Matt Szczur, Brett Jackson Shine In Intrasquad Game

The Chicago Cubs won their first game of the 2012 calendar year. The only catch was that it was against the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs first game of 2012 was an intrasquad game as the team made up of mostly the “future Cubs” challenged the team that looked more like what the Opening Day lineup will look like. I will be the first to admit that there is probably too much stock being put into this game, but being that this is a baseball website and for the first time since 2011 there was a game that featured our beloved Chicago Cubs. With that in mind lets take a look at some of the highlights.

• Trade Marlon Byrd and trade Alfonso Soriano right now, Matt Szczur and Brett Jackson should be on the Major League roster right now. That is what the common fan may suggest after reading about the performances that Szczur and Jackson put forth in the Cubs’ intrasquad game on Friday. Szczur had a grand slam while going 3-for-4 including a double and scoring from second base on a sacrifice fly to the outfield. Meanwhile, Jackson went 2-for-3 including a home run to leadoff the game against starting pitcher Travis Wood.
• Speaking of Wood, the starter gave up six runs over three innings. Wood did pitch a perfect inning in the third before retiring from the game. It is worth noting that the wind was blowing out. Nonetheless, Wood’s line in the intrasquad game is nothing to be concerned about.

The bottom-line is that no position battle or spot on the 25 man roster will be one during an intrasquad game. Wood is still a strong candidate to be in the Cubs’ starting rotation, just as it is highly likely that both Jackson and Szczur will begin the year in the Cubs’ farm system. The only exception may be Jackson, who with a strong Spring showing, could earn a spot on the 25 man roster. That spot could also come in the form of Marlon Byrd being traded before Opening Day. One thing is for certain, when Jackson is a part of the 25 man roster, the Cubs’ top prospect will be an everyday player.