According to Baseball America, the Cubs released seven players from the system.
RHP Matt Loosen, RHP Brad Renner, LHP Jeff Lorick, 1B Shane Kennedy, INF Alex Tomasovich, OF Shamil Ubiera and OF Charlie White have been released by the Cubs and are eligible to sign with another organization.
And four players that spent time in the Cubs’ organization were recently released by other teams: OF Aaron Cunningham (Diamondbacks), LHP James Leverton (Marlins), C Lance Rymel (Rockies) and C Yaniel Cabezas (Rays).
• Full Report from Baseball America
RHP Matt Loosen – Loosen turns 26 on April 10 and spent last season with Double-A Tennessee. The Cubs selected the right hander in the 23rd round of the 2010 draft. Loosen appeared in 26 games for the Smokies last year and made 19 starts. Loosen was 5-5 with a 5.77 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. In 106 innings, Loosen allowed 93 hits with 69 walks and 96 strikeouts.
• Matt Loosen’s Page on Baseball-Reference
LHP Jeff Lorick – The Cubs selected the southpaw in the 20th round of the 2009 draft. Lorick spent last season with Matt Loosen in Double-A Tennessee. The 27-year old has not advanced beyond the Double-A level. Lorick posted a 2-3 record with a 4.52 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 46 relief appearances last year. Lorick gave up 59 hits with 29 walks and 58 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings.
• Jeff Lorick’s Page on Baseball-Reference
RHP Brad Renner – Renner was selected in the 28th round of the 2013 draft and pitched in four games after he signed with the Cubs. Renner pitched six innings for the AZL Cubs in the Rookie League and surrendered just two hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. Renner had Tommy John surgery last year and missed the season. Renner turns 24 in May.
• Brad Renner’s Page on Baseball-Reference
1B Shane Kennedy – The Cubs signed Shane Kennedy to a minor league contract in early March. Kennedy, a non-drafted free agent, struggled during his senior season at Clemson after putting up good numbers as a junior. Kennedy did not play a game in the Cubs system.
INF Alex Tomasovich – The Cubs selected Tomasovich in the 20th round of last June’s draft. Tomasovich played in 37 games with the Boise Hawks and put together good numbers. The 23-year old batted .311/.372/.371 with six doubles and a triple for a .744 OPS. Tomasovich played mostly first base (18 games) but lined up at all four positions in the infield.
• Alex Tomasovich’s Page on Baseball-Reference
OF Shamil Ubiera – The right-handed hitting right fielder spent last season in the Arizona Rookie League. Ubiera batted .206/.259/.299 in 34 games with seven doubles, a home run and a .558 OPS. The 22-year old hit .301/.375/.441 in the Dominican Summer League as a 20-year old in 2013.
• Shamil Ubiera’s Page on Baseball-Reference
OF Charlie White – The Cubs selected the 23-year old Charlie White in the 21st round of last June’s draft. The Naperville North product played in 36 games for the Boise Hawks last season. White batted .200/.306/.259 with three doubles, a triple and a .565 OPS. White also pitched in two games and was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP (one run on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk in four innings). White spent a majority of his time in left field (26 games) but also saw time in center (three games) and right field (two games).
• Charlie White’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Unfortunately it’s the time of year that can be very difficult for players on the bubble trying to stick with an organization. It is easy to look at stats and focus solely on a player’s performance but all too often the human element of the game is forgotten.
