Upper level system pileup at 2B and 3B

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Am I missing someone here?

 

Mike Fontenot, Richard Lewis, Eric Patterson, Nate Spears, Matt Craig, Casey McGahee, Scott Moore. Who gets to start?

 

Of these players, Moore, Patterson and maybe the newly acquired Spears have the highest upside, so they should get priority. But Fontenot is the most likely guy to help the big league Cubs soonest (as a utility player), Lewis is the former 1st round pick (and 2004 star, 2005 bust) who you'd like to see re-build his value. And all Matt Craig does is hit everywhere he goes. So who gets to play?

 

My guess is Fontenot at 2B, Craig at 3B for Iowa; Moore at 3B, Patterson at 2B for WTenn. Lewis on the bench at either AA or AAA, same for Casey. But then Spears is ready for AA, how can he not start?

[WrigleyField 22]

Am I missing someone here?

 

Mike Fontenot, Richard Lewis, Eric Patterson, Nate Spears, Matt Craig, Casey McGahee, Scott Moore. Who gets to start?

 

Of these players, Moore, Patterson and maybe the newly acquired Spears have the highest upside, so they should get priority. But Fontenot is the most likely guy to help the big league Cubs soonest (as a utility player), Lewis is the former 1st round pick (and 2004 star, 2005 bust) who you'd like to see re-build his value. And all Matt Craig does is hit everywhere he goes. So who gets to play?

 

My guess is Fontenot at 2B, Craig at 3B for Iowa; Moore at 3B, Patterson at 2B for WTenn. Lewis on the bench at either AA or AAA, same for Casey. But then Spears is ready for AA, how can he not start?

 

I thought Spears could play SS.

[stitchface]

is Patterson at AA? as an actual prospect, I would assume he would have preference.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

is Patterson at AA? as an actual prospect, I would assume he would have preference.

He ended the year at AA and played there in the playoffs. He could be sent back down to high A to begin the year if he doesn't do too well in the spring.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Am I missing someone here?

 

Mike Fontenot, Richard Lewis, Eric Patterson, Nate Spears, Matt Craig, Casey McGahee, Scott Moore. Who gets to start?

 

Of these players, Moore, Patterson and maybe the newly acquired Spears have the highest upside, so they should get priority. But Fontenot is the most likely guy to help the big league Cubs soonest (as a utility player), Lewis is the former 1st round pick (and 2004 star, 2005 bust) who you'd like to see re-build his value. And all Matt Craig does is hit everywhere he goes. So who gets to play?

 

My guess is Fontenot at 2B, Craig at 3B for Iowa; Moore at 3B, Patterson at 2B for WTenn. Lewis on the bench at either AA or AAA, same for Casey. But then Spears is ready for AA, how can he not start?

 

Craig and Moore can also play 1B/DH, and McGehee can also catch, so I don't think the buildup will be too severe. It does look like Lewis could be the odd man out.

[wvcbxl]

and McGehee can also catch

 

IIRC that experiment was abandoned.

[Wrigley Rat]

My predictions...

 

Iowa Starters:

1B Matt Craig (steroids dropped his upside tremendously)

2B Ryan Theriot (old, but solid fundamentally)

SS Jemel Spearman (he's old and should make AAA or get released)

3B Casey McGehee (great defensively, but will play 1B a bunch)

 

Iowa Benchwarmers: (They will get their ABs)

2B/3B Mike Fontenot (becoming more versatile)

SS/2B/3B Augie Ojeda (insurance for the big league club)

2B Richard Lewis (looks like the odd man out)

1B/OF Micah Hoffpauir (probably will be released - could go to AA temp.)

UTIL Nate Frese (probably will be released - could go to AA temp.)

 

West Tenn Starters:

1B Brian Dopirak (could repeat Daytona with bad spring)

2B Eric Patterson (could repeat Daytona with bad spring)

SS Nate Spears (better as a 2B, but won't take ABs from Patterson)

3B Scott Moore (nearly a lock here - looking for a repeat season)

 

West Tenn Benchwarmers:

SS/2B Carlos Rojas (superstar defensively - will get ABs)

3B/1B/2B Issmael Salas (great numbers offensively when calculated)

SS/2B Jemel Spearman (may end up here???)

[T2E]

My predictions...

