Youngsters

When talking about the last spots available on the 25-man roster this spring, names like Mark Prior, Wade Miller and Neal Cotts were easily mentioned for the fifth spot in the rotation. As of late, Angel Guzman’s name was also being brought up as a contender.

That opportunity may have taken a step backward today as Guzman, getting his first starting assignment of the spring, allowed five runs in three and a third innings. The White Sox did not pulverize the young man. He only allowed one walk and one extra base hit. The Sox simply hit as a team, gaining baserunner after baserunner.

Guzman has a lot of talent and could be the next Carlos Zambrano. He may have to spend a part of the year in Iowa before securing a spot for the long run.

There is only one place left in the bullpen and a lot of names are in the hat. Roberto Novoa and Michael Wuertz are used to being easily penciled in, but both had been hurt until today. Both had good one inning outings. Yet Rocky Cherry, who was bounced for a game ending run the other day, still has a good chance at being the chosen one. He finished a rough fifth inning started by non-roster Ryan O’Malley. O’Malley left three on with one out. Cherry got the last two out, allowing only one of the three runners to score. Then he knocked the Sox down in the sixth to finish his time on the mound.

So as it stands, Miller is the front runner for the fifth spot in the rotation, while Cherry could wind up the thirteenth man on the staff.

Hitting-wise, besides Matt Murton’s solo home run in the second, the most excitement the Cubs stirred was a three run double by non-roster Casey McGehee in the top of the ninth which briefly tied the game. McGehee has the kind of flexability that Manager Lou Piniella likes, being able to catch and play first and third. Still, mighty Casey is only hitting .222 this spring. The final roster spot could go to either infielder Tomas Perez or outfielders Felix Pie and Buck Coats. Perez and Pie are both hitting over .300 while Coats is swatting a nice .406.

It is always fun to watch the youngsters battle for their ground. There are still two weeks and three weekends left. A lot can still happen.