A whole new ball game: Searching for Cubs, Sox questions in a routine spring training

The first rule of spring training, preseason, exhibitions — whatever designation fits — is none of it matters.

Even in a mostly individual sport like baseball, performance can be deceiving. If a batter hits well, it might be because he's getting generic pitches, while the true scouting report is saved for when the games count.

A struggling pitcher might be experimenting with different grips, or new pitches, or simply trying to get the arm in shape.

So there's not a whole lot to be answered on either side of town this spring. Barring an unexpected trade, the Cubs lineup is set.

The White Sox basically have their main 11 with the two catchers. Maybe a couple things worth watching are if they plan on using Munetaka Murakami as the primary first baseman and if fellow newcomer Luisangel Acuna, listed as an infielder, can handle center field.

So let's try to come up with a few relevant questions as the Cubs and Sox get rolling in Arizona. They’ll play each other in the spring opener Friday in Mesa.

Is playing in the WBC a good thing?

Generally, yes. A World Baseball Classic game is essentially no different from a spring game in Arizona. At times the level of competition will be higher and some players might be put in high-pressure situations, which has got to be helpful.

The White Sox have one of the smallest WBC contingents among MLB teams, with five participants. The Royals have 17, in comparison, while the Mets and Mariners lead with 18, according to mlb.com.

Kyle Teel and Sam Antonacci probably won't be stressed playing for Italy. But Seranthony Dominguez, coming off pitching in the World Series for Toronto, could end up closing games for the Dominican Republic. Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia should get important innings for Venezuela.

Meanwhile, fans can expect to get a chance to see Murakami and the Cubs' Seiya Suzuki in the same lineup for Japan.

A potential downside would be going to the WBC and not playing much. That shouldn't be an issue for the three Cubs on Team USA — Pete Crow Armstrong, Alex Bregman and pitcher Matthew Boyd. There are four outfielders on the U.S. roster, and an injury to Arizona's Corbin Carroll might guarantee PCA more playing time. The other outfielders are Aaron Judge. Byron Buxton and now Boston's Roman Anthony as an injury replacement.

Bregman figures to be the primary third baseman, though Toronto's Ernie Clement, listed as a utility player, got most of his starts at third the past two years. The U.S. also has both Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson at shortstop.

The Cubs have 12 players going to the WBC, including five minor leaguers. The other participants from the 40-man roster are pitchers Jameson Taillon for Canada and Javier Assad for Mexico.

Can Sox pitching prospects get back on track?

One storyline that will be important throughout the year is whether the White Sox top pitching prospects can bounce back.

Oswego native Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith were the top-two left-handed pitching prospects in baseball at one point, but both lost momentum last season.

In the most recent MLB Pipeline rankings, Schultz is ranked the No. 49 overall prospect, with Smith at No. 72. Meanwhile, right-hander Tanner McDougal is threatening to push into the top echelon of Sox pitching hopefuls.

When camp opened this week, both Schultz and Smith said they felt healthy and expect better results.

“I have a ton of goals,” Schultz said. “Staying healthy is the No. 1 thing.”

Added Smith, “I feel I got a lot better this offseason and I want to prove it.”

Can these teams manage pitching depth?

This task should be easier for the Sox, since there is little chance Schultz, Smith or McDougal open the season with the big-league club. Drew Thorpe, coming off Tommy John surgery, talked about having some setbacks in his recovery, so he won't be ready for a while, and the other pitchers can progress at their own pace.

The Cubs ran low on effective arms in last year's playoffs and worked on a plan to protect starter depth. Basically, no matter what happens in the spring (besides a bunch of injuries), the pitchers with minor-league options left will start in the minors. The list likely includes Assad, Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks and top prospect Jaxon Wiggins.

They expect to open with Boyd, Taillon, Cade Horton, Edward Cabrera and Shota Imanaga in the rotation, with Colin Rea as the extra starter/long reliever.

Justin Steele's recovery from elbow surgery is going well. In an ideal Cubs world, Steele comes back after the all-star break feeling energized and ready to peak in October.