Chicago Cubs release NRI list, 21 players on it

The Chicago Cubs released the non-player invitees, 21 players on the list including Brandon Morrow and Danny Hultzen.

The Chicago  Cubs released the non-player invitees, and there were a couple of big invites. Brandon Morrow and Danny Hultzen. Morrow didn’t pitch last season, and Hultzen pitched 3 1/3 innings in six games.  Morrow was hampered by a radial nerve and was out of commission for the season. Morrow was thought to be done with the Cubs, but not quite.

As of that, there isn’t much as far as non-roster invitees. C.D. Pelham has a high-upside, but he hasn’t the best numbers in the minors. He’s only had a 1.95 through 27 2/3 innings in high-A ball. Other than that, he’s been disappointing. Maybe the Cubs could change that.

Oscar De La Cruz is an interesting one. He received an 80-game suspension for using a masking agent, Furosemide, in 2018. Obviously, they’ve stuck with him. Either through his talent or his apology. But either way, he’s been retained, so he needs to make the most of it.

There’s not much here. Dakota Mekkes, Trent Giambrone, Jhonny Pereda and Josh Phegley with a  but slim to none chance. And none just left town. Hernan Perez has a decent chance to make. In 2016 through 2018, he hit an average of 16 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 45 RBI. He had an off-year, but the Cubs hope they can turn him around.

These are the 21 non-roster invitees being invited to camp. A few of them, three to six, will have a chance to make it. Hultzen and Morrow should make it. Perez should, too. As far as three other three? Good luck. Hopefully, players will have a good camp and bust out. Giambrone had a breakout year, hitting 23 home runs in 126 games but only hit .241.

These are the players, and this is where they’ll come from. Many will get sent down early in camp. But a few will make a note on the coaches and stay up. Who will it be?