Daily Skiff

Ivy. It surrounded former Frog pitcher Andrew Cashner earlier in the winter, as he ran through baseball workouts like he had done so many times before. Actually, it was most likely dead in the cold of a Chicago winter, but Wrigley Field always brings up thoughts of luscious vines of ivy growing all over the outfield fence in the middle of summertime baseball season.

Cashner might have the chance to play inside that ivy, alive and in the warmth of summer as the Chicago Cubs' fifth starter this season.

"I need to have a good spring training, and whether I make the team or not, I still can make a good impression for later on down the road," Cashner said. "I have a chance at the rotation and a chance at the bullpen, so I have to pitch good and let (the Cubs' organization) do the worrying."

Cashner was selected by the Cubs 19th overall in the 2008 draft. Since then, he has worked his way up through the Minor Leagues quickly, posting a 2.60 earned run average in 24 games played in 2009 in both the A and AA levels.

Right now, Cashner spends his off-season days in Tomball, Texas, near his hometown of Conroe, working out with former Horned Frogs-turned-professionals, brothers Chad and Royce Huffman. With some hard work, Cashner said he has a good chance to get his shot at the big show sometime this season, if not at the beginning.

"I've just got to make the team first," Cashner said with a chuckle, bringing himself back to the present. "Even if I don't make it, guys get hurt later on in the year, and I think I'd have a good chance later in the season, but I'm going to give it my best shot. I just want to help the team win and help them get to the World Series."

In his time at TCU, Cashner was utilized out of the bullpen as a closer, shutting down opposing offenses with a powerful fastball. However, at the Major Leagues level, Cashner said he would like to see batters from the other side of the game and gain valuable lessons from the four starters the Cubs already have slotted for starting roles.

"I think being in (the Cubs') starting rotation, that would be awesome," Cashner said. "There's some great guys to learn from. I mean you've got (Carlos) Zambrano, (Ryan) Dempster, (Ted) Lilly and (Randy) Wells up there right now. There are guys that have been there for a while and can really help you out a lot."

While Cashner sees the reality of making it in the Major Leagues through the work he has put forth in the off-season, he does stop and allow himself to think about what it would be like to pitch in Wrigley Field, surrounded by the ever famous ivy.

"It would be awesome," Cashner said. "It was one of the coolest feelings just being in their locker room, in their weight room and working out. Doing what those guys get to do every day was a fun experience."

If he makes the team, this is an experience he could have every day beginning in May.

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