (in the final spring start), theoretically you would like to be in the mid-90s to 100 for that first game," Maddon said. "He might be somewhat restricted regarding length in that first game.

The Cubs have a scheduled day off after the season opener, so they will have full use of their bullpen. Maddon added that Lester threw 70 pitches March 16 — his last spring start — and that he seems more concerned with repeating his delivery and building endurance and arm strength.

"He says 'I feel good,'" Maddon said. "If he says he feels good, then I feel good.''

Jackson, meanwhile, said he left before the Cubs' bus departed their facility and arrived 25 minutes before first pitch. But they didn't want to rush him after the mix-up in directions. Jackson said he relied on the same service to drive to Maryvale on March 16, when he pitched three innings of one-hit ball against the Brewers.

"At the end of the day, it's my fault for not looking to see where (HoHoKam) is at," Jackson said.

The bigger issue is whether the Cubs will remain patient with Jackson, who has lost 33 games over the last two seasons and has two years and $22 million left on his contract.

"You can't play the game worrying about where you're going to be or what your role is," Jackson said.

Baez backer: Despite 14 strikeouts in 39 at-bats and a .128 batting average, second baseman Javier Baez has the strong support of Maddon.

"I might be the only guy sitting around telling you I'm really not concerned with that right now," Maddon said.

Maddon went as far to downplay Baez's ferocious swing.

"If you break him down in other components of his game, he's one of the best young players I've seen, period," Maddon said. "He's only being judged from the outside by his swings. That's it."

Maddon stressed Baez's defensive skills at second base and shortstop.

"I come from the land of run prevention too," Maddon said. "And a guy like that, part of when he finally arrives here consistently, I think there will be that exhale that's going to permit him to be a better offensive player relatively fast."

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Chicago Tribune Tuesday's recap: Athletics 14, Cubs 2 By Mark Gonzales

The summary

Edwin Jackson relied on directions to HoHoKam Stadium on his phone Tuesday and arrived at Phoenix Municipal Stadium — the A's former spring park. Reliever Blake Parker started in place of Jackson, and the A's ripped the Cubs 14-2. After allowing one earned run in his first nine spring innings, Jackson entered this game in the second and gave up back-to-back doubles and two runs. Jackson reverted to 2014 form in the third inning, allowing seven consecutive hits — all with two outs — that led to six runs.

At the plate

Kris Bryant continued his power surge with his ninth home run in the third off left-hander Drew Pomeranz. Bryant struck out on a fastball in his first at-bat against Pomeranz. Javier Baez took a called third strike with runners at first and third to end the first, but he drew his third walk of the spring in the sixth.

In the field

Shortstop Starlin Castro was given an extra day to rest his tight right groin. Bryant made two strong throws from third but committed an error that set up 's two-run in the fifth.

Key number

.465. Bryant's batting average.

The quote

"The results weren't there, but I still feel strong. You don't let it hinder what you've' been doing. I've been having positive outings for the most part." — Jackson

Up next

At Mariners, 9:05 p.m. Wednesday at the Peoria Sports Complex. LH Travis Wood vs. RH .

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Chicago Tribune Cubs' Jon Lester to make next start in minor league game By Mark Gonzales

MESA, Ariz. -- There's a strong chance that Jon Lester won't pitch in another exhibition game this month.

But the want to make sure their prized left-hander builds up enough arm strength in a controlled setting in preparation for their April 5 opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Lester, who missed his last start Saturday because of a "dead" arm period, will make his next appearance Thursday in a minor league game. Lester is expected to throw at least 60 pitches, and he could make his next appearance in another minor league game March 31 with a target of 80 pitches.

That might not seem like enough time to get stretched out for the opener, but manager Joe Maddon isn't looking for Lester to throw 120 pitches on April 5 and said would be satisfied with 80 pitches in his final spring outing.

"That would depend on how pitch efficient he would be regarding going how deep into the first game," Maddon said Tuesday before the Cubs played the Oakland Athletics. "But if you go 80, theoretically you would like to be in the mid-90s to 100 for that first game. He might be somewhat restricted regarding length in that first game.

