The Chicago National League Ball Club

An objective look at the love of my life--the Chicago Cubs.

2.15.2005

2005 Season Preview: Outfield

This preview will be a little harder to write than the infield preview because there are a few major questions concerning the Cubs' outfielders. But I'll take a crack at it anyway. Remember, objective with a positive slant.

Outfield

RF//Jeromy Burnitz
After the Sammy Sosa trade appeared to be imminent, rumors were flying about possibilities for Sosa's replacement in right field. Magglio Ordonez and Aubrey Huff were the names that generated the most excitement but there were obstacles to acquiring either player. So the Cubs did the least exciting thing possible and signed the aging Jeromy Burnitz. The longtime Cub killer had a revitalized season of offensive potency last year with the Rockies, but playing your home games at Coors Field will tend to do that.

Keys to Success
Burnitz will have to somewhat adjust his offensive approach if he's going to have any success hitting at Wrigley Field. This isn't Colorado, where a pop-up to the catcher suddenly finds itself sailing over the left field fence. Burnitz has always swung from his heels, but he'll need to figure out how to use the Wrigley dimensions to his advantage. Good luck Jeromy.

Projected Stats
G HR RBI AVG. OBP.
145 26 93 .267 .345


CF//Corey Patterson
No one has ever doubted Patterson's skills and raw athleticism. He's turning into an elite defensive center fielder and is learning to use his physical gifts as he continues to figure out the game of baseball. His production at the plate will be vital to the Cubs offensive attack this year.

Keys to Success
Confidence. When Patterson plays as well as he knows he can, he creates big problems for opposing teams. A confident Patterson is far more patient at the plate and lets the game come to him, to use an old cliche. He's still only 25 and very impressionable. If he can revert back to the way he played in the first half of 2003, he could single-handedly change the look of the Cubs lineup.

Projected Stats
G HR RBI AVG. OBP.
154 22 64 .285 .360


OF//Jerry Hairston, Jr.
I'm not going to pretend that I'm an expert on Jerry Hairston but I can tell you what I know. He's a speedy, solid contact hitter who has potential to be the Cubs' leadoff man. He's a natural second basemen, but with that spot already occupied by Todd Walker the only real options for Hairston are left field or the bench. If he impresses the Cubs at Spring Training, he might get a shot to start and bring his skills to the top of the lineup.

Keys to Success
Hairston has been somewhat injury prone over the past few seasons but is effective when he's on the field. Until it's established what Hairston's role will be, it's hard to determine what needs to happen in order for him to be successful. If he's productive at the plate, they'll need to get him some at-bats. Some argue he's not an every day player, some argue that he's the leadoff hitter that the Cubs need. Stay tuned.

Projected Stats
G HR RBI AVG. OBP.
85 3 26 .282 .360


Can Todd Hollandsworth be the super sub he was last year? Mmmmmm....super sub

OF//Todd Hollandsworth
For someone who only played in 57 games last year, Hollandsworth sure became a fan favorite. He was having one of the better seasons in his career before a leg injury sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign. Hollandsworth excelled as a spot starter in the outfield and had a lovely OBP of .392 when he went down in late June. It's been said that he wants to play every day but Cubs management is understandably cautious about handing him the left field spot.

Keys to Success
Hollandsworth needs to be utilized correctly and that's up to Hard Bake. He was a weapon off the bench last year and could be more valuable there than in the every day lineup. But if he continues to hit the way he did last year, and there is no guarantee that he will, Dusty will likely feel the pressure to let him start consistently.

Projected Stats
G HR RBI AVG. OBP.
89 11 45 .276 .365


OF//Jason Dubois
With Baker's reputation for playing veterans over rookies, it might be hard to get Dubois the at-bats he needs to establish himself as an everyday player...if he can even be one. He had a great year at the plate last season in Triple-A but some wonder if he'll ever be a serviceable major leaguer. Time will tell.

Keys to Success
When Dubois gets the chance to play, he needs to take full advantage of it and prove he belongs. He'll soon be 26 so it's not like scouts are drooling of what he can be if he develops. His time is now.

Projected Stats
G HR RBI AVG. OBP.
56 6 37 .272 .324


Next post: Previewing the Pitching

2 Comments:

  • At 3/12/2005 1:45 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I'm gonna go ahead and argue that Mark Prior is not the Cubs best player, he is not the key to success this year, and I'll even argue that he is not the Cubs best pitcher!-Yeah I said it. First of all, the Cubs best player is hands down, Nomahhhh! I think the only explanation for you not stating this could be maybe you forgot he was on the team?? Nomar is one of the most versatile players in all of baseball. The man is a catalyst for offensive explosion! He hits for average and power, runs the bases very well, and holds a steady, somewhat underrated glove in the toughest position on the field. Nomar has the capability of taking the Cubs runs scored averaged up a solid notch or two while batting from just about anywhere in the lineup. He will be the key to a Cubby postseason; his being healthy takes the Cubs from legitimate playoff contenders to legitimate World Series champions. The Cubs nearly made the playoffs last season with next to no help from Mark Prior. His individual performance this season will not be a significant factor for a playoff birth. One should not analyze the Cubs pitching on an individual basis. The success or failure of any one player from that staff will not immensely affect a season's outcome. Finally, Carlos Zambrano is the best pitcher in the rotation. The man really is a bull. Carlos Zambrano simply dominated National League hitters last season. His stats have vastly improved consistently from season to season and at the mere age of 23, we should expect to see more growth for years to come. When Zambrano took the mound last season there was little to worry about. And if the game happened to be at Wrigley, where he posted an era of under 2.00 for much of the season, the game was basically a shoo-in. He is also undoubtedly the most reliable and consistent pitcher in the rotation. He could easily be a 20 game winner this season.

     
  • At 3/12/2005 1:45 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I'm gonna go ahead and argue that Mark Prior is not the Cubs best player, he is not the key to success this year, and I'll even argue that he is not the Cubs best pitcher!-Yeah I said it. First of all, the Cubs best player is hands down, Nomahhhh! I think the only explanation for you not stating this could be maybe you forgot he was on the team?? Nomar is one of the most versatile players in all of baseball. The man is a catalyst for offensive explosion! He hits for average and power, runs the bases very well, and holds a steady, somewhat underrated glove in the toughest position on the field. Nomar has the capability of taking the Cubs runs scored averaged up a solid notch or two while batting from just about anywhere in the lineup. He will be the key to a Cubby postseason; his being healthy takes the Cubs from legitimate playoff contenders to legitimate World Series champions. The Cubs nearly made the playoffs last season with next to no help from Mark Prior. His individual performance this season will not be a significant factor for a playoff birth. One should not analyze the Cubs pitching on an individual basis. The success or failure of any one player from that staff will not immensely affect a season's outcome. Finally, Carlos Zambrano is the best pitcher in the rotation. The man really is a bull. Carlos Zambrano simply dominated National League hitters last season. His stats have vastly improved consistently from season to season and at the mere age of 23, we should expect to see more growth for years to come. When Zambrano took the mound last season there was little to worry about. And if the game happened to be at Wrigley, where he posted an era of under 2.00 for much of the season, the game was basically a shoo-in. He is also undoubtedly the most reliable and consistent pitcher in the rotation. He could easily be a 20 game winner this season.

     

Post a Comment

<< Home

Name:
Location: United States