One of the many overlooked players in the system is OF John Andreoli. The Cubs selected Andreoli in the 17th round of the 2011 draft. Andreoli was a Southern League All-Star in 2014 and he spent last season playing all three outfield spots in Triple-A Iowa.
Andreoli was one of the 18 players that received a non-roster invite to Spring Training. The 25-year old will spend a majority of Spring Training in big league camp for the first time.
Along with Andreoli, the Cubs also invited prospects RHP Felix Pena, RHP Armando Rivero, RHP Duane Underwood Jr., OF Albert Almora Jr. and C Taylor Davis.
John Andreoli hits and bats from the right side and he knows how to get on base. Plus, Andreoli can swipe a base or two. Andreoli was one stolen base short last season of leading the Cubs entire system in stolen bases for the third time in his five year career.
Andreoli had a rough year in 2014 despite making the All-Star team. Andreoli hurt his wrist swinging a bat and tried to play through the injury. Andreoli hit only .211/.329/.249 in 61 games, by far the worst year of his career.
Last season, Andreoli played 106 games for Triple-A Iowa. Andreoli missed time with groin and oblique injuries but still stole 33 bases and was 33-for-45 on the bases. Andreoli posted a .372 OBP, the fourth time in his career he posted at least a .350 on-base percentage.
Andreoli finished the year with a .277/.372/.401 slash line. Andreoli had 20 doubles, six triples and five home runs for a .773 OPS. Andreoli collected 105 hits and walked 55 times with 97 strikeouts in 448 plate appearances.
Defensively, Andreoli played 42 games in center, 26 in left field and 39 in right field. Andreoli could be a very serviceable fifth outfielder in the big leagues due to his ability to play all three outfield spots.
John Andreoli was labeled as a ‘gamer’ by his former manager at Double-A Tennessee, Buddy Bailey. Andreoli is a similar player to Matt Szczur and gives the Cubs another outfield option in the upper levels of the system. And he’s definitely one of the young players to keep an eye on in the spring.