"He already has pitched 70 (on March 16) prior to moving him back. I haven’t spoken with Bos (pitching coach ) specifically about his number for this next one, except that we want him to control the (the repeating of his pitches), the amount and all that kind of stuff."

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Chicago Sun-Times Cubs' Edwin Jackson gets lost on way to ballpark, gets rocked once he shows By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. – Blame it on an outdated Google Maps. Or an outdated Cubs’ pitcher’s memory.

Either way, Edwin Jackson made himself a punchline again Tuesday without even pitching when he drove the wrong way for his scheduled start against the Oakland Athletics, showed up late for his pregame work and had to be scratched from the start.

Jackson, who eventually took the mound to start the second inning, said he typed in “Oakland Athletics Spring Training complex” into Google Maps on his cell phone, and it directed him to Phoenix Municipal Stadium – where the A’s trained before this year.

“I know it’s crazy,” he said. “But that pretty much sums it up.”

Upon realizing his mistake, he turned around and eventually learned that the A’s had moved to HoHoKam Park – the same former Cubs’ spring ballpark Jackson drove to every day in March 2013.

“At the end of the day I guess it’s my fault for not looking to see where they’re at,” he said. “Crazy way to start a day.”

Not that his day got any better.

Jackson, who was having a good spring after two awful seasons with the Cubs, gave up eight runs on nine hits, including five doubles and a homer, and recording just five outs.

He said he hoped “to take whatever positives you can out of it.”

Positives?

“I didn’t walk anybody,” he said.

Jackson said getting lost and starting the game late had nothing to do with the performance.

“I was still ready to go,” he said.

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Chicago Sun-Times Another day, another homer for Cubs' Kris Bryant By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. — Kris Bryant, the slugging third base prospect, started his day with practice in the outfield, continued it several hours later with a fielding error at third base, but in between hit his major-league-leading ninth official home run of the spring Tuesday against Oakland A’s left-hander Drew Pomeranz.

(Tenth home run if you count a B game homer against the Angels).

Nobody has hit more Cactus League homers in a spring over the past 10 seasons than Bryant, and only two in Florida’s Grapefruit League have hit more: Ryan Howard with 11 in 2006 and 10 in 2009; and Jake Fox with 10 in 2011.

Next up for Bryant is a game in the outfield, manager Joe Maddon said, possibly by Thursday as the Cubs try to increase his versatility in anticipation of an early season debut.

The error, on a fumbled hopper, was his third of the spring – first since a pair of early throwing errors that may have been related to a sore shoulder that limited him to DH duties for a week.

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Chicago Sun-Times Cubs pitcher Travis Wood could be Maddon's first PH option in some games By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. – Could pitcher Travis Wood wind up in the Cubs outfield at some point this year?

With new manager Joe Maddon’s innovative, unpredictable ways of looking at his roster, who knows?

One thing that’s certain is that it’s not a new thought to Cubs officials, who have at least joked about the idea in recent years when talking about how athletic Wood is.

Another certainty: Wood is projected to have an expanded role on Maddon’s team beyond left-handed pitcher.

When he came off the bench to pinch hit early in Sunday’s game against San Diego’s , it was part of his preparation for the season.

Maddon told Wood he could be his first right-handed hitter off the bench in certain situations this year.

“Like, `If your pitcher’s out in the fifth and you go to a short bench and you don’t want to waste a guy, that’s a prime spot for you, so I just want you to be prepared for that,’ “ said Wood, who hit .232 last year with three home runs and a better slugging percentage than Welington Castillo or Mike Olt.

Wood said he hasn’t been told about playing another defensive position. “But I’d do it in a heartbeat,” he said.

The short bench Maddon mentioned to Wood is the likely result of a three-man catching corps early in the season (unless the Cubs can move Castillo to one of at least four teams that have asked about him this spring) – and possibly a 13-man pitching staff.

