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65 Smokies Alums In Big League Camps

Cubs Open Spring Training With 25 Former Smokies Expected
February 11, 2014

February 13th has arrived, meaning Chicago Cubs Spring Training in Mesa, Arizona has opened with pitchers and catchers reporting. The report date for Cubs position players is February 18. In total, 25 Tennessee Smokies alums will begin Major League camp with the Cubs, while 40 others have either been invited to their respective teams' Big League camps as non-roster invitees or are currently on their squad's 40-man roster.

Between the Cubs and 25 others squads, a total of 65 Smokies alums are slated to start the year in Major League camp with their respective teams. 15 of those players are in the American League and 25 on National League clubs excluding the Cubs. 19 are non-roster invitees, meaning those players are not currently on their club's 40-man roster but have been invited to at least start Spring Training in Big League camp.

In addition, 15 2013 Smokies were invited to Big League camps this Spring. Seven were non-roster invitees to the Cubs' camp, including right-handed pitchers Marcus Hatley, Kyle Hendricks, Armando Rivero and Brian Schlitter, left-handed hurler Eric Jokisch, catcher Rafael Lopez, and infielder Javier Baez. In addition, pitchers Dallas Beeler, Alberto Cabrera, and Zac Rosscup, infielder Christian Villaneva, along with outfielders Brett Jackson and Matt Szczur, will begin in Big League camp with the Cubs since they are on Chicago's 40-man roster. Three pitchers will be in other camps, including Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Matt Garza, who pitched with Tennessee on a Major League Rehab Assignment last year, Arizona Diamondbacks righty Marcus Mateo, and Los Angeles Angels hurler Yeiper Castillo.

Several free agents have not yet been signed but may participate in Spring Training, including infielder and 2005 Tennessee Smokie Stephen Drew.

Below is a list of all 65 Smokies alums who will begin this year in Big League camp with their respective teams.
 

* = Played with Tennessee on MLB Rehab Assignment
NRI = Non-Roster Invitee

Team Player Years With Smokies  
Arizona Tony Campana 2010  
Arizona Blake Lalli 2008-11 NRI
Arizona Marcus Mateo 2009-10, 13  
Arizona Miguel Montero 2006-07  
       
Atlanta Dan Uggla 2005  
       
Baltimore Steve Clevenger 2008-11  
Baltimore Ryan Flaherty 2010-11  
       
Boston Mike McCoy 2004 NRI
       
Chicago (AL) Donnie Veal 2007-08  
       
Chicago (NL) Javier Baez 2013 NRI
Chicago (NL) Darwin Barney 2009  
Chicago (NL) Dallas Beeler 2011-13  
Chicago (NL) Alberto Cabrera 2011-13  
Chicago (NL) Welington Castillo 2008-09  
Chicago (NL) Starlin Castro 2009-10  
Chicago (NL) Jaye Chapman* 2012  
Chicago (NL) Marcus Hatley 2011-13 NRI
Chicago (NL) Kyle Hendricks 2013 NRI
Chicago (NL) Brett Jackson 2010-11, 13  
Chicago (NL) Eric Jokisch 2013 NRI
Chicago (NL) Junior Lake 2011-12  
Chicago (NL) Rafael Lopez 2013 NRI
Chicago (NL) Blake Parker 2009-11  
Chicago (NL) Neil Ramirez 2013 NRI
Chicago (NL) Armando Rivero 2013 NRI
Chicago (NL) Zac Rosscup 2012-13  
Chicago (NL) Chris Rusin 2010-12  
Chicago (NL) James Russell 2008-09  
Chicago (NL) Jeff Samardzija 2007-08  
Chicago (NL) Brian Schlitter 2013 NRI
Chicago (NL) Matt Szczur 2012-13  
Chicago (NL) Christian Villanueva 2013  
Chicago (NL) Josh Vitters 2010-11  
Chicago (NL) Logan Watkins 2012  
       
Cincinnati Skip Schumaker 2004-05  
       
Colorado Carlos Gonzalez 2006  
Colorado DJ LeMahieu 2011  
       
Houston Darin Downs 2008  
Houston Marwin Gonzalez 2010-11  
       
Los Angeles (AL) Yeiper Castillo 2013  
       
Los Angeles (NL) Dan Haren 2003  
       
Miami Reed Johnson 2001 NRI
Miami James Leverton 2010 NRI
Miami Casey McGehee 2007  
       
Milwaukee Matt Garza* 2013  
Milwaukee Jim Henderson 2007-08  
Milwaukee Mark Reynolds 2006 NRI
       
Minnesota Brooks Raley 2011-12  
       
New York (AL) Russ Canzler 2009-10 NRI
       
New York (NL) Anthony Recker 2012  
       
Oakland Sam Fuld 2007-08 NRI
       
Pittsburgh Jay Jackson 2009 NRI
Pittsburgh Josh Kinney 2006 NRI
       
San Diego Andrew Cashner 2009-11  
San Diego Alberto Gonzalez 2006 NRI
       
San Francisco Rafael Dolis 2010-12 NRI
       
St Louis Yadier Molina 2003  
       
Tampa Bay Chris Archer 2010  
Tampa Bay Jeff Beliveau 2011  
Tampa Bay Brandon Guyer 2009-10  
       
Texas Jim Adduci 2009, 11-12  
Texas Robinson Chirinos 2007-10  
       
Washington Jerry Blevins 2007  
Washington Ross Ohlendorf 2006  
Washington Jayson Werth 2001  


The Cubs' will play their first Spring Training contest on February 27 in their brand-new complex in Mesa, Arizona. For the fourth straight season, Smokies Director of Broadcasting Mick Gillispie will broadcast games in Mesa with Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper on Cubs.com. All 23 broadcasts will be available for free on the site, with the entire broadcast schedule available here.