Josh Vitters Batting Practice

[soonercub]

I heard that Vitters was going to take batting practice with the Cubs before Friday's game. Does anyone have any video?

 

Did anyone get to see this and how did he do?

[WindyCity]

I heard that Vitters was going to take batting practice with the Cubs before Friday's game. Does anyone have any video?

 

Did anyone get to see this and how did he do?

 

The Cubs are usually just finishing up their batting practice and then the visitors start their BP as the gates open to fans. Persons with media credentials get in 4 hours before game time so I imagine some of the media outlets will be showing footage of Vitters on the evening news.

[BCVM22]

Corey Provus on the radio broadcast said Vitters looked good and hit a few into the bleachers.

 

Also, Cubs.com provides us with this:

 

First swings: Josh Vitters, the Cubs' first-round pick and third overall selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, was at Wrigley Field on Friday, and took batting practice with the team.

 

"It was amazing," Vitters said with a smile after hitting. "My heart rate was up there pretty high -- it still is, actually. [it was] one of the best experiences of my life."

 

Wearing No. 1 on his back, the 17-year-old Vitters said he felt a little more comfortable at the plate after hitting two balls into the left-field bleachers.

 

"It felt really good to get those under my belt," Vitters said. "Made me feel a little more relaxed throughout the rest of the BP, to just go up there and take relaxed swings and calm down a little bit."

 

Vitters signed for $3.2 million Wednesday, and will report to Mesa, Ariz., to join the Cubs' Rookie League team, and hopefully will get to short-season Boise before its season is over. A third baseman at Cypress High School (Calif.), Vitters said he is comfortable in any of the outfield positions. He hasn't played much baseball lately, but said that would not be a problem for him.

 

"I've just been waiting to sign, not even really playing, just because I didn't want to get hurt before I signed," Vitters said. "I've just been working out, taking swings in the batting cage, and stuff like that, to stay ready to go for the season."

 

He was comfortable and excited to be at Wrigley and wear a Cubs uniform, but admitted he was not actually wearing his own shoes. Vitters borrowed a pair of Cliff Floyd's shoes to warm up with the team.

 

"It's definitely a surreal experience being out here with all the big leaguers," Vitters said. "Playing on the field, getting treated like a big leaguer by all the players, it's just amazing."

[TruffleShuffle]

ryan harvey was a batting practice monster

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

ryan harvey was a batting practice monster

 

Dopirak was as well.

[gerby23]

Why go straight to negatives? Sosa was a monster also, see we can do it both ways. :wink:

Being positive here for a Cubs position draft pick to pan out.

[JeffH]

Whoever wrote that cubs.com article is lying.

 

There's no way the kid hit any balls into the seats while wearing a pair of Cliff Floyd's shoes.

[Cynosure]

LOL If he hit home runs call him up... we need a Rich Ankiel.

[RammyFanny]

LOL If he hit home runs call him up... we need a Rich Ankiel.

 

My favorite post from the Cubs.com board was when Ramirez was out and someone seriously started a "It's Vitters Time" thread.

[Peoriaman]

Why go straight to negatives? Sosa was a monster also, see we can do it both ways. :wink:

Being positive here for a Cubs position draft pick to pan out.

 

 

because that is what internet fans do.

[SouthSideRyan]

ryan harvey was a batting practice monster

 

Dopirak was as well.

 

And Sammy Sosa.

[Guest]

Pujols & Bonds put on quite the show, as well.

[Lockes Eye Scar]

who doesn't put on a show in batting practice? If you can't hit in BP, you probably shouldn't be playing baseball.

[Guest]

who doesn't put on a show in batting practice? If you can't hit in BP, you probably shouldn't be playing baseball.

Eckstein's not much of a bp guy. But I guess your point still stands. :D

[oldcubsfan]

ryan harvey was a batting practice monster

 

Dopirak was as well.

 

So was "the Creature"

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Babe Ruth only hit 180 in BP

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

Sergio Metre was putting them in the second deck in Atlanta when he was first called up in BP.

[hardcorecubfan]

Somebody explain why we needed a third basemen? Is he going to be a good back-up for Rameriz?? Isn't Ramirez our futur?? Are we willing to wait for five years to bring him up or is he going to be groomed for our SS position?

 

I like the philosophy get pitchers and then trade for position players, but if someone can explain these questions please do

[Guest]

Somebody explain why we needed a third basemen? Is he going to be a good back-up for Rameriz?? Isn't Ramirez our futur?? Are we willing to wait for five years to bring him up or is he going to be groomed for our SS position?

 

I like the philosophy get pitchers and then trade for position players, but if someone can explain these questions please do

 

 

He's 17! If he hits enough to be in the majors in less than 5 years, the Cubs will find a position for him.

[nilodnayr]

Somebody explain why we needed a third basemen? Is he going to be a good back-up for Rameriz?? Isn't Ramirez our futur?? Are we willing to wait for five years to bring him up or is he going to be groomed for our SS position?

 

I like the philosophy get pitchers and then trade for position players, but if someone can explain these questions please do

 

Never hurts to have backups. But he'll most likely move to the OF.

[Outshined_One]

Somebody explain why we needed a third basemen? Is he going to be a good back-up for Rameriz?? Isn't Ramirez our futur?? Are we willing to wait for five years to bring him up or is he going to be groomed for our SS position?

 

I like the philosophy get pitchers and then trade for position players, but if someone can explain these questions please do

 

It's simple.

 

The MLB Draft, unlike the NBA and NFL Drafts, is not about need. If a team has two potential All Star 3Bs in its system and the best player on the board when they pick is a 3B, they should still take the guy. The reasoning is fairly sound...

 

1) Depth is a team's greatest asset. You never know when a player will slump horribly, regress, or get injured. A good example of this paying off for a team is what happened with the Phillies when Ryan Howard was starting to break through despite Jim Thome blocking him. Thome had a down year and Howard picked up the slack in impressive fashion. Moreover, thanks to Howard doing so well, the Phillies were able to trade Thome for a decent package.

 

2) On a similar note, this kind of depth adds flexibility in terms of trade value. A good example of this is what happened with the Braves this year. Brian McCann was blocking Jarrod Saltalamacchia despite both having very good ceilings. So, Atlanta went with the more polished Catcher and ended up trading for Mark Teixeira, one of the best young hitters in baseball, using Salty as the major chip.

 

3) Finally, if a player really is good enough to play in the majors on a regular basis, a team will find a way to play him regularly. If Vitters turns into the hitter everyone hopes he'll become, he'll have a bat that'll be good enough to be used at pretty much any position.

 

Now, you can argue until you're blue in the face over whether Vitters was the right pick talent-wise compared to someone like Wieters, but those three things I outlined above pretty much apply to any potential draftee. Drafting out of need is just a mistake in baseball.

[Guest]

Somebody explain why we needed a third basemen? Is he going to be a good back-up for Rameriz?? Isn't Ramirez our futur?? Are we willing to wait for five years to bring him up or is he going to be groomed for our SS position?

 

I like the philosophy get pitchers and then trade for position players, but if someone can explain these questions please do

 

Never hurts to have backups. But he'll most likely move to the OF.

 

I don't see the OF. If he moves positions (which I don't see as he's about average for a 17-year old 3B defensively), it'll be to first base.

[hardcorecubfan]

at 17, which I did not know, he is definetly a ball of clay ready to be molded, let's hope the sculptor is skilled.