Maddon won’t divulge the fifth-starter plan that would keep both Wood and Edwin Jackson in the starting mix – along with four locked-in starters – but conversations with others in the organization suggest shared swing- man/platoon that would require detailed planning and potentially difficult-to-manipulate bullpen appearances.

Wood, for instance, has fared especially well in his career against Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Colorado and the Mets; Jackson against Washington, Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee.

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Chicago Sun-Times Javy Baez told he'll make Cubs' roster despite strikeout woes By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. — Maybe it’s not a complete reversal of the tough talk by the Cubs’ front office and new manager Joe Maddon, who said there wouldn’t be any entitlement programs in camp.

But struggling, strikeout-prone Javy Baez said Tuesday he has been told with two weeks left in camp that he will be on the Opening Day roster, and a team official confirmed that Baez was told he’ll make the team as the second baseman.

Publicly, the Cubs continue to say no decisions have been made on Baez and a handful of other roster questions.

But after more than a month with his new team, Maddon seems to have come to the same conclusion many watching the team the last year already knew: He’ll be hard-pressed to field a lineup with anything better than an average defender at any position on a given day.

Baez, who has looked spectacular at times at both middle-infield positions this spring, would solve that issue at second base. That figures to be even more important in the run-challenged cold of the -early-season schedule.

By the time the weather warms, and big offensive potential -becomes more valuable, the team can -decide whether Baez has earned an extended stay.

Maddon has sounded like someone making a case for Baez since Sunday, when he said he had an “epiphany” regarding less conventional ways to look at some roster decisions.

Baez is the only player to start every game since then. And Maddon went on more than one pro-Baez riff talking to media before the game Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics, in which Baez went 0-for-2 with a walk and another strikeout.

He’s 5-for-39 (.128) and ranks among the top five in the Cactus League with 14 strikeouts.

“I might be the only guy sitting around here to tell you I’m really not concerned with [the strikeouts] right now,” Maddon said.

Even with that big, violent, often wild, rarely adjusted swing?

“The swing has nothing to do with it for me,” Maddon said. “That’s the obvious, surface-layer kind of stuff. That’s the part that’s going to change. But if you break down the other components of his game, he’s one of the best young players I’ve seen, period.”

Of course, it’s that swing that creates the record strikeout pace the team saw last year, leads to a paltry number of balls in play and contributes to a woeful on-base percentage (and lower frequency of home runs). And he has shown -little willingness to adjust, even with men on third in close games.

“I get it. I totally get where you’re coming from,” Maddon said. “But ask the pitchers what they think when he’s playing defense. How about the runs that you save?

“I come from the land of run prevention, too. And that’s part of my evaluation process.”

Maddon has spent the last several days in particular raving about Baez’s fielding, arm and base-running instincts, which rival anyone’s in camp (never mind the paucity of opportunities to show it).

Regardless of what he has been told about making the team, Baez said, “I don’t want to take it like that. I want to take it like I’m at spring training, and I don’t stop working and I’m not giving up anything.

“But, yeah, for sure, I’m ready for Chicago and just to help the team.”

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Chicago Sun-Times Cubs' Jon Lester to finish spring with controlled minor-league starts By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. — Cubs ace Jon Lester, who missed his last start because of “dead-arm” syndrome, will make his final two starts of the spring in minor-league games, manager Joe Maddon said.

“We just want to be able to control what he’s doing,” Maddon said. “For instance, if he’s having a long inning, just flip it over, come on into the dugout, let the other team play. …

“I’m not concerned who he pitches against. He just needs somebody standing up there so he gets the requisite number of pitches thrown. If he says he feels good I feel good.”

Pitching coach Chris Bosio said Lester, who reached 70 pitches in a start before the skipped start, will be on a 60- pitch limit in his next start, Thursday.

He would be on roughly an 80-pitch limit five days later, Maddon said, adding that would be enough for him to consider Lester ready for his Opening Night start, barring a setback.

“He might be somewhat restricted regarding length in that first game,” Maddon said.

