How long before Murton is the everyday starter?

[anemic offense]

Note: Walka and Barrett are interchangeable. Aram and Burny are too for that matter.

[CubinNY]

I don't quite understand some people's obession with Adam Dunn. Not that you necessarily fall into that category but a monstrous power hitter, who plays poor defense, is slow, and strikes out a ton helps this team how? Right now our biggest weakness is a lack of run scorers, not run produces.

 

It seems like every week we have to revisit this topic, however, here it goes. Dunn is also a high OBP guy, that is what makes him so unique. He is on pace to score 100 runs this year. He is a high strike out guy, yes but he is much more than just high k/ high HR. Much, much more. And he is only 25 to boot.

[Balsa]

Too bad about Murton's AB today. He was just WAY too anxious to hit the ball and win the game. He needs to keep in mind that the pitchers HAS to pitch strikes to him, because a walk would be just as good.

 

Very high pressure situation for a rookie. Next time I'm sure he'll do better.

[Iceblink]

He won't get a shot at everyday until he's dealt off. Baker will credit himself w/ putting Murton in the right type of situations. Every hit Murton has got so far is due to Dusty. Jmo but I agree w/ BBB that the Cubs will deal for a LF, and my guess is Floyd. Sorry but Floyd > Murton.

 

Agree with that. Floyd is a better fit for the lineup, and he'd actually get to play everyday. He's almost 34, so 10 years of Murton still > Floyd? No way to know today, obviously.

 

Murton is a better fit than Hollandsworth or Hairston or Gerut (until Gerut shows he's got anything in that leg), but if Dusty got that, he wouldn't bat him 8th. If only Murton could put on a fake beard and some crow lines around the eyes to trick Dusty into thinking he's really 35.

[oldcubsfan]

Never is the answer to the original question. He is perfect trade bait.

[mtkafka]

You guys need to chill with the Murton expectations. Just like alot of people pined for Dubois and Hairston to start (and Holls to start earlier this year), be real... alot of the Cubs OF is a bunch of filler fourth outfielders, besides Burnitz.

 

I'm curious what REAL expectations people have of Murton? I personally see a right handed average fielding average arm Outfielder with a swing and approach to the plate ala Grudzialanek...anything more is asking too much imo.

 

I couldb e wrong with what little I've seen of Murton, but I just don't see the vastly superior hitting of Murton over a Hairston, Hollandsworth or Dubois.

 

etc

[Outshined_One]

Realistically with Murton, I'm expecting...

 

-A guy with a good grasp of the strike zone.

-Some one who knows how to protect the plate with two strikes.

-A marginal power hitter who can hit his share of gappers and possibly get 20 HRs in his prime.

-An above average baserunner who can steal bases when asked.

-Decent range in the OF, but a mediocre arm.

-Some one who can draw his share of walks in a season.

-Some one who can lay down a bunt and potentially bunt for a hit.

-Plenty of hustle to get the most out of his abilities.

 

I'm not expecting a Hall of Fame career, much less numerous All Star Game appearances. However, his approach and maturity are both advanced for a rookie, meaning that he is able to adapt himself to the majors and stick.

 

I predict that when all is said and done, he'll be an above average LF who can hit in the 2 or 6 hole effectively. Todd Walker might not be a bad comp hitter-wise.

[XZero771679666304]

You guys need to chill with the Murton expectations. Just like alot of people pined for Dubois and Hairston to start (and Holls to start earlier this year), be real... alot of the Cubs OF is a bunch of filler fourth outfielders, besides Burnitz.

 

I'm curious what REAL expectations people have of Murton? I personally see a right handed average fielding average arm Outfielder with a swing and approach to the plate ala Grudzialanek...anything more is asking too much imo.

 

I couldb e wrong with what little I've seen of Murton, but I just don't see the vastly superior hitting of Murton over a Hairston, Hollandsworth or Dubois.

 

etc

 

Hollandsworth has put up the following line this month: .206/.271/.365

 

Outside of a couple weeks in June, Holla hasn't done anything all season.

 

 

You're telling me that Murton hasn't looked much better than Holla? Come on.

[mtkafka]

You guys need to chill with the Murton expectations. Just like alot of people pined for Dubois and Hairston to start (and Holls to start earlier this year), be real... alot of the Cubs OF is a bunch of filler fourth outfielders, besides Burnitz.

 

I'm curious what REAL expectations people have of Murton? I personally see a right handed average fielding average arm Outfielder with a swing and approach to the plate ala Grudzialanek...anything more is asking too much imo.

 

I couldb e wrong with what little I've seen of Murton, but I just don't see the vastly superior hitting of Murton over a Hairston, Hollandsworth or Dubois.

 

etc

 

Hollandsworth has put up the following line this month: .206/.271/.365

 

Outside of a couple weeks in June, Holla hasn't done anything all season.

 

 

You're telling me that Murton hasn't looked much better than Holla? Come on.

 

I'm not saying Murton is better or worse, I'm just saying based on the AB's I've seen of him, I don't find him anything particularly great... except that he DOES use the right field to hit... but then again he only has 34 AB's total. Lets remember last year when Dubois was the talk of the boards as was Hollandsworth over Sosa? Look at it as just another prospect imo. I just find it premature to talk of Murton as the saviour in LF. I definitely would have him start more (not many starting LF/CF options as is) to see what he can do, but wouldn't expect much. Whether he takes walks, hits alot or gets on base more remains to be proven imo.

 

etc