DELUSIONAL CUBS FAN

Clockwise from left: James Russell, Esmailin Caridad, Tyler Colvin and Justin Berg

Four Rookies Make Cubs 2010 Opening Day Roster

Lou Pinella has named the Chicago Cubs 2010 opening day roster and the Cubs will break camp with four rookies opening the season on the Cubs major league roster.  The four Cubs rookies include one position player in outfielder Tyler Colvin and three rookie relief pitchers in Esmailin Caridad, Justin Berg and James Russell.

Tyler Colvin was a big longshot to make the major league roster at the start of spring training. Colvin worked hard this offseason though with the Cubs strength conditioner to add muscle and showed up to camp noticeably bigger. He hit and hit and hit his way onto the major league roster, basically forcing the Cubs to add him to the roster when he led the Cactus League in hitting and runs batted in.

Esmailin Caridad was expected to have a good shot at a bullpen spot if he performed in spring training, which he did.  Cubs fans first saw Caridad and his impressive fastball when he made a few appearances in late 2009. Right hander Justin Berg pitched 12 innings for the Cubs in 2009 but will still be considered a rookie this season as well.

James Russell was the dark horse bullpen candidate who came out of nowhere as a non-roster invitee to  camp and pitched himself into a bullpen job. Russell has yet to throw a single pitch in the majors. One of these three pitchers will likely be sent down to the minors when Ted Lilly returns from the disabled list. As they’re all low paid rookies, it will basically come down to performance and pitching well enough to keep their spot.

Tyler Colvin is expected to get a couple of starts a week.  The Cubs did not want to bring him to the majors and let him sit on the bench so they will try and get him playing time and again, if he can play well he’ll earn it.  Colvin is fortunate to be able to play all three outfield spots, a trait that helped him win a spot and will get him more playing opportunities.

It looks like Tyler Colvin and Xavier Nady will be chomping at the bit for more playing time so Kosuke Fukudome better perform well because despite his guaranteed contract, the Cubs will want to put the best team on the field. For that matter, Soriano better watch his back too. May the best outfielders win.

Go Cubs!

Related Stories:
Colvin’s spring makes decision easy – Chicago Tribune
Russell unlikely member of Cubs’ roster – Chicago Tribune
Tyler Colvin Rookie Card