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Cubs.com 9 is fine: Bryant homers -- again By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Another day, another home run for Kris Bryant.

The Cubs top prospect belted his ninth spring home run in the third inning Tuesday against the Athletics, connecting on the first pitch from Drew Pomeranz, who had struck out Bryant in the first.

Bryant leads the Major Leagues this spring in homers. His Cubs teammates wouldn't mind seeing that pop in the Opening Day lineup. However, the Cubs could have Bryant open the season at Triple-A Iowa to avoid starting the service time clock.

"There's not much any of us can do anymore," teammate said Tuesday. "It is what it is. He's a great kid. That's really all you can keep saying."

Bryant did some outfield drills on Tuesday and will likely play there in the next couple days, manager Joe Maddon said.

"[We wanted to] get him back out there and reacquainted," Maddon said. "He knows how to do it."

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Cubs.com GPS issues start rough day for Jackson By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Apparently, Google Maps hasn't updated the Spring Training locations in Arizona. On Tuesday, Edwin Jackson used the app for directions to Hohokam Stadium where he was scheduled to start. Trouble is, it sent him to their old home, Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

"I put in Google Maps and typed in 'Oakland Athletics Spring Training complex,' and it took me to the old one," Jackson said. "I know it's crazy, but that pretty much sums it up."

The Cubs complex is about 3.6 miles away from Hohokam Stadium, but it was a much longer drive for Jackson, who arrived at 12:40 p.m. MT. The Cubs' staff didn't want him to rush for the 1:05 p.m. MT start against the Athletics, so Blake Parker made a substitute start.

Jackson took over in the second, but the A's seemed to have no problem tracking his pitches, collecting eight runs on nine hits over 1 2/3 innings en route to their 14-2 win. Jackson said he could take some positives from the outing -- he didn't walk anyone and he felt strong.

"They hit some good pitches," Jackson said. "You have those days when they hit the ball. There were a lot of times I was ahead in the count and just didn't put them away."

Jackson served up back-to-back doubles in the A's second and retired the first two batters in the third, but then Oakland rattled off seven straight hits, including a two-run homer by Stephen Vogt.

The Cubs are set with four starters and manager Joe Maddon has hinted they are trying to come up with a creative way that Jackson and Travis Wood could share the fifth spot.

"You have to be ready for whatever is thrown at you," Jackson said. "It's one of those things you can't worry about. You can't play the game worrying about where you're going to be or what your role is going to be. When the time comes, we'll be ready for whatever we have to do."

What makes Jackson's misdirection even crazier is that Hohokam was the Cubs' old spring home. Google Maps didn't fail him when he used it March 14 to find Maryvale Baseball Park for a game against the Brewers. In fact, he said it's the first time in 12 years he's gotten lost trying to get to a ballpark.

"At the end of the day, it's my fault for not looking to see where they're at," he said. "I figured, type in the Spring Training complex and the right address would come up, but it didn't.

"It was a crazy way to start a day, I guess. If I Google any other facility it probably doesn't happen. So be it. That was the luck of the draw."

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Cubs.com Bryant's 9th homer not enough for Cubs By Jane Lee

MESA, Ariz. -- The A's busted out for 10 runs in the first three innings of Tuesday's 14-2 win over the Cubs at Hohokam Stadium, getting two-run home runs from Billy Butler and Stephen Vogt along the way.

Cubs top prospect Kris Bryant belted his Major League-leading ninth spring home run in the third inning, connecting on the first pitch from A's starter Drew Pomeranz, who had struck out Bryant in the first.

Cubs right-hander Edwin Jackson, who didn't take the mound until the second inning after arriving to the ballpark just 25 minutes ahead of first pitch, was on the hook for eight runs and nine hits in just 1 2/3 innings.

"I put in Google Maps and typed in Oakland Athletics Spring Training complex, and it took me to the old one," Jackson said. "I know it's crazy, but that pretty much sums it up."

