Tommy Birch

tbirch@dmreg.com

Earlier in the week, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters that one of the things he was looking for in September call-ups was a guy with speed.

That guy could be John Andreoli.

The Iowa Cubs outfielder is among the names being tossed around by fans and media members as a possible call-up come September.

“He’s such a grinder,” Iowa manger Marty Pevey said of Andreoli before Iowa's 8-1 loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers on Thursday. “Those are the guys you want on your team — the grinders. You know they’re not going to fold after four months. They’re going to grind the whole six.”

That’s exactly what Andreoli has done after a horrific start the season. The Iowa outfielder hit just .194 in April and .229 in May. Things started to turn around for Andreoli in June when he hit .271. He followed that up by hitting .279 in July. This month, he's been even better; through the first 22 games of August, Andreoli compiled a .303 average.

He entered Thursday's game hitting .256 for the season and is suddenly in the conversation for what would be his first trip to the big leagues.

“We never lost faith in Johnny,” Pevey said. “We saw what he could do last year and the potential that he has there.”

Andreoli said he had faith he could get his season going.

“I knew I wasn’t far off and that if I just stayed positive and the Cubs trusted me and kept putting me out there every day and let me work through it, (I’d turn it around),” Andreoli said.

When Maddon told reporters he wanted “maybe a speed guy,” among the promotions when rosters expand, Andreoli had to come to mind. Thursday began with Andreoli ranked second in the Pacific Coast League in walks (83), second in stolen bases (34) and third in runs scored (88).

“I like my ability to get on base, run the bases effectively, smart, and aggressively and to create pressure on defenses and produce a lot of runs,” Andreoli said.

Andreoli is not on the 40-man roster and said he’s not worrying about heading to Chicago just yet.

“That’s something that you really can’t have control over and something that if you concentrate on, it’s only going to hurt you,” Andreoli said. “You’ve just got to show up and play your game everyday.”

Almora Jr. back

Iowa outfielder Albert Almora Jr. was back at Principal Park on Thursday and could be back in the lineup soon.

Almora Jr. has been on the disabled list with what Pevey called a "bone contusion" on his hand. He hasn't played in a game since Aug. 10. Earlier in the week, Pevey said Almora Jr. was supposed to have the hand looked at by a specialist. That apparently went well. Pevey could Almora Jr. could be back in the lineup by the weekend.

"They're not going to rush him back," Pevey said. "But we're looking at possibly Saturday or Sunday."

It's good news for Almora Jr. who made his big-league debut earlier this season and could be back up in September.

"For his sake it's a relief," Pevey said.