Post by Jim Hendry on Feb 10, 2008 22:45:36 GMT -5
The Cubs come into 2011 with a better lineup than they've seen in some time...not that that says much, they've been pretty bad. But as fans go into the 103rd season sans a series title, any improvement is enough to keep the bleachers full and the hopes alive. Seasons ago, GM Hendry started building a youth movement and stuck to his guns. They are finally making there way up. Aces Wood and Prior have been waiting. Here is what the Cubs will look like on opening day:
SS Les Clement - top prospect looking to breakout in the bigs
LF Banky Edwards - high average hitter ready for sophomore season
CF Lew Ford - veteran must return to .270...and even that may not be enough
1B - Josh Phelps - Averaged nearly 40 HRs over past 6 seasons...but batting averate is lacking
3B - Matt Holiday - Experiment at hot corner was ugly. Will move back to OF if Ford struggles at plate. Prospect Franco anxious for the call up.
RF - Rog Bernadina - If transition to NL goes well, could be key to offense success. Another .300 season will get Phelps and Holliday good looks
2B - Jemel Spearman - Leadoff job lost to bad average and plenty of other infielders behind him. Expect platoon here with Castro and Lewis.
C Reg Fitzpatrick - As if beating out Angel Molina for a big league spot wasn't enough, the rookie beat out Tom Peterson for the starting job. Great arm and .330 average in the minors.
P Mark Prior - Career high 344 Ks and another sub 3.00 ERA season in 2010...and another so-so W-L record. Same old story...needs run support. With it, he'd push 25 wins.
P Kerry Wood - Cut his ERA down below career figure. Career high 40 appearances. 5 wins...see above.
P Andy Sisco - Let me see that DONG, d-d-d-DONG. Sophomore season for young fireballer must include fewer HRs
P Robert Brownlie - A setback season last year perhaps by pitching in the 2 spot. This year could make or break Brownlie into a solid 2-3 guy or a so-so 4-5
P Chad Billingsley - Prolonged minor league stint produced nice 3.43 in rookie year...and he's only 24 so plenty of time left to push towards the top of the rotation
CL - Josalo Diaz - Replaces Jared Blasdell as the closer. Opponents hit just .174 against Diaz as he K'd 114 in 107 IP. Could cut down on BBs. But looks to be better than Blasdells near 5 ERA and 5 blown saves in 2010.
On the farm...Lots of pop and a little speed. Willie Franco is only in AA but is heir apparent to 3B. LF Stan Barrett has the power in AAA while RF Jacob McCall is a .300 guy. 2B John Durbin is a masher that will threaten the speedsters currently at the bigs. IF Dann Tyler's average may get lost behind the talent ahead of him. LF Gary Corcoran has better chance than Tyler because he has a little pop. C Charle Brown's pop will push Reg Fitzgerald in a few years. The club's pitching is all at the ML level. Time for Hendry to start looking down the road. Prior is now 29, Wood 32.
Predicted finish 3rd in divsion 81-81. Wait til next year Cubs fans. The central is too tough to expect higher and 3rd is being generous and assuming the offense finally gives the pitching some support. Hopefully the defense doesn't give it all back.
SS Les Clement - top prospect looking to breakout in the bigs
LF Banky Edwards - high average hitter ready for sophomore season
CF Lew Ford - veteran must return to .270...and even that may not be enough
1B - Josh Phelps - Averaged nearly 40 HRs over past 6 seasons...but batting averate is lacking
3B - Matt Holiday - Experiment at hot corner was ugly. Will move back to OF if Ford struggles at plate. Prospect Franco anxious for the call up.
RF - Rog Bernadina - If transition to NL goes well, could be key to offense success. Another .300 season will get Phelps and Holliday good looks
2B - Jemel Spearman - Leadoff job lost to bad average and plenty of other infielders behind him. Expect platoon here with Castro and Lewis.
C Reg Fitzpatrick - As if beating out Angel Molina for a big league spot wasn't enough, the rookie beat out Tom Peterson for the starting job. Great arm and .330 average in the minors.
P Mark Prior - Career high 344 Ks and another sub 3.00 ERA season in 2010...and another so-so W-L record. Same old story...needs run support. With it, he'd push 25 wins.
P Kerry Wood - Cut his ERA down below career figure. Career high 40 appearances. 5 wins...see above.
P Andy Sisco - Let me see that DONG, d-d-d-DONG. Sophomore season for young fireballer must include fewer HRs
P Robert Brownlie - A setback season last year perhaps by pitching in the 2 spot. This year could make or break Brownlie into a solid 2-3 guy or a so-so 4-5
P Chad Billingsley - Prolonged minor league stint produced nice 3.43 in rookie year...and he's only 24 so plenty of time left to push towards the top of the rotation
CL - Josalo Diaz - Replaces Jared Blasdell as the closer. Opponents hit just .174 against Diaz as he K'd 114 in 107 IP. Could cut down on BBs. But looks to be better than Blasdells near 5 ERA and 5 blown saves in 2010.
On the farm...Lots of pop and a little speed. Willie Franco is only in AA but is heir apparent to 3B. LF Stan Barrett has the power in AAA while RF Jacob McCall is a .300 guy. 2B John Durbin is a masher that will threaten the speedsters currently at the bigs. IF Dann Tyler's average may get lost behind the talent ahead of him. LF Gary Corcoran has better chance than Tyler because he has a little pop. C Charle Brown's pop will push Reg Fitzgerald in a few years. The club's pitching is all at the ML level. Time for Hendry to start looking down the road. Prior is now 29, Wood 32.
Predicted finish 3rd in divsion 81-81. Wait til next year Cubs fans. The central is too tough to expect higher and 3rd is being generous and assuming the offense finally gives the pitching some support. Hopefully the defense doesn't give it all back.