Comeback hopeful Barry Zito, pitching in relief for the A's, strung together four more scoreless innings to bring his spring ERA down to 2.30. The lefty allowed just one hit and walked three with two strikeouts while continuing his bid for a big league roster spot.

Righty Blake Parker pitched the first inning for Chicago, surrendering Butler's third home run of the spring. Vogt, who also teamed up with Tyler Ladendorf for back-to-back doubles in the second, hit his homer in the third -- his first of the spring.

The six-run third inning was also highlighted by consecutive doubles from Ike Davis and Marcus Semien, which started a string of seven consecutive hits off Jackson.

Pomeranz struck out four but also walked four while laboring through 2 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits in his fourth spring outing. The A's rotation candidate said afterward he was dealing with right hip tightness that hindered his ability to finish his pitches.

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler notched an RBI single off Pomeranz in the first.

Davis and Vogt each finished with three hits for the A's, and Ben Zobrist two -- including a two-run, ground-rule double in the fifth.

Up next: Travis Wood, battling for the final spot in the rotation, will make his fifth spring start on Wednesday when the Cubs travel to Peoria to face the Mariners in a night game. Wood has served up 21 hits over 14 1/3 innings in his four previous starts but walked only one. Starlin Castro is expected to be back in the lineup. He's been sidelined with a tight right groin. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on MLB.TV.

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Cubs.com Maddon remains confident in Baez despite strikeouts By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Javier Baez leads the Cubs in strikeouts this spring and is batting less than .150, but if you're only looking at that part of the infielder's game, you're not seeing the whole picture, manager Joe Maddon says.

"Generally speaking, fans are always going to evaluate position players by their batting average," Maddon said Tuesday. "They don't care about their defense, they don't care how well they run the bases, they don't care about any of that stuff.

"When it comes down to evaluation at this time of year, for the most part, very superficially, people go right to the batting average. You can't do that. You can, but if you're going to be successful, you cannot."

Maddon had no idea what Baez's batting average was prior to Tuesday's game against the Athletics and didn't care.

"I might be the only guy sitting here telling you I'm not concerned with that right now," he said.

In 52 games last season with the Cubs, Baez batted .169 and struck out 95 times in 213 at-bats. Maddon has taken the extra step with the 22-year-old infielder, going to Puerto Rico to watch him play in winter ball. Baez struck out once in the two games Maddon watched.

"If you break him down in other components of his game, he's one of the best young players I've seen," Maddon said. "He's only being judged from the outside by his swings. Think about the rest of his game."

Which is what Maddon is doing as he tries to finalize the Cubs' roster. The manager is a big believer in players who not only produce runs, but save them.

"I come from the land of run prevention, and that's a part of my evaluation process," Maddon said. "When he finally arrives and is consistent, I think there will be that exhale that will permit him to become a better offensive player relatively fast.

"It'd be nice to get 25 finished products. It's not going to happen. I'm not opposed to taking somebody who's not polished and get them to that final level."

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Cubs.com Lester set for Minor League start By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Jon Lester's next start will be in a Minor League game on Thursday so the Cubs can control his .

Lester, scratched from a start Saturday because of a tired arm, had a side session on Monday.

"We want to be able to control the number of pitches," manager Joe Maddon said of why he'll pitch in the Minor League game rather than the Cubs' scheduled Cactus League game that night against the Angels. "If he's having a long inning, then we can flip it over and get him into the dugout. It's just more of a controlled environment. He's fine, we want to be able to control it."

Lester is expected to throw 60 pitches Thursday.

"I'm not concerned who he's pitching against, just so he's standing up there and gets the requisite number of pitches thrown," Maddon said of his Opening Night starter. "If he says he feels good, I feel good."

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Cubs.com Given birthday off, recovered Castro ready to return By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Shortstop Starlin Castro, sidelined with a tight right groin, is expected to return to the Cubs lineup on Wednesday, manager Joe Maddon said. The Cubs decided to give Castro, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Tuesday, an extra day of treatment.

"When a guy says he feels better, we give him one more day," Maddon said Tuesday.

