Forrest gets past surprise medical issues to play final Cubs season

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Ethan Forrest sets to throw a pitch for the Cubs.

Ethan Forrest wants to create one last set of good memories in his final season with the Saskatoon Cubs, but he never foresaw the campaign taking an unexpected turn before it began.

As the 17-year-old second baseman and relief pitcher was training at Inside Pitch Saskatoon over the winter months, he started to notice what he believed was regular pain in his right throwing arm. At first, Forrest thought it was something that was going to go away.

The pain never went away. At a Cubs practice shortly before the under-18 AAA baseball club began playing exhibition games, Forrest asked the team’s coaches about the pain he was experiencing and a pattern that had developed on his arm. The coaches told their veteran player to see a doctor.

“It got really bad in kind of my armpit area, kind of the lat area, and that is when I knew it wasn’t any normal pain,” said Forrest. “I could hardly lift my arm.

“That is when we went into the hospital, and then I was diagnosed with a blood clot. A couple of weeks later, it was removed, but they found I had thoracic outlet syndrome. It is usually a pitcher syndrome.

“Max Scherzer in the MLB is just suffering from it right now. He is just getting off rehab for it. It is just kind of where you get a little bit of kind of build up of scar tissue from overuse and right under your clavicle bone there in your neck, and then it pinches off and kind of just forms a clot or you’ll have nerve damage.”

Scherzer, who is an ace right-handed pitcher who helped the Texas Rangers win the World Series last year, started his MLB season with a lengthy stay on the injured list with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome in his throwing arm. He saw his first action with the Rangers on June 23.

When Forrest first got his diagnosis, he thought he might miss the Cubs season.

Ethan Forrest was diagnosed with a blood clot.

“When they told me I had a blood clot, it is a pretty scary thing,” said Forrest, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 170 pounds. “The pain went away really quickly with the blood thinners, and I was playing almost a week later in pre-season.

“I didn’t know if it was going to be months or a few days. I was scared to miss the season for sure.”

Forrest has been thankful that everything that has been done to treat his blood clot and manage his thoracic outlet syndrome has worked. It allowed him to return to action with the Cubs in quick order.

Having just graduated Grade 12 from Holy Cross High School, Forrest has committed to joining the Miles Community College Pioneers Baseball Team in Miles City, Montana. He will play second base and third base for the Pioneers, who are part of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II ranks.

At the moment, Forrest is still taking blood thinners every day, and that has allowed him to play for the Cubs. He is considering options to further deal with his thoracic outlet syndrome after the Cubs season comes to an end.

“I just kind of have to be careful now,” said Forrest, who will turn 18-years-old on July 29. “Now, I play and lift weights with no pain anymore.

“The next step we are doing is just deciding with surgery and stuff before I head to college and what that is going to look like. We have to decide if we’re going to go with surgery now or not. We don’t really know yet.”

Once Forrest’s medical diagnosis was clear, Cubs co-head coach Jordan Frey said the team’s focus was to help the veteran standout get healed up.

“Obviously, it wasn’t something we wanted to deal with or foresaw coming, but it was something we did have to deal with,” said Frey. “We talked with him lots and wanted to make sure that he had our support as a coaching staff and as a team.

Ethan Forrest is dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome.

“Whatever decision he wanted to go down whether it was getting surgery or not being able to finish the rest of the year, we supported that decision. His health came first and foremost. Just to see him back on the field just shows how much he cares about the game and wants to be on our team and be a leader.”

Frey said the Cubs coaches weren’t worried if Forrest had to miss a few games or a lengthy amount of time to possibly the whole season. The team’s coaches were pumped, when Forrest made a quick return.

With that noted, Forrest’s workload on the pitching mound has been managed as he comes back from his medical challenges. When Forrest has come in to play relief, the Cubs coaches at first tried to limit him to an inning or two.

On June 30 at Cairns Field, the Cubs brain trust allowed Forrest to go a little longer. Forrest pitched an efficient three scoreless innings with one strikeout leaving the mound with the Cubs holding a 4-1 lead over the Saskatoon Diamondbacks after six innings. The Diamondbacks rallied scoring four runs in the top of the seventh to pull out a 5-4 victory after Forrest left the game.

Frey said the Cubs coaches were pretty inspired to get the superb three innings from Forrest.

“We know what we are getting with him on the mound,” said Frey. “He is going to be consistent.

“He is going to throw strikes. Thirty-three pitches in three innings is nothing we’re ever going to complain about. It is just one of those things we have to get him ramped back up again to a higher pitch count.”