 

Iowa Starters:

1B Matt Craig (steroids dropped his upside tremendously)

2B Ryan Theriot (old, but solid fundamentally)

SS Jemel Spearman (he's old and should make AAA or get released)

3B Casey McGehee (great defensively, but will play 1B a bunch)

 

Iowa Benchwarmers: (They will get their ABs)

2B/3B Mike Fontenot (becoming more versatile)

SS/2B/3B Augie Ojeda (insurance for the big league club)

2B Richard Lewis (looks like the odd man out)

1B/OF Micah Hoffpauir (probably will be released - could go to AA temp.)

UTIL Nate Frese (probably will be released - could go to AA temp.)

 

West Tenn Starters:

1B Brian Dopirak (could repeat Daytona with bad spring)

2B Eric Patterson (could repeat Daytona with bad spring)

SS Nate Spears (better as a 2B, but won't take ABs from Patterson)

3B Scott Moore (nearly a lock here - looking for a repeat season)

 

West Tenn Benchwarmers:

SS/2B Carlos Rojas (superstar defensively - will get ABs)

3B/1B/2B Issmael Salas (great numbers offensively when calculated)

SS/2B Jemel Spearman (may end up here???)

 

I agree with most of the predictions, but I think Theriot (or maybe even Rojas) might start at short and Lewis get another shot at second and see Fontenot primarily start at third with Craig DHing and McGehee at first. But for the most part pretty much what I'd say though.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Any guesses on who will be the starter @ 2nd for the Cubs in 07'? Both JHJR & Walker are FA's. Will the Cubs go the FA route or will they promote within like what is happening with both Murton & Cedeno? Who has the best chance out of this minor league group to make the big club as the starting 2nd baseman in 07?

[T2E]

Any guesses on who will be the starter @ 2nd for the Cubs in 07'? Both JHJR & Walker are FA's. Will the Cubs go the FA route or will they promote within like what is happening with both Murton & Cedeno? Who has the best chance out of this minor league group to make the big club as the starting 2nd baseman in 07?

 

I don't see any of the current AA/AAA prospects being ready to start at second in '07 unless EPatt has an incredible year. A lot will depend on the performance of Cedeno as to how the middle infield situation will shape up in the future.

[NCCubFan]

West Tenn Starters:

1B Brian Dopirak (could repeat Daytona with bad spring)

2B Eric Patterson (could repeat Daytona with bad spring)

SS Nate Spears (better as a 2B, but won't take ABs from Patterson)

3B Scott Moore (nearly a lock here - looking for a repeat season)

 

West Tenn Benchwarmers:

SS/2B Carlos Rojas (superstar defensively - will get ABs)

3B/1B/2B Issmael Salas (great numbers offensively when calculated)

SS/2B Jemel Spearman (may end up here???)

Patterson wouldn't be repeating Daytona, since he's never played there in the first place. He went straight from Peoria to West Tenn last year, skipping over Daytona.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Any guesses on who will be the starter @ 2nd for the Cubs in 07'? Both JHJR & Walker are FA's. Will the Cubs go the FA route or will they promote within like what is happening with both Murton & Cedeno? Who has the best chance out of this minor league group to make the big club as the starting 2nd baseman in 07?

 

I don't see any of the current AA/AAA prospects being ready to start at second in '07 unless EPatt has an incredible year. A lot will depend on the performance of Cedeno as to how the middle infield situation will shape up in the future.

 

Can Craig or McGahee play some 2B??

[craig]

Craig and Fontenot are viewed as roster fill guys. Craig is a DH who can play a little 3rd and 1st, Fontenot is perhaps Walker-like in his 2B defense, and his lack of utility flexibility. He's got zero of the 5 traditional tools, the only thing he's got is the abilty to walk (although he K's a lot).

 

Cubs like McGehee as a potential bench guy. He's the kind of hard-working contact-hitter/hustle/high-IQ/good-defense/fundamentals guy they like.

 

Spears and EPatt are the problem pair, unless Spears plays SS which I doubt. Both have a shot to emerge as starting 2B, but both are far more likely to live in the majors as utility guys. As such, I think both would benefit from some action at some other positions. Maybe Spears some SS and 3B? Eric could use some 2B work and maybe some CF? My guess is they put both at AA, and let the manager decide who seems better at 2B. The "competition brings out the best" view.