• Kyle Hendricks gave up one hit and struck out two over five scoreless innings in a "B" game on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. The right-hander is one of the nice surprises in camp for Maddon.

"You sit in meetings, hear reports and then actually see it -- he's pretty good," Maddon said of Hendricks, who will be the fourth starter.

Hendricks survived a comebacker off his right leg by Mark Trumbo.

"I thought it hit his glove by his reaction, but I saw him before I came out and he said he was fine," Maddon said.

• The Cubs are expected to discuss roster moves Wednesday. There are 52 players in camp.

• Catcher missed Maddon's "Respect Bald" event on Sunday but made up for it Tuesday when he got his head shaved at the Cubs complex. The event raised more than $12,000 for pediatric cancer research.

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Cubs.com Spring power outage not a concern for Rizzo By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs rank second in the Majors this spring in home runs even though Anthony Rizzo, who led the team last year with 32, has zero, and yet he feels really good at the plate.

"I feel great," Rizzo said Monday. "It's really weird. I hit some good balls but they haven't found a hole."

In 12 games prior to Tuesday's game against the Athletics, Rizzo was 4-for-31. Last spring, he batted .321 with two home runs in 53 at-bats.

"Overall, I feel like I'm having really good at-bats," said Rizzo, who is working with his third hitting coach in as many years in . "We've had a good relationship so far and it's really easy to go in the cage every day."

But no home runs? Matt Szczur, who hit one in 116 games at Triple-A Iowa last year, has taken advantage of the desert air and hit three this spring.

"I haven't hit a homer in two years in Spring Training," Rizzo said, apparently forgetting the pair he hit last year. "It's just not in my cards. All I care about is, I'm seeing the ball real well."

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Cubs.com After 'pen session, Lester confident he's on track By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs pitcher Jon Lester, scratched from his last start because of a tired arm, threw a bullpen session on Monday, and he said he's on schedule for Opening Night, April 5.

"Today was more getting out there, getting my feet under me and going through my normal routine," Lester said after the workout at the Cubs' complex. "The other stuff will be there. We're still in the process of building arm strength and arm speed, and that will come as the innings get higher.

"I've always felt it takes me a little longer, maybe toward the end of May, when you feel strong -- you feel good and just go through the five days with the games, throwing 100 something pitches every fifth day. It takes some time to where you're consistent with everything."

Right now, Lester is not worried about velocity, just building arm strength and staying healthy. He was scheduled to start on Thursday for the Cubs.

The Cubs and Lester decided to give him a "blow" to avoid risk of injury. There's been no pain or discomfort, Lester said.

"There was no worry there," Lester said. "We just needed to step back and take a break and get back to the normal five days."

Jake Arrieta also pitched in a Minor League game on Monday, which was an off-day for the rest of the team, and went six innings.

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ESPNChicago.com Kris Bryant goes deep again, outfield next By Jesse Rogers

MESA, Ariz. -- He did it again.

Chicago Cubs prospect Kris Bryant hit his spring leading ninth home run on Tuesday, a solo shot off of Drew Pomeranz of the Oakland Athletics in the Cubs' 14-2 loss to the A’s.

Bryant hit Pomeranz’s first pitch out to left field, giving him nine homers in 28 at-bats. Bryant also struck out and flew out before being removed from the game. He made an error at third base, giving him three for the spring, but his next appearance on defense could be in the outfield. He began drills out there Tuesday morning.

“We’re going to try and get him, in the next couple of days, get him into the game as an outfielder,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said before the game.

The Cubs have been hinting since the offseason that Bryant would get some work in left field but they claim he’s still their third baseman of the future. With a group of talented infielders making their way to the majors -- plus incumbents Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo already established -- Bryant could end up being an everyday outfielder. In fact, if Mike Olt takes solid hold of the third-base job Bryant could very well make his debut in the outfield sometime in the next month or so. He’s played outfield before, just not as a professional.

“He knows how to do it,” Maddon said.

