Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 9:28:52 GMT -5
As the Cubs continue with their rebuild going in to the 1956 season, we're going to take a position by position look at the Cubs roster prior to impending free agency and the amateur draft.
The Catchers:
Carl Sawatski, the incumbant. Swats has seemingly been the Cubs "catcher of the future" forever. Now entering his age 28 season, Swats only has a lifetime .231 batting average and is a free agent to be. Cubs brass had grown tired of waiting for Swats and had soured on him somewhat leading to their trade last season with Pittsburgh that brought over youngster Danny Kravitz. However, a funny thing happened after the trade. Swats started to hit. He hit .310 after the break and had career highs in doubles, homers, rbi's, runs and batting average when it was all said and done. Catchers typically mature late so it's possible that the light has finally turned on. The Cubs will have a decision to make as Kravitz is nearly ready with an anticipated arrival date of later this year or possibly 1957. Either way, it looks like at least the position may not be a weakness in the lineup going in to the season.
Danny Kravitz, the future? At 25 years old, Kravitz is somewhat old for a prospect, and many in the organization question whether or not defensively he's good enough to stay behind the plate. Can play 1B or the OF as well, but is going to have a hard time finding playing time there with the youngsters the Cubs have coming up. Finished the season in AAA and struggled there with the bat. Will start the season at AAA. Lefty bat is probably ready right now to at least play a bench role, question going forward is whether or not he's the catcher of the future, or simply a versatile bench bat.
Jim Fanning, the caddy. Fanning ended up being Sawatski's backup last year, and despite never really being known for his bat, ended up hitting .300. There are probably better alternatives at AAA from a pure talent standpoint, but he'll start the season in Chicago again, albeit, receiving less at bats most likely. He started a number of games vs. lefties last year and the Cubs seem determined to make Swats the every day guy this year.
Dick Rand, AAA. Rand's bat probably matches up better with Sawatski's as Rand absolutely kills lefties and would give Swat's a nice complement on day's the Cubs face tough lefties. However, that bat really struggled last year at AAA in a backup role. Slated to start the year as AAA backup again at only 24 years old will be making his third go-round in AAA. He's younger than Fanning, more talented, and equal defensively, just may not ever get a chance. If Kravitz gets called up at any point may get look as a starter in AAA.
Dutch Dotterer, AA. Dotterer was acquired from the Reds back in 1953. Never really considered a prospect, but he's been a consistent bat in the system. Just finished second go round in AA. Hit .270 and .274 respectively with 12 homers both seasons. Probably has accomplished about all he has to accomplish at this level and should see a promotion to AAA at some point this season. Great defensively, but bat probably relegates him to a backup at the big league level.
Harry Chiti, A. Chiti has done three tours of duty at A ball now, hitting over .300 each year. Really needs to be tested at AA, but Cubs backlog of mediocre catchers seems to have him stuck right now. I would anticipate a move up as Dotterer and Kravitz move up. Dotterer is more talented and at this point Chiti projects as a backup. Only 23, still time to develop, and the results have always been there.
Jim Campbell, A. Campbell is a lightly regarded former 6th round pick, however, he had a very nice season with the bat last year, batting .331. At 18, already has two A ball seasons under his belt. Probably ready for a promotion, but again, backlog of mediocre catchers.
The first basemen:
Norm Cash, the franchise. No doubt who the first baseman of the future is, only question is, is the future now? Some disagreement within organization about whether to break camp with Cash or give him a little more AAA seasoning. Hit 34 HR's in just under 500 AB's between AA and AAA in his first pro season, but only hit .259 in AAA and really struggled with lefties. Cubs expect him to be their cleanup hitter for a long time so rushing him doesn't do anyone any good. While Cubs hope to be better this year, it's unrealistic to think a playoff run is in the picture. Will certainly be up at some point this year, the question is just whether it's to start the season, or if the Cubs send him to AAA and start the year with......
Fuzzy Richards? Still only 28, Richards has shown glimpses. In 1953 hit 3 homers in the first week of the season off the bench, only to end the season with.......four. Last year was top left handed hitter off bench and hit .270 with four homers. In just under 250 lifetime at bats Richards is a .270 hitter with 8 homers. Could provide moderate pop and decent average against righties until Cash is ready, but would need a platoon partner. Another option could be.......
Preston Ward? Cubs patience has worn thin with Ward, and many thought they'd let him walk rather than offer him arbitration, but the uncertainty surrounding Cash's readiness probably kept him on the roster. The Cubs have tried to give Ward opportunities the last few years to show he belonged in the lineup and he can't seem to put things together. The power is there, probably has more patience than Richards, but Richards has the results. He's a free agent after the season and this is probably his last chance to show that he can hit big league pitching. Again, would need a platoon partner, and that partner could be.........
Bruce Edwards. Cubs signed Edwards to a 3 year deal at the end of the 53 season and immediately regretted it as Edwards quit hitting and was passed by younger bats as a bench bat. Ended up sitting the AAA bench, not what the Cubs had in mind for 1.2 million. However, he's always hit lefties well, and while not providing much power, could hit for some doubles and average. A better option could be....
Billy Gardner. Sure showed he could hit lefties throughout the minors, but really struggled with the bat last year in his rookie year. Only batted .200 with no homers in 150 AB's, typically would have been demoted, but Cubs had nothing to lose by letting him play. Complicating matters is the fact that he plays all infield positions and Cubs may very well prefer to have his flexibility on the bench.
Mike Solomko seems to have been moved to left field on a permanent basis with Cash ahead of him so we'll look at him there. Cubs really have no other 1B in the system, which is understandable to a point with Cash, but you can't simply ignore the position in case something happens to