Spring Training Preview: The Non-roster Hitters

Here's some info on each of the non-roster invitees that are position players.



Welington Castillo

• Catcher


• B/T: right


• .298 BA in 57 games with 5 HR at AA in 2008.


• 1 game at AAA last season.


• .273 BA in 33 games with 12 RBI.


• 21 years old.


• 3 years in the Cubs organization.


• Has yet to make MLB debut.

Steve Clevenger

• Catcher


• Bats: Left Throws: Right


• Drafted in the 7th round of the 2006 draft by the Cubs.


• .313 BA in 84 games at Class A Daytona in 2008.


• .247 BA in 29 games at AA.


• .302 BA in 17 games with Mesa in the Arizona Fall League last fall.


• 22 years old.


• Has yet to make MLB debut.

Mark Johnson

• Catcher


• Bats:Left Throws:Right


• Drafted by the White Sox in the first round of the 1994 draft.


• 8 major league seasons.


• .294 BA in 10 games with the Cardinals in 2008.


• .264 BA, 1 HR, 31 RBI with AAA Memphis in the St. Louis organization.


• Returns to the Cubs organization after playing with AAA Iowa in 2005.


• Has played with the White Sox, A's, Brewers, D-backs, and Cubs organizations.


• 33 years old

Darwin Barney

• SS


• B/T: Right


• Selected by the Cubs in the 4th round of the 2007 draft.


• 23 years old


• .302 BA, 11 RBI, 1 HR in 23 games for Mesa in the Arizona Fall League.


• .262 BA, 51 RBI, 3 HR in 123 games with Daytona in 2008.


• Has yet to make MLB debut.

Andres Blanco

• SS


• Bats: Switch Throws: Right


• Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Royals in 2000.


• 78 career big league game, all with the Royals. (.252 career average)


• 2008 was first year in Cubs organization.


• .285 BA, 36 RBI, 1 HR in 102 games with AAA Iowa last season.


• 24 years old.

Luis Rivas

• Infielder, mostly 2B.


• B/T: Right


• Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Twins in 1995.


• 8 major league seasons.


• Has played with Twins (1996-05), Rays (2006), Indians (2007), and Pirates (2008).


• .218 BA, 20 RBI, 3 HR in 79 games with the Pirates in 2008.


• .257 career average.


• 29 years old

Bobby Scales

• 2B/3B/OF
• Bats: Switch Throws: Right
• Selected in the 14th round of the 1999 draft by the Padres
• 10 minor league seasons, has yet to make MLB debut
• Played with Phillies, Red Sox, and Padres organizations before the Cubs.
• 2008 was his first year in the Cubs organization.
• 31 years old.
• .320 BA, 59 RBI, 15 HR in 121 games with Iowa in 2008.

Doug Deeds

• OF
• B/T: Left
• Selected by the Twins in the 9th round of the 2002 draft.
• 26 years old
• 2008 was first year in Cubs organization.
• Played in Twins system for 6 years.
• .325 BA, 12 HR, 58 RBI in 122 games at AA a year ago.

Jason Dubois

• OF
• B/T: Right
• Selected by the Cubs in the 14th round of the 2000 draft.
• Played with Cubs organization from 2001-05, then traded to the Indians.
• Return to the Cubs organization last year on a minor league deal.
• .233 BA in 86 career big league games.
• .307 BA, 25 HR, 56 RBI, in 76 games last season at AAA.
• 29 years old

So Taguchi

• OF
• B/T: Right
• Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cardinals in 2002.
• 666 career big league games.
• 39 years old
• .220 BA, 9 RBI, 0 HR in 88 games for the Phillies last season.

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