Cubs Sign Prospect Narciso Crook to Minor League Deal

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Cody Delmendo | Last updated 11/18/21

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.

Long time #Reds minor leaguer Narciso Crook is signed with the Chicago Cubs. He had been with the Reds since 2013 when he was drafted as a 17-year-old out of Rowan College of South Jersey.

Best handle on twitter – @ThatOutfielder . Also perhaps the nicest dude in baseball.
— Doug Gray (@dougdirt24) November 18, 2021

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.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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