1000 Words: Hoyer and Rizzo talk shop
(Photo by Stephen Green)
Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer and first baseman Anthony Rizzo share some trade secrets around the batting cages at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz. The big league team said a rainy final goodbye to Fitch yesterday afternoon before heading over to HoHoKam Stadium, where they’ll spend the rest of the spring. The team will move into a new facility for spring 2014.
1000 Words: East Meets West
(Photo by Stephen Green)
New Cubs reliever, Japanese import Kyuji Fujikawa, dials it up at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz. Fujikawa, who tallied 220 saves and a 1.17 ERA in 12 seasons with the Hanshin Tigers of the Nippon Professional Baseball league, signed a two-year, $9.5 million deal with the Cubs in December. He became the second Japanese player in Cubs history, following Kosuke Fukudome, who was with the Cubs from 2008-11.
1000 Words: Hairston runs one down
(Photo by Stephen Green)
New Cubs outfielder Scott Hairston tracks down a ball at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz., on Monday afternoon. Hairston is one of five members of his family to play in the major leagues and is the third member of his family to play for the Cubs. His uncle, Johnny, was with the Cubs in 1969, and his brother, Jerry, played for the Cubs from 2005-06.
1000 Words: Soler swings away
(Photo by Stephen Green)
One of the most exciting aspects of early camp is getting the chance to see some of the organization’s top prospects in action. This week, Cubs fans in Mesa, Ariz., are getting their first glimpse of Jorge Soler, the massive Cuban right fielder the team signed to a nine-year, $30 million contract last June. Soler, who won’t turn 21 until Feb. 25, weighs in at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds (and looks bigger than that).
In 20 games for Class-A Peoria last year, he hit .338 with three home runs and 15 RBI in 80 at-bats. Baseball America ranks him the team’s No. 3 prospect, and baseball insiders, including Cubs manager Dale Sveum, rave about his light-tower power.
1000 Words: Coach K holds court
(Photo by Steve Green)
Minor league pitcher of the year Nick Struck gets some pointers from Cubs great Kerry Wood (who knows a thing or two about pitching).
1000 Words: Smile for the camera
Today is photo day out at Fitch Park. First baseman Anthony Rizzo and others were up early to do photos and videos with different media outlets. We’ll be posting videos all week from our interviews with Cubs players, coaches and prospects.
1000 Words: Planting the seeds of success
(Illustration by Tim Souers)
The Cubs first full-squad workout is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 17, and Vine Line will be out in Mesa, Ariz., with the team. Make sure you check the blog and our Twitter account, @cubsvineline, all next week for exclusive photos, videos and stories from the Cubs 2013 debut.
1000 Words: T-minus two days
Cubs players from all over the country are on their way to Mesa, Ariz., to get 2013 started. Pitchers and catchers officially report Sunday, Feb. 10, and the first full-squad workout is Saturday, Feb. 16. Vine Line will be in Mesa from Feb. 17-25, so make sure to check in with the blog for videos, interviews and more.
1000 Words: Sveum drafts a new player
(Photo by Stephen Green)
Cubs manager Dale Sveum and the Cubs Caravan at the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine base, where Cubs players, coaches and front office staff served lunch to active duty military and veterans in partnership with the USO.
1000 Words: Camp works on his short game
(Photo by Stephen Green)
Cubs relievers Shawn Camp and James Russell, and bullpen coach Lester Strode, take some time out from the Cubs Caravan to work on their putting at D’Agostino’s Pizza in Lakeview. At the event, several Cubs players and coaches made pizzas with students from Blaine Elementary School.
