2005 Season Preview: Infield

Ahh, Spring Training. Is there anything more wonderful in this fair land of ours? Is there anything you'd rather hear in the middle of February than "pitchers and catchers reporting"? Our favorite baseball team re-emerges at the time of year we need them to most. My friends, it's time for baseball again.

The Cubs go into this spring with a handful of question marks at some key positions. Is Ryan Dempster the closer? Where will Jerry Hairston play? Can Corey Patterson fulfill the leadoff duties?

Instead of writing my season preview in one post, I thought I'd break it down into Infield, Outfield, Pitching, and Bench. I will be objective with an optimistic slant. If you don't like it, I've got a few 'sites' for ya.

Infield

1B//Derrek Lee
Lee started to wear down towards the end of last season thanks to playing in all but one game of the 2004 campaign. He spent the majority of the season hitting in the .290-.300 range and should stay there throughout 2005 assuming he gets a little more rest when needed.

Keys to Success
Dusty Baker needs to find the right spot in the lineup for Lee. His high strikeout rate makes him a risky 2 hitter but his speed would be an asset to the top of the lineup. As of now, he's probably the number 5 hitter.

Projected Stats
G HR RBI AVG. OBP.
155 34 103 .298 .370

2B//Todd Walker
Walker's numbers will probably see a boost from last season as he becomes the Cubs' everyday second basemen. Though not a superb defensive player, Walker proved more than adequate last year and the notoriously tall infield grass at Wrigley doesn't hurt.

Keys to Success
I think the addition of Nomar Garciaparra was one of the best things that could have happened to Walker. Both will be playing full time together just as they did in 2003 and combined for 41HR and 190RBI for the Boston Red Sox. Also, I think Todd's a better player in knee socks.

Projected Stats
G HR RBI AVG. OBP.
150 15 70 .285 .350


3B//Aramis Ramirez
All due respect to Nomar, Ramirez is the Cubs' most potent offensive weapon. He's only 26 years old and on his way to becoming one of the premiere third basemen in baseball. The Cubs coaching staff has worked with him to improve his defense and he's showing to be a quick study. Acquiring Ramirez could prove to be the best move on Jim Hendry's tenure as the Cubs' General Manager.

Keys to Success
He's got a world of talent and it's up to the Cubs coaching staff to continue to help him get better. His matured plate approach last season led to a career high in walks and OBP and he needs to continue to show discipline in the batter's box. I think he might be the most fun Cub to watch.

Projected Stats
G HR RBI AVG. OBP.
150 35 115 .318 .385


Nomar looks to rebound after an injury-plagued 2004

SS//Nomar Garciaparra
Maybe the best thing about Nomar playing for the Cubs this year is that he's got something to prove. He's exactly the type of hitter the Cubs need in the 3 hole and will likely see a lot of fastballs if he's hitting in front of Ramirez...which is good because Nomar's a fastball hitter.

Keys to Success
No secrets here--Nomar needs to stay healthy. If he can stay on the field for 150+ games this year he should be hitting ropes into the right and left center field gaps. This is his year to prove that he's still one of the elite shortstops in baseball.

Projected Stats
G HR RBI AVG. OBP.
152 21 104 .322 .380

C//Michael Barrett
Steve Stone recently said Michael Barrett is the player the Cubs can least afford to lose for a significant amount of time. Barrett anchors the Cubs infield and has shown signs of taking ownership in the clubhouse. This is one player Cubs fans wanna see repeat his 2004 performance.

Keys to Success
Barrett will likely have the unpleasant duty of hitting in the 8th spot for the vast majority of his games, though last year he seemed to thrive no matter where he hit in the lineup. The bigger issue will be whether or not Barrett's defense continues to improve as he begins his second full season behind the plate. Spring Training will be important as he continues to learn how to catch one of the more difficult rotations to handle in all of baseball.

Projected Stats
G HR RBI AVG. OBP.
133 14 58 .282 .350

Next post: Previewing the outfield