Forrest has been a regular when it comes to playing second base, and Frey said his graduating veteran has been outstanding at that position.

Ethan Forrest has played regularly for the Cubs this season.

“Infielding wasn’t something he needed to take a step back on,” said Frey. “The throwing part he did a little bit.

“Obviously playing second base, it helps with a little bit of a shorter throw. Just being able to have him out there and being a third-year kid, it helps our team. You can see when he is in the lineup.

“The boys absolutely love having him around. Even when he was hurt, he was just on the bench trying to help out anyway he could.”

On offence, Forrest has gone 19-for-67 at the plate for a .284 average with 16 runs batted in as the Cubs have built a 18-8 record to battle for first place in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League. Looking at everything he has dealt with, Forrest is pleased with his season so far.

“I feel like it is going pretty good,” said Forrest. “We’re first in the league team wise, and we’re all having a good time this year.

“The team is performing really well. Personally, I think I am having a decent year. I always have stuff to improve on obviously on the offensive side.

“I’m happy with how my pitching is going right now for sure. It has been a fun year overall for sure.”

In 2022, Forrest took part in as many Cubs practices as he could as an affiliate player. He played that campaign full time with the Saskatoon Cardinal Sluggers Under-18 AA team, and he was around Cubs when they won their Saskatchewan title in that campaign.

He moved up to the Cubs on a full-time basis in 2023 as they had another stellar year but were unable to make it to the provincial final. Forrest believes the Cubs have all the pieces to win another provincial title and qualify for nationals, or make the provincial final and earn a spot to Westerns.

Ethan Forrest believes his Cubs can win a provincial title.

Forrest said a lot of the best memories he has have been made with the Cubs. Due to the challenges he has faced on the medical front this season, Forrest believes he is cherishing his final campaign with the team in a good new way, because he hasn’t had to spend large portions of the season out of the lineup.

“As a third year especially, it is my last kind of summer season here in Saskatoon,” said Forrest. “It is going to be tough one.

“With the clot as well, I’m fortunate enough to be healthy right now and playing with no pain. Definitely, I am very appreciative to be playing right now.”

Cubs’ Stromberg packs a punch with small size

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Osher Stromberg works behind the plate as the Cubs catcher.

Osher Stromberg said being small has its advantages when it comes to playing baseball.

“Really how I see it, I get a lot of walks because of it,” said Stromberg with a chuckle. “It really helps me, if anything.”

The 16-year-old second-year catcher with the Saskatoon Cubs baseball team stands 5-foot-4 and weighs 130 pounds. He is the smallest player in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s under-18 AAA level. Due to standing only 5-foot-4, opposing pitchers have a harder time hitting the strike zone when Stromberg is at the plate helping his on base percentage.

With that noted, Cubs assistant coach Jordan Frey said people who see the Cubs play quickly find out Stromberg is a good player and one of the top catchers at the under-18 AAA level in Saskatchewan.

“I think his game calling is probably one of the best in the league,” said Frey. “Obviously, he is not the biggest guy behind the plate, but he has a really good arm.

“He is able to get outs for us. He is a leader. He blocks the balls back there no matter what.

“We can play him at catcher when it is plus-35 out for two games, and he doesn’t complain. He puts the gear on, and he gives it 110 per cent every day.”

Frey said the Cubs coaches were always excited about bringing Stromberg to the Cubs believing they were going to get a good player. The bench boss added the squad had to use some misdirection in order to bring him to the team.

Osher Stromberg, left, chats with pitcher Jared Tameling.

In the Saskatoon Zone for minor baseball, players entering their 15-year-old seasons going to the under-18 AAA level are divided between the city’s three teams in the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Giants via a draft. Players go though a tryout process including skill session evaluations and playing in exhibition games amongst the group trying out.

The tryout process usually occurs in September for the upcoming season in the next calendar year. After the September tryout process is held, the teams conduct a draft to distribute players.

Frey said Stromberg stood out, but the Cubs coaches put up a façade about being worried about Stromberg’s small size when they crossed paths with the coaches of the Diamondbacks and Giants. The Cubs coaches hoped that might create some doubt among the Diamondbacks and Giants coaches when it came to picking Stromberg, which would allow the Cubs to land him.

“That was kind of way we got him,” said Frey. “We had to fib a little bit and tell other teams he was a little small, and we were not sure how he will be.

“That was the way we got him was by making sure that other teams didn’t want him height wise. I think it has paid off for us.”

