Chicago Cubs: Talking ‘Cubs Way’ with prospect Trent Giambrone

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

A former 25th round pick of the Chicago Cubs, Trent Giambrone might not be a name you’re familiar with. But this is a guy who’s hungry to prove himself.

Guys who aren’t taken in the first round don’t roll around in flashy sports cars or sign multi-million dollar signing bonuses to tide them over throughout the Minor League grind. Usually, they know more about that grind than they’d like to admit, having worked their way through high school and, perhaps college to get to this moment – playing in the farm system for a big league organization such as the Chicago Cubs.

But 24-year-old infielder Trent Giambrone embraces the grind that got him to where he is today. Initially, he passed on beginning his professional career. The Los Angeles Dodgers took him in the 30th round of the 2012 MLB Draft – but Giambrone put his dreams on hold.

“I had a lot of growing up to do,” he told me when we spoke earlier this month. “When that opportunity (to go to college) came around, it was a no-brainer for me – I was going to take the opportunity to go to college and be the first person in my family to get an education.”

The Metairie, Louisiana native first headed to Jones County Junior College college about two hours from home. Not only did he have plenty of learning to do in the classroom, but he started learning how to play infield for the first time – something he called a “big transition”.

(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Turning challenges into teaching moments

Looking back at it now as a member of the Cubs, an organization that openly embraces guys who play multiple positions, Giambrone is nothing but thankful for this challenge he faced.

“That’s only helped me now because of how many positions I play. With the Cubs, you have to play different positions. Most everybody on the team plays every other spot.”

After a couple of years at Jones County, Giambrone transferred to Delta State University, where he made a name for himself as a defensive standout in his senior year. He started all 59 games, making just four errors in 284 opportunities. Those efforts helped him net both the ABAC-Rawlings Gold Glove as well as the ABCA-Rawlings Defensive Player of the Year.

And that’s not to take away from what he did at the plate. Giambrone tied for the team lead in home runs, swiped 11-of-16 bags and batted .386 – including a scorching .650 (13-for-20) mark in the GSC Tournament, where he earned Most Outstanding Player.

All of this culminated in interest from multiple big league clubs. Of course, one of those organizations? The Chicago Cubs. The team invited him to work out at Wrigley Field – something he says he’ll never forget.

“I was able to work out for a few teams and the Cubs had a workout at Wrigley, so that was absolutely amazing. To get to meet everyone at Wrigley as far as coordinators, scouting directors, front office guys – it was an incredible experience to just walk into that ballpark. “
Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs /

Chicago Cubs: Learning along the way, taking it all in

After the Cubs selected Giambrone with their 25th round pick that June, he got his feet wet in professional baseball. He appeared in 51 games for the Low-A Eugene Emeralds, putting up an .837 OPS in his first taste of the action.

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That fall, of course, the Cubs snapped their infamous 108-year title drought, rallying from down three-games-to-one against the Cleveland Indians in the Fall Classic. The next spring, Giambrone got the chance to go to big league camp in Arizona – with the reigning World Series champions.

“Even though I didn’t have anything to really do with it (the World Series title), I found myself caught up in it. When it was all said and done, it was exciting and going to Spring Training the next year, I was fortunate enough to be in one of the first big league games,” he said. “I didn’t get to play, but I went to the home opener and to be in front of all those people and see everything. Just to be in the dugout was absolutely mind-blowing.”

He struggled a bit in his first full season, something Giambrone described as full of learning experiences – hardly a surprise for any minor leaguer. But the lessons he brought with him from his college days paid dividends and, in 2018, he bounced back in a big way, setting career-highs in home runs, doubles and runs batted in for the Tennessee Smokies.

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Making a name for himself, one step at a time

In just two-plus years in the Cubs organization, the 24-year-old has learned a lot about the Cubs Way. And, if you ask him, he swears it’s much more than just a tagline kicked around by guys like Theo Epstein and Joe Maddon. It’s a way of conducting yourself and holding yourself accountable – both on and off the diamond.

“The best way I can explain it would be – everything done at the top level is preached throughout every single level,” Giambrone said. “The Cubs Way is preached in every single meeting you have. You see it on the walls. You see the Respect 90. These things go on every single day … Everyone is bought into it. Everyone tries to be Cub. You take a lot of pride in hearing, ‘Hey man, that’s Cub.'”

According to MLB.com, Giambrone wraps up the 2018 campaign as the organization’s 29th-ranked prospect. And with good reason, too. The young infielder continues to improve at the plate and shows the same defensive versatility we’ve come to expect from Chicago prospects in recent years.

He earned a Cubs’ Organizational All-Star nod recently – and torched Arizona Fall League pitching alongside middle infield teammate Nico Hoerner, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2018. Giambrone turned heads in AFL action with a .327/.400/.490 line in 12 games, swiping two bags and hitting two home runs.

Next. Will Hoerner force the Cubs' hand sooner rather than later?. dark

Heading into 2019, Trent Giambrone knows he has a ways to go before he hears his name over the PA at Wrigley Field. But he’s taking it all in stride, learning from both the highs and the lows the grind of a minor league season offers – and focusing turning it all into something he can build on.

The biggest thing I want to focus on is being in the moment, not getting caught up on outside things. We all want to be great. We want to be in the big leagues, but most importantly, I want to focus on being myself every single night and being a professional every single night.
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