The future of Jake Fox

champaignchris · August 24, 2009

He's obviously a major league hitter. The question is what position he plays and where he fits in to the Cubs.

Lee and Bradley are both free agents after 2010. Shouldn't he gradually be phased into Right or 1B?

I don't want to see the guy Murton'ed, especially since I think he's a much better hitter than Murton ever was or will be.

soapy · August 24, 2009

I think the best short-term option is to bring him back next year as a super-sub able to fill-in at LF, RF, 3B, 1B and even C next season. He should get a ton of PAs being able to play all of those positions. Long-term his best bet is probably LF or RF is he stays with the Cubs.

fromthestretch · August 24, 2009

He's obviously a major league hitter. The question is what position he plays and where he fits in to the Cubs.

Lee and Bradley are both free agents after 2010. Shouldn't he gradually be phased into Right or 1B?

I don't want to see the guy Murton'ed, especially since I think he's a much better hitter than Murton ever was or will be.

Bradley's not a free agent until after 2011.

Banedon · August 24, 2009

Long-term his best bet is probably LF or RF is he stays with the Cubs.

Why not 1B? Just don't want him involved in that many defensive plays?

hardcorecubfan · August 24, 2009

Winter ball we should ask if he can catch several games so he can stay sharp at that position, it would also help him with his defense

nick23 · August 24, 2009

I think the best short-term option is to bring him back next year as a super-sub able to fill-in at LF, RF, 3B, 1B and even C next season. He should get a ton of PAs being able to play all of those positions. Long-term his best bet is probably LF or RF is he stays with the Cubs.

I think he's perfect for the super-sup role. The fact that he can catch even opens up the possibilty of maybe pinch hitting/running for Koyie Hill late in games.

champaignchris · August 24, 2009

He's obviously a major league hitter. The question is what position he plays and where he fits in to the Cubs.

Lee and Bradley are both free agents after 2010. Shouldn't he gradually be phased into Right or 1B?

I don't want to see the guy Murton'ed, especially since I think he's a much better hitter than Murton ever was or will be.

Bradley's not a free agent until after 2011.

You're right. Don't know how I fudged that up. But 2010 is Lee's walk year, right?

champaignchris · August 24, 2009

I didn't suggest 3b, because I'm assuming at this point Vitters is projected to be the eventual replacement for Ram.

soapy · August 24, 2009

Long-term his best bet is probably LF or RF is he stays with the Cubs.

Why not 1B? Just don't want him involved in that many defensive plays?

Partly, but also because I think shifting Ramirez to 1B if Vitters pans out is a good possibility. That's a big if though.

fromthestretch · August 24, 2009

He's obviously a major league hitter. The question is what position he plays and where he fits in to the Cubs.

Lee and Bradley are both free agents after 2010. Shouldn't he gradually be phased into Right or 1B?

I don't want to see the guy Murton'ed, especially since I think he's a much better hitter than Murton ever was or will be.

Bradley's not a free agent until after 2011.

You're right. Don't know how I fudged that up. But 2010 is Lee's walk year, right?

Correct.

Geech · August 24, 2009

Vitters is still pretty far from the big leagues. I don't think it's wise to count on him being a productive big-league 3B yet.

gflore34 · August 24, 2009

Long term future I don't know but, his immediate future should be taking over LF for the remainder of the season. Soriano' at least, this season, is done, being so, he's not going to help a club looking to make a run. Not that I believe the Cubs are going make a run mind you but, any possibility of run surely doesn't include Soriano.

Fred Hornkohl · August 24, 2009

He's obviously a major league hitter.

Isn't that the same thing we said about these guys last year ??

03/31 - 10/04      AB    R    H   2b   3b   HR  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS  BABIP  P/PA   IsoD   RBI%
Fontenot          249   42   76   22    1    9   40   34   51  0.305  0.394  0.510  0.904  0.354  3.97  0.089  0.214
Hoffpauir          73   14   25    8    0    2    8    6   24  0.342  0.400  0.534  0.934  0.489  3.75  0.058  0.214
Soto              505   66  143   36    2   23   86   63  124  0.283  0.362  0.499  0.861  0.335  3.98  0.079  0.196

Banedon · August 24, 2009

Soto could also be included in that.

Fred Hornkohl · August 24, 2009

Soto could also be included in that.

Sure. Why not?

champaignchris · August 24, 2009

Soto could also be included in that.

Sure. Why not?

He's a couple years younger than Fontenot and Hoff were last year, with a much better minor league track record. That said, you've got a point.

Hoff, I think we can chalk up to sample size, and Soto to injury. Besides, while not all-star quality, Soto hasn't been that far off of adequate production from an average starting catcher. I'm still not sure what's happened to Fontenot, though... His OPS has dropped ~.230 against lefties. So it's not like we can chalk it all up to the fact that he's facing a lot more right handers as the regular starter.

dew1679666265 · August 24, 2009

Soto could also be included in that.