 

An alternative is to put one at Daytona, but which? Eric is older and has more tools, Spears is younger but hgas already handled high-A pretty well. Cubs could do it either way if they wanted, but my guess is they'll just let them work it out at WTenn.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Craig and Fontenot are viewed as roster fill guys. Craig is a DH who can play a little 3rd and 1st, Fontenot is perhaps Walker-like in his 2B defense, and his lack of utility flexibility. He's got zero of the 5 traditional tools, the only thing he's got is the abilty to walk (although he K's a lot).

 

Cubs like McGehee as a potential bench guy. He's the kind of hard-working contact-hitter/hustle/high-IQ/good-defense/fundamentals guy they like.

 

Spears and EPatt are the problem pair, unless Spears plays SS which I doubt. Both have a shot to emerge as starting 2B, but both are far more likely to live in the majors as utility guys. As such, I think both would benefit from some action at some other positions. Maybe Spears some SS and 3B? Eric could use some 2B work and maybe some CF? My guess is they put both at AA, and let the manager decide who seems better at 2B. The "competition brings out the best" view.

 

An alternative is to put one at Daytona, but which? Eric is older and has more tools, Spears is younger but hgas already handled high-A pretty well. Cubs could do it either way if they wanted, but my guess is they'll just let them work it out at WTenn.

 

Craig,

 

According to the Cubs convention reports (see other thread) from Fleita, they plan on putting Spears in Daytona and Patterson at Jackson. Seems to be a waste regarding Spears, his progression says he's ready for AA.

[craig]

Spears and EPatt are the problem pair, unless Spears plays SS which I doubt. Both have a shot to emerge as starting 2B, but both are far more likely to live in the majors as utility guys. As such, I think both would benefit from some action at some other positions. Maybe Spears some SS and 3B? Eric could use some 2B work and maybe some CF? My guess is they put both at AA, and let the manager decide who seems better at 2B. The "competition brings out the best" view.

 

An alternative is to put one at Daytona, but which? Eric is older and has more tools, Spears is younger but hgas already handled high-A pretty well. Cubs could do it either way if they wanted, but my guess is they'll just let them work it out at WTenn.

 

Craig,

 

According to the Cubs convention reports (see other thread) from Fleita, they plan on putting Spears in Daytona and Patterson at Jackson. Seems to be a waste regarding Spears, his progression says he's ready for AA.

 

Yeah, I saw that link this morning, very helpful. Actually, I wasn't quite clear on that report. Was the Al Yellon reporter saying that Fleita said Spears would go Daytona? Or was the reporter deducing that if Eric gets WTenn, then Spears would go Daytona? Wasn't entirely clear on that. When I scanned through some of the responses to that article, one of the respondants who'd been at the session said Fleita had also talked some about Spears perhaps playing some 3B.

 

Bottom line would seem to be that Eric opens as the primary AA 2B, and given his age and the talents (much faster, more power) that he has that Spears will never have, that makes sense. Spears will play the first month of the year at age 20; he's still really young. if he returns to Daytona, that's no big deal, he's got time if he's actually going to become a major leaguer. But it's also possible they could share some time at 2b, Spears could play some 3B, Spears could perhaps play a little SS, one or the other could DH a little for rest...

 

Someone asked earlier on this thread who will play 2B for Cubs in 2007? That's perhaps even harder to answer than the question of who will play 2B this year. Most likely it will not be somebody from the current farm system. Spears is almost certainly too young. The odds that Eric, who was still in low-A in July 2005, would have advanced enough to be the April starter in the NL in April 2007 is very unlikely. Murton and Cedeno, they never K'd much. Contact guys like Murton, Cedeno, Spears, Fuld, McGehee, are often more able to survive promotions than high-K hitters like Dopirak, Harvey, and Eric. Eric has an opportunity, for sure. But he's going to have to show a lot of improvement this year to get any consideration to start next year.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Yeah, I can't see Eric being ready by opening day 2007.

[CubinNY]

Yeah, I can't see Eric being ready by opening day 2007.

I wonder what effect, if any trading Corey has on him.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Yeah, I can't see Eric being ready by opening day 2007.

I wonder what effect, if any trading Corey has on him.

 

I doubt it has much effect. Corey knows it's a business, I would think Eric would too. I'm sure Corey wanted out of the system too and is glad to be traded.