Stromberg said he became interested in playing baseball around age nine after his grandpa took him to a fastpitch softball tournament. He wanted to play the type of game where you used a bat to hit the ball, and it stuck with him how players in both sports were pumped to play.

“I just liked how everyone was so excited about it and really got amped up in the game,” said Stromberg.

Stromberg added there was another softball influence that drew him into becoming a catcher in baseball.

Osher Stromberg sets up for an at bat with the Cubs.

“At first, I was scared of the ball,” said Stromberg. “My mom told me she was a catcher when she played softball, so that is kind of what got me into that.”

Last season, Stromberg lived through a dream rookie campaign with the Cubs. The Cubs finished first overall in the SPBL standings with a 24-6 record and won the SPBL championship tournament hosted at Cairns and Leakos Fields.

In the tournament’s championship game played on July 24, 2022 at Cairns Field, the Cubs downed the Muenster-based East Central Red Sox 12-6 in front of about 1,000 spectators.

“That was pretty cool having everyone cheering for us, because we were the hometown team,” said Stromberg. “It was fun.”

The Cubs advanced to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 Nationals that were held in Grande Prairie, Alta., from August 18 to 21, 2022. They finished with a 4-2 overall record falling in the event’s bronze medal game 5-4 in extra innings to the Nanaimo, B.C., based Mid Island Pirates.

Overall, Stromberg couldn’t ask for a better experience for his first season with the Cubs.

“It is awesome,” said Stromberg. “I love all the players.

“We all blend really well together. The coaches are really into it. It is just all-around fun times.

“That was pretty cool being a part of the team that goes to nationals. Everyone was talking about it. To be able to be a part of that was pretty cool.”

This season Stromberg has called games well for his pitchers, made the throw to second base consistently to get base stealers out, stroked the ball well at the plate and run the base paths with conviction. He said it is more serious being a catcher at the under-18 AAA level compared to being a catcher in younger age groups.

Osher Stromberg looks for an opening to get a steal.

“At younger levels, they say anyone can be a catcher, but at this level, you really can’t,” said Stromberg, who will be going into his Grade 12 school year in the fall at Evan Hardy Collegiate. “You have to be able to focus and just really know what you are doing back there.”

When it comes calling games behind the plate, Stromberg said one of the big keys is communicating with the pitchers who take the mound to get a sense of where they are at that day.

“It is just seeing how the pitcher is feeling and what they can throw and what is good,” said Stromberg, who trains with Going Yard Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex during the off-season. “(It is seeing) the hitters and how they hit certain pitches and what the count is.

“There are lots of factors that go into that.”

This season the Cubs have built a 16-5 record and are one of five teams in a dogfight for first place. The SPBL Under-18 AAA championship tournament will be held once again at Cairns and Leakos Fields from July 28 to 30. The winner of that event advances to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 Nationals, which will be held August 17 to 20 in Fort McMurray, Alta. 

As the season hits its stretch run, Frey said Stromberg will play a big part in how the Cubs finish out.

“It is going to be huge just the part with Osher catching,” said Frey, who added the Cubs will also use Jared Tameling at catcher too in provincials. “It is tough going down the stretch when it gets hot, and you’re catching day in and day out.

“It is nice that we have two catchers that we can use. You usually need two or three to get through a provincial weekend. He (Stromberg) works with all our pitchers.

“He is great with them. He is just a natural born leader. It is something that if he didn’t have it would put us behind the eight-ball a little bit.”

Osher Stromberg, centre, and the Cubs celebrate a win.

Stromberg is looking forward to playing out the stretch run and the SPBL championship tournament at home. He believes a few more good memories can be made.

“As a team, we’ve been playing good,” said Stromberg. “We’ve had a little less on the bats than last year, but defensively we’ve been great.

“Pitching wise, we’ve been great. We’re looking forward to the rest of it. I’m so excited.

“I’m ready to play in that provincial ball and having the fans in it and being really just into games. There is lots of tension in those games (last year). It is going to be great.”

Frey on fire for Cubs

Right-handed hurler one of SPBL’s best

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Parker Frey unloads a pitch for the Cubs.

Parker Frey is soaking in playing his final season in the spring and summer sun with the Saskatoon Cubs.

For the past two campaigns, the right-handed hurler has been one of the top pitchers at the under-18 AAA level in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League. This season, he has been a key cog in helping the Cubs chase first place on the provincial circuit.

“It has been fun,” said Frey. “We’re a fun group of guys.

“We can joke around when needed, but we get down to business when we also need to.”

