Smokies Alums In Spring Training Camps
The date is finally here, as pitchers and catchers have started to report to their Spring Training camps, with many already arriving early. Once again, there are many former Smokies who will be looking to start the season with their Major League clubs, with 83 total alums either on a Major League team's 40-man roster, or among a club's non-roster invitees list.
In total, 26 of 30 Major League teams have at least one player who has worn a Smokies uniform in their professional career, including all 15 National League clubs. The Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners are currently the only MLB teams who do not have a former Smoky slated to join them in their big league camps.
Not surprisingly, the Chicago Cubs have by far the most of any team with 28 former Smokies reporting, which includes 11 who played in at least one game with Tennessee in 2014. Next are the Miami Marlins with six, followed by four each from the Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox. In addition, the Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals all have three invited to take part in their big league camps.
56 of those 83 alums are currently on a 40-man roster, while 27 players have been invited to big league camp as non-roster invitees. In addition to the 11 2014 Smokies on the Chicago Cubs' Spring Training roster, there are four other players that also played in at least one contest with Tennessee last season.
Without further ado, here is the complete list of players. Players italicized have been invited to big league camp as non-roster invitees, while players with "ML" next to their names played with the Smokies on a Major League Rehab Assignment.
| Atlanta (4) |
| James Russell (2008-09) |
| Arodys Vizcaino (2014) |
| Donnie Veal (2007-08) |
| Jose Veras (2014) - ML |
| Miami (6) |
| Dan Haren (2003) |
| Andrew McKirahan (2014) |
| Justin Bour (2012-13) |
| Chris Narveson (2003-04) |
| Tyler Colvin (2007-09) |
| Reed Johnson (2001) |
| New York Mets (1) |
| Anthony Recker (2012) |
| Philadelphia (1) |
| Russ Canzler (2009-10) |
| Washington (3) |
| Jerry Blevins (2007) |
| Jayson Werth (2001) |
| Dan Uggla (2005) |
| Chicago Cubs (28) |
| Jake Arrieta (2014) - ML |
| Dallas Beeler (2011-13) |
| Felix Doubront (2014) - ML |
| C.J. Edwards (2014) |
| Eric Jokisch (2011-13) |
| Blake Parker (2009-11) |
| Neil Ramirez (2013) |
| Zac Rosscup (2012-13) |
| Brian Schlitter (2009, 12-13) |
| Welington Castillo (2008-09, 12) |
| Rafael Lopez (2013-14) |
| Miguel Montero (2005-06) |
| Arismendy Alcantara (2013) |
| Javier Baez (2013) |
| Starlin Castro (2009-10) |
| Christian Villanueva (2013-14) |
| Junior Lake (2011-12) |
| Jorge Soler (2014) |
| Matt Szczur (2012-13) |
| Corey Black (2014) |
| Hunter Cervenka (2013-14) |
| Pierce Johnson (2014) |
| Armando Rivero (2014) |
| Kris Bryant (2014) |
| Addison Russell (2014) |
| Logan Watkins (2012) |
| Albert Almora (2014) |
| Cincinnati (1) |
| Skip Schumaker (2003-04) |
| Milwaukee (2) |
| Matt Garza (2013) - ML |
| Jim Henderson (2007-08) |
| Pittsburgh (1) |
| Wilkin Castillo (2006) |
| St. Louis (3) |
| Yadier Molina (2003) |
| Mark Reynolds (2006) |
| Marcus Hatley (2011-13) |
| Arizona (1) |
| Blake Lalli (2008-11) |
| Colorado (3) |
| Chris Rusin (2010-12) |
| DJ LeMahieu (2011) |
| Carlos Gonzalez (2006) |
| Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Darwin Barney (2009) |
| Ryan Buchter (2010-11) |
| San Diego (3) |
| Andrew Cashner (2009-11) |
| Jay Jackson (2009) |
| Marcos Mateo (2009-10, 13) |
| San Francisco (1) |
| Casey McGehee (2007) |
| Baltimore (3) |
| Steve Clevenger (2008-11) |
| Ryan Flaherty (2010-11) |
| Mark Hendrickson (1999-00) |
| Boston (0) |
| New York Yankees (1) |
| Stephen Drew (2005) |
| Tampa Bay Rays (3) |
| Chris Archer (2010) |
| Jeff Beliveau (2011) |
| Brandon Guyer (2009-10) |
| Toronto (1) |
| Jake Fox (2007-08) |
| Chicago White Sox (4) |
| Jeff Samardzija (2007-08) |
| Emilio Bonifacio (2014) - ML |
| Geovany Soto (2009, 11) - ML |
| Tony Campana (2010) |
| Cleveland (0) |
| Detroit (2) |
| Alberto Cabrera (2010-13) |
| Rafael Dolis (2010-12) |
| Kansas City (1) |
| Casey Coleman (2009) |
| Minnesota (0) |
| Houston (3) |
| Marwin Gonzalez (2010-11) |
| Darin Downs (2008) |
| Luis Flores (2011-12, 14) |
| Los Angeles Angels (1) |
| Charlie Cutler (2014) |
| Oakland (1) |
| Sam Fuld (2007-08) |
| Seattle (0) |
| Texas (3) |
| Kyuji Fujikawa (2013) |
| Robinson Chirinos (2007-10) |
| Ross Ohlendorf (2006) |
Chicago Cubs pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Mesa, Arizona on Thursday, February 18, with the first pitchers and catchers workout the next day. The full squad is scheduled to report on Tuesday, February 24, with the first full squad workout on the subsequent day. The Cubs' first Spring Training games are scheduled for Thursday, March 5th with a pair of split squad games against the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants.
The Cubs' full Spring Training schedule can be viewed by clicking here.
Most games will be broadcast online at Cubs.com, with Smokies Director of Broadcasting Mick Gillispie joining Cubs TV commentator Len Kasper. The full broadcast schedule can be viewed here.