Sure. Why not?

He's a couple years younger than Fontenot and Hoff were last year, with a much better minor league track record. That said, you've got a point.

Hoff, I think we can chalk up to sample size, and Soto to injury. Besides, while not all-star quality, Soto hasn't been that far off of adequate production from an average starting catcher. I'm still not sure what's happened to Fontenot, though... His OPS has dropped ~.230 against lefties. So it's not like we can chalk it all up to the fact that he's facing a lot more right handers as the regular starter.

Soto had the one big season his final year of AAA, but otherwise both Fontenot and Hoff were better minor league hitters.

Soto career minor league: .280/.360/.429/.789

Fontenot career minor league: .291/.366/.437/.803

Hoff career minor league: .288/.344/.485/.829

jersey cubs fan · August 24, 2009

Soto could also be included in that.

Sure. Why not?

He's a couple years younger than Fontenot and Hoff were last year, with a much better minor league track record. That said, you've got a point.

Hoff, I think we can chalk up to sample size, and Soto to injury. Besides, while not all-star quality, Soto hasn't been that far off of adequate production from an average starting catcher. I'm still not sure what's happened to Fontenot, though... His OPS has dropped ~.230 against lefties. So it's not like we can chalk it all up to the fact that he's facing a lot more right handers as the regular starter.

Soto had the one big season his final year of AAA, but otherwise both Fontenot and Hoff were better minor league hitters.

Soto career minor league: .280/.360/.429/.789
Fontenot career minor league: .291/.366/.437/.803
Hoff career minor league: .288/.344/.485/.829

Soto was called up for good at age 25 though. When Hoffpauir was 25 he was horrible in AAA and his overall numbers didn't start to inflate until he got to repeat AA and AAA multiple times. Fontenot had an entire age 25 and half an age 26 season to pad those overall numbers. It's not very accurate to just say those guys were better minor league hitters.

jersey cubs fan · August 24, 2009

Furthermore, Soto had an entire season of being the regular catcher where he produced. Fontenot produced in limited duty as a platoon guy who got an easy job, and Hoffpauir barely played at all.

dew1679666265 · August 24, 2009

Soto could also be included in that.

Sure. Why not?

He's a couple years younger than Fontenot and Hoff were last year, with a much better minor league track record. That said, you've got a point.

Hoff, I think we can chalk up to sample size, and Soto to injury. Besides, while not all-star quality, Soto hasn't been that far off of adequate production from an average starting catcher. I'm still not sure what's happened to Fontenot, though... His OPS has dropped ~.230 against lefties. So it's not like we can chalk it all up to the fact that he's facing a lot more right handers as the regular starter.

Soto had the one big season his final year of AAA, but otherwise both Fontenot and Hoff were better minor league hitters.

Soto career minor league: .280/.360/.429/.789
Fontenot career minor league: .291/.366/.437/.803
Hoff career minor league: .288/.344/.485/.829

Soto was called up for good at age 25 though. When Hoffpauir was 25 he was horrible in AAA and his overall numbers didn't start to inflate until he got to repeat AA and AAA multiple times. Fontenot had an entire age 25 and half an age 26 season to pad those overall numbers. It's not very accurate to just say those guys were better minor league hitters.

That's a good point. I didn't consider their ages.

Sammys Boombox · August 24, 2009

Long term future I don't know but, his immediate future should be taking over LF for the remainder of the season. Soriano' at least, this season, is done, being so, he's not going to help a club looking to make a run. Not that I believe the Cubs are going make a run mind you but, any possibility of run surely doesn't include Soriano.

Actually, if the Cubs were to make a miraculous 1969 type Mets run or a 2007 Rockies run, they would need Soriano to go on one of his amazingly hot streaks. Again, not going to happen, but I think he would have to be a part of it.

RedFlash · August 25, 2009

Long term future I don't know but, his immediate future should be taking over LF for the remainder of the season. Soriano' at least, this season, is done, being so, he's not going to help a club looking to make a run. Not that I believe the Cubs are going make a run mind you but, any possibility of run surely doesn't include Soriano.

Actually, if the Cubs were to make a miraculous 1969 type Mets run or a 2007 Rockies run, they would need Soriano to go on one of his amazingly hot streaks. Again, not going to happen, but I think he would have to be a part of it.

Excluding a short run in the second half, Soriano hasn't been productive since April. I think for the rest of the yr, Fox gives he Cubs a better chance to win then Soriano. After the yr then reevaluate the situation.

Irrelevant Dude · August 25, 2009

I would keep Fox in the supersub role next year, looking toward giving him a chance at 1B in 2011 if he continues to hit. I wouldn't be opposed to trading him in the offseason, but it would have to be part of a significant deal.