Former Cub Adam Greenberg Signs With Baltimore

It’s the story that every Cubs fan knows all too well.

Former Cubs’ prospect Adam Greenberg was plunked in the head by a fastball in his first major league at bat with the Chicago Cubs. Greenberg, who suffered a massive concussion in the process, was essentially never the same and could not continue his pursuit of his baseball dreams.

But after extensive rehabing efforts, the dream could be rekindled for Greenberg as he has inked a deal with the Baltimore Orioles in an attempt to jump start his baseball career.

You may remember late last season, the Miami Marlins gave Greenberg another professional at bat vs R.A. Dickey of the New York Mets. Dickey quickly struck Greenberg out on 3 pitches. This was much more of a publicity stunt than anything, but at the same time, you can’t help but encourage the guy for not quitting despite the severity of his injury.

Oct. 2, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins outfielder Adam Greenberg (10) watches his first pitch in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles now see value in Greenberg who played in the independent Atlantic League last season. His .263 career AVG in the minors is respectable but certainly nothing phenomenal. He’ll likely end up as a utility OF for the Orioles.

There has been much debate about how the Cubs handled the Greenberg situation: Epstein would not take him back in order to get his “other” major league at bat and many fans perceived that as insensitive or callus. They figured that in a late season game where the Cubs were already 20+ games behind a wild card spot that Greenberg could do no harm.

While I don’t exactly disagree with these fans, the bottom line is that baseball is a business. Epstein did the right thing by maintaining the sanctity of his lineup and would face equally as many critics for allowing an out of date former prospect eat up an AB for the Cubs. It’s a two sided coin with no right answer.

Interestingly enough, Greenberg had a big impact last season as R.A. Dickey beat out Clayton Kershaw for the NL strikeout crown by 1 K. Greenberg didn’t put up much of a fight during the AB taking a clean strike down the middle, then swinging haphazardly at knucklers outside the zone.

I wish Greenberg all the best in his major league pursuits.