Pitching in 2023 World Baseball Classic moment of growth for Cubs' Javier Assad
MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs already have one player who used the World Baseball Classic to take a leap forward in his development.
Right-hander Javier Assad was coming off his debut MLB season, with only nine games under his belt, entering the 2023 WBC. He left Cubs camp to pitch for Mexico and proved what a difference-maker he could be in a multi-inning relief role. He allowed only two hits in 5⅔ scoreless innings in the course of the tournament.
‘‘Big moments against great teams,’’ Mexico manager Benji Gil said of Assad’s outings against the United States in pool play and Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals. ‘‘There’s a handful of guys in the world that have faced the lineups he just faced and dominated.’’
Much of the talk about the WBC centers on the honor the players feel to represent their countries and on the challenges the schedule presents as teams gear up for the regular season. For many players, however, the big-game atmosphere has its developmental advantages, as well.
‘‘If you can get to the final rounds, those games are just so much fun that you get to re-create feelings that you have in October games,’’ Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. ‘‘And those are invaluable experiences.’’
The WBC has more MLB star power this year than ever — quite literally. A record 78 MLB All-Stars, including 36 who got the nod last season, were featured on rosters as of Feb. 5. Thirteen players from the Cubs’ organization are set to participate.
Assad is one of them, and he’s expected to play an even larger role for Mexico in this tournament.
‘‘Last time, it was a really great experience, really happy with it,’’ Assad said through an interpreter. ‘‘And I’ll go on to this one looking for new goals in the tournament.’’
Said Gil: ‘‘I’m just really looking forward to him pitching for us and then afterwards going and establishing himself as one of the better pitchers in the National League.’’
Outfield competition
The Cubs’ position-player group is largely set, but the competition for bench roles — and particularly a potential spot for a fourth outfielder — will be something to watch.
Matt Shaw has been taking fly balls in the outfield in preparation for a super-utility role and certainly will factor into the equation. Outside of the Cubs’ three regular starters — left fielder Ian Happ, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and right fielder Seiya Suzuki — the Cubs have five other outfielders in camp.
Kevin Alcantara and Justin Dean, whom the Cubs claimed off waivers this offseason, are on the 40-man roster. Brett Bateman, Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick are non-roster invitees.
Tyler Austin has played outfield in his career and likely will take fly balls as the Cubs make contingency plans, but Counsell said he sees Austin more as a first baseman.
Lefty options
The Cubs’ bullpen featured three left-handers for stretches of last season, giving Counsell more options against left-handed-heavy lineups. They have five left-handed relievers in camp this year, including returnee Caleb Thielbar and offseason additions Hoby Milner and Ryan Rolison.