Candelario Not Concerned About Fit
MESA, Ariz.–Third baseman Jeimer Candelario, whose breakout 2015 season caught the attention of the organization, has done the same in his first big league camp.
But how far can it get him, with Kris Bryant, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, locked in at third base for the Cubs? Switching to first base is not an option, not with Anthony Rizzo there, and Kyle Schwarber on standby.
As the Cubs’ young position-player core becomes established, Candelario won’t be the only blocked prospect.
“We all like him. It’s no big secret,” big league manager Joe Maddon said.
“Sometimes you look at a position and you say, ‘That’s really a thick position. When does this guy get a chance to play?’ And then you find out way too soon. So you just keep it rolling, keep moving him forward.”
Candelario, a switch-hitter, earned starts in six out of seven Cactus League games at one point, going 10-for-21 with five extra-base hits, including two homers, in that stretch.
“I’ve just got to keep working hard,” said Candelario, 22, who signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2010. “When you play hard, good things are going to happen.”
Candelario, who hit .277/.339/.432 in 128 games last year at high Class A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennessee, seemed more concerned with making an impression than wondering where he might fit in Chicago.
“When they give me an opportunity,” Candelario said, “I’ve just got to take advantage and do the best that I can to help the team win. And I’ve got to keep learning.
“I’ve got to work hard and dominate wherever I’m going to be this season.”
Said Maddon: “Your depth’s always going to be challenged. The big thing with a guy like (Candelario) is to keep him working, (and) hopefully it plays out the way you think it’s going to. (We’ve got to) get him ready and then see what happens at that point.”
CUBBYHOLE
• Righthander Duane Underwood, the system’s top pitching prospect, experienced elbow stiffness as camp opened and didn’t pitch in a game before he was reassigned to the minor league side with the first round of cuts. Maddon said Underwood was healthy and on a throwing program as he headed out.
• Righthander Ryan Williams, the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2015, joined big league camp as a non-roster invite just as camp opened. Then he pitched nine scoreless innings in his first three Cactus League appearances with only one walk.
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