He also knows how to hit. Pending the outcome of other games on Tuesday, Bryant has a four home-run lead on his closest competitor while producing eye-popping slugging (1.520) and OPS (2.072) numbers entering the day. His mission to make the team might now continue in the outfield.

Castro to play Wed: The Cubs pushed Castro’s return to the lineup by one day just to be safe, according to Maddon. Castro has been out since the weekend with a groin issue. He was expected back in the lineup on Tuesday, but Maddon wanted to give him another chance to rest it. Plus, the Cubs play a night game on Wednesday, which gives him a few extra hours before taking the field again.

Hendricks sharp: Starter Kyle Hendricks pitched in a “B” game on Tuesday morning, going five innings while giving up just one hit. He’s had a fantastic spring so far.

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ESPNChicago.com Edwin Jackson late to the park and lost on the mound By Jesse Rogers

MESA, Ariz. -- This could only happen to Edwin Jackson, right? Fighting for his roster spot on the Chicago Cubs as spring training winds down, Jackson was late for his scheduled start against Oakland on Tuesday because he got lost getting to Hohokam Park in Mesa where the Athletics play their games.

"I typed in Oakland Athletics spring training complex and it took me to the old one," Jackson said. "I know it was crazy."

Jackson arrived at Phoenix Municipal Stadium only to find there was no game. The A's moved out this season and now play where the Cubs used to train. Jackson's first year as a Cub in 2013 was their last at Hohokam. Jackson said he arrived at 12:40 p.m. for the 1 p.m. game but instead of scrambling to get him ready, the Cubs decided to pitch him beginning in the second inning. Things did not go well.

"Just one of those days where they just hit the ball," Jackson said.

Jackson gave up nine hits, including seven consecutive, and eight runs in 1.2 innings pitched. It looked as if the A's were having batting practice with Jackson as their coach pitching to them. He claims his late arrival had nothing to do with his struggles -- and considering his past woes it's hard to know if it did. Either way, Jackson did not give much for Cubs brass to get excited about.

"It was a crazy way to start the day," Jackson said.

His finish wasn't great either.

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ESPNChicago.com Cubs cautious with ace Jon Lester By Jesse Rogers

MESA, Ariz. - Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester could be "restricted" on Opening Day as he continues to build his pitch count up after missing a recent spring start due to arm fatigue. Lester didn't pitch Saturday against the but is still on pace to throw April 5 when the Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals.

"He might somewhat be restricted regarding length in that first game," manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday.

Maddon indicated that Lester has already reached about 70 pitches in a start this spring but would be limited to 60 in his next appearance on Thursday. His final tuneup next week won't go for more than about 80, which means don't expect him to reach 100 on Opening Day. The Cubs are planning on pitching him in minor league games this week and next to control the environment.

"I'm not concerned who he pitches against," Maddon said. "He just needs somebody standing up there so he gets the requisite number of pitches thrown. If he says he feels good, then I feel good."

In a spring minor league game, teams can simply end an inning whenever they want. Lester threw his normal bullpen session on Monday after missing his start on Saturday.

"Everything is fine," Lester said Tuesday. "At the time it felt like the right thing to do. There is no reason to push yourself."

The Cubs have two off-days during the first week of the season, so using the bullpen should not be an issue. Lester signed a six-year, $155 million deal in the offseason after reaching 200 innings in six of the last seven seasons, however, he might not have the arm strength to go the distance in his first start.

"We want to be able to control the number of pitches," Maddon said.

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ESPNChicago.com Kyle Hendricks just getting started By Jesse Rogers

MESA, Ariz. – As Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks takes the mound for one of his final appearances this spring - - in a “B” game against the on Tuesday -- there’s one lingering question to answer before he begins his first full season in the Cubs' rotation.

Just how good can he be? What’s his ceiling?

If you talked with a scout as recently as last season more than likely they would have told you he might be a back- end of the rotation pitcher. If you talked with ESPN analyst and spring instructor Rick Sutcliffe he would tell you Hendricks is a special pitcher who gives him the same vibe that hurlers such as Greg Maddux, Mike Mussina and once gave him. That’s high praise.

