On the first day of minor league free agency, the Chicago Cubs signed outfielder Narciso Crook to a minor-league contract, per Bobby Nightengale of Enquirer.
Crook has been a member of the Reds organization since 2013. Cincinnati drafted him right out of high school at 17 years old. He’s now 26 and played the last two minor league seasons at Triple-A Louisville.
Crook finished the 2021 season with a .244/.354/.451 slash line. In his seven years in the minor leagues, he owns a .740 OPS in 518 career games.
Why It Matters
This appears to be a depth piece addition for the Cubs, similar to the role Rafael Ortega was entering last season. Ortega, of course, has major league experience and bounced around the last several years. Nonetheless, Narciso Crook will bring organizational depth to Triple-A Iowa and the Cubs can utilize him as an emergency call-up if the MLB club needs someone to cover a roster spot due to an injury.
He did post an OPS over .800 last season, however. Crook may finally get the call to the show this season with the Cubs if he plays well enough in Iowa.
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