Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Narciso Crook and how did he end up with the Cubs?
Narciso Crook is a 26-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic who was originally a 23rd-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2013. He signed with the Cubs this offseason as a free agent after spending his entire professional career in the Reds organization without getting a major league call-up.
What did the Cubs change about Narciso Crook's hitting mechanics?
The Cubs gave Crook a complete upper-body overhaul and pattern change to his hitting setup. His previous loading mechanism caused too much swing-and-miss and mis-hits, so the new approach allows him to keep his barrel in the zone longer and create more solid contact.
What are Narciso Crook's strengths and weaknesses as a hitter?
According to Cubs Director of Hitting Justin Stone, Crook is elite in two of their three hitting pillars - he's an elite decision-maker and does excessive damage when he hits the ball with really high exit velocity. His weakness was the ability to make consistent contact.
When did Narciso Crook make his MLB debut?
Crook made his major league debut this week with the Cubs against the Cincinnati Reds - the team that originally drafted him. He got his first hit and RBI in that game against his former organization.
What makes Narciso Crook special off the field?
Crook happily signs autographs for young fans when they ask, but he does it with one stipulation that makes it meaningful beyond just getting a signature.