Currently, the Cubs are holding top spot in the regular season standings with a 19-4 mark with seven games to go. The Cubs will host the SPBL’s under-18 AAA Provincial Championship tournament July 22 to 24 at Cairns Field and Leakos Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Over six appearances on the mound this season, Frey has posted a 4-0 record, a 2.25 ERA, 37 strikeouts and eight walks in 28 innings. He is putting together a solid follow-up campaign from his 2021 season, where in nine appearances, he posted a 7-1 record, a 2.25 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 11 walks in 37 and one-third innings.

When he is on the mound, Frey throws a strong slider and change-up, while locating his fastball well. He said his finesse pitches have helped him out well the past two campaigns.

“I’d definitely say my off-speed (pitches are working),” said Frey, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 165 pounds. “I’m not a guy who can blow the fastball by everyone.

“My off-speed pitches are definitely a big part of my pitching.”

On top of having a good season on the mound, Frey is having a solid campaign hitting, as he is 16-of-45 at the dish for a .356 average with 10 RBI. Frey has made a sizable improvement in that department from 2021, when he was 11-of-42 at the plate for a .262 average with six RBI.

Parker Frey is batting .356 at the plate this season.

At the plate, Frey keeps his approach simple.

“I’m more just trying to put the ball in play and good things happen,” said Frey. “It is all I am trying to do at the plate right now.”

Frey started played organized baseball at about age five or six following his older brother, Jordan, into the sport. Since Jordan was a pitcher, Parker became a pitcher too.

Over the years, Parker developed his own love for pitching and the game of baseball. His favourite hurlers to watch on television in the MLB included New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom and late Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay.

“I kind of think I like it a lot better than fielding and everything else,” said Parker. “I like pitching more, so that is why I went after that.”

For most of his baseball career, Parker has been coached by his father, Scott. Scott is the head coach of the Cubs and Jordan is serving as an assistant coach with the team too.

Since joining the Cubs in 2020, Scott said Parker has made some great overall strides.

“We were really just looking at using him as a pitcher,” said Scott. “He put on some inches and grew into a fairly tall kid that we could use in a few different situations.

“This year his bat has come alive, and we’ve been able to use him more in the field and also on the mound.”

On the mound, Scott said Parker has benefited from working with Cory Hall at Inside Pitch Saskatoon and consistently hits the strike zone with all his throws.

“He (Parker) works to get ahead,” said Scott. “He doesn’t have anything overpowering, so he has worked on developing a couple of different pitches that he can locate well and get hitters out.

Parker Frey rounds the bases for the Cubs.

“He is extremely efficient. We can count on him for five or six or seven innings most times. He has just kept doing that year after year after year.

“Parker is location first. You get the pitch in on guys’ hands or get it away and try to work with pitching to contact and just letting your defence play.”

When it comes to Parker’s improvement at the plate, Scott said it helped that his son had a growth spurt in the off-season.

“He grew and that helps,” said Scott. “He got stronger.

“I think just his approach to hitting is better as he gets into good counts, and he has a pretty good eye. He is able to get the pitch he wants and can put a good swing on it.”

Parker has enjoyed being coached by his father over the years and also by his older brother in recent years. The ace pitcher added the challenging player and coach talks come when he is not playing well, so he is kept accountable by his father and older brother.

“At times it is tough, because they are harder on me,” said Parker. “It is nice, and I like it.”

Scott admits he has challenging talks with Parker over the years that comes from the relationship between player and coach. Overall, the father appreciates the special opportunity he has had to coach his son.

“We’ve been together a long time and I have been coaching him a lot,” said Scott. “It is always a challenge being dad and being coach.

“There are some tough talks at home and some tough talks in the dugout, but it has been a really enjoyable experience and a lot of fun.”

Following this season, Parker, who just graduated from St. Joseph High School in June, will continue his baseball career playing for the Taft College Cougars baseball team in Taft, California. Before he thinks about the fall, Parker is focused on accomplishing big goals with the Cubs that include making it to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 National Championship tournament, which will be held August 18 to 21 in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Park Frey will join the Taft College Cougars in the fall.

“I think winning a provincial title would be cool,” said Parker, who will turn 18-years-old on August 13. “Going to nationals has to be the main goal for us.”

He is looking forward to his future with the Cougars but admits he will miss the Cubs.

“I’m super excited,” said Parker. “I can’t wait to get down there, but at the same time, it will be tough trying to leave this team.”

For more information about the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League including league schedules, box scores and statistics, feel free to check out the league website at www.spbl.ca.