Bleacher Bums Forum

Cubs win again.  Merriweather's fastball was consistently 97, then 98 on the last K pitch.  Threw a LOT of sliders, some very good, some pretty wild.  Thus far, I'd think the default is that he makes the team. 

He's gonna be useful.

About the only argument you can make for Wesneski not being in the rotation from the beginning is trying to limit his innings.  He was great (if a little lucky) last season, great this spring.  There's no developmental reason for him to be at Iowa.

Guys, thanks for the updates re Bellinger and Wesneski, among others, so far this spring!

Sure hope Wesneski can earn a rotation spot and keep it!  That would be HUGE!

15-20 years ago, Cubs had a quality starter named Jon Lieber (obtained from Pirates), who was great a couple years before getting hurt. 

Lieber didn't throw super hard, but he had a wicked slider with late horizontal movement!

Lieber used to buckle knees with his slider.  Is Wesneski's slider that kind of a pitch when he's throwing well? 

So far in his young MLB career, Wesneski has really been effective vs major league hitters!

Sanders looked very good against Dodgers scrubs. Hit 97 and his final pitch K was a hellacious sinker with a ton of movement.

Going to be some bullpen talent at Iowa when Cubs need to make some pitching call-ups.

Hughes struggling.

Be nice if Swanson would get a hit occasionally.  It's hard to be a leader when you're batting under .100.