And if you had talked with any of the prospect experts who do it for a living many would have said he wouldn’t make it in the big leagues with a fastball that tops off at 86-88 mph.

So who was right? You know by now -- despite Hendricks only making a handful of starts in the majors.

“Oh, he’s looking much better than a 4 or 5,” that same scout said recently. “He gets outs.”

Hendricks was overlooked at every turn. He was drafted in the eighth round by the and despite a mind-boggling 7.5 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio in the minors in 2012 he didn’t get much publicity when the Cubs traded for him in exchange for Ryan Dempster that summer. He didn’t make any top 10 prospect lists and was even behind a Cubs pitcher who hadn’t thrown in two years. The lack of attention came down to one thing: Hendricks doesn’t light up the radar gun.

“Pitching is about movement and location and disrupting timing every bit as much as it is about velocity,” Cubs president Theo Epstein said. “As an industry we’ve gotten lazy falling back on the radar gun as a way to make fine line distinctions between pitchers. And the reality is it's important but there are other foundational building blocks to pitching.”

Epstein and the front office did their homework on Hendricks after a deal with the fell apart. Third base prospect Christian Villanueva was more highly rated as the other player the Cubs received from Texas but it’s Hendricks who has made an early splash. He went 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA in 12 starts last season solidifying a spot in the rotation in 2015. His spring hasn’t been bad either. He has a 0.00 ERA in two Cactus League appearances.

“He jumped off the page statistically when you take an advanced look at him,” Epstein said. “Makeup was a huge part of it. We were able to use some connections and talk to some people who had played with him and had him as a player either as a coach or front office person. He stood out. People we trusted went to bat for the kid’s makeup and said he will get the absolute most out of ability and he has ability. They were right.”

The comparisons to Maddux stem from two things: Hendricks’ lack of velocity and his ability to throw a big pitch when he needs to. Like Maddux, he’ll set hitters up.

“He’s shown the ability to make the big pitch,” Epstein said. “He has some tools now. He has a really good sinker. His sinker moves straight down. And it’s late. Who cares if its 89 or 88, it gets a ground ball?”

Teammate Mike Olt added: “I don’t know much about pitching, but he looks one step ahead of the hitter. That’s his entire game plan, to be a step ahead.”

You might be surprised that the Dartmouth grad doesn’t rely on anything more than “feel” when he’s pitching. He didn’t go back and look at a lot of his starts from last season nor did he examine the numbers. Some of those numbers would indicate he was more fortunate than good. For example, according to ESPN Stats and Information, his hard hit average (.162) was higher than the league average but yet his home run rate (0.45 per 9 IP) was way down as was his batting average on balls in play (.275).

In layman terms, Hendricks gave up hard contact but didn’t give up a lot of damage because of it. Why? He simply made the big pitch at the right time. And that’s not by accident. He induced 11 double play balls in 12 games. That’s a huge number.

“He can make balls look like strikes and strikes look like balls,” Epstein said. “It opens up a lot. He has a lot of different ways to shape a big pitch in a big spot.”

New Cubs manager Joe Maddon is experiencing Hendricks for the first time and is understanding why so many people like him. He’s the very definition of low maintenance.

“I’m very careful about being too smart with people that don’t need your help,” Maddon said recently. “There’s nothing I can say to help him except ‘hello.’”

What 25 year-old rookie doesn’t need help from his veteran manager? Not many.

“People will not project him highly because he’s not lighting up the gun but he lights up the location,” Maddon said. “Ask a hitter what they think. A hitter is going to tell you by the way he reacts to his pitches. He’s good. He’s real good. He just gets hitters out. They go back to the dugout, they’re all very upset. They’re breaking bats, wondering how did he beat me like that? And that happens 16, 17 times a year when he wins games.”

Prospect gurus are wondering the same thing. How did Hendricks defy their projections?

“Sky’s the limit for him,” Sutcliffe said. “Watch out for this kid.”

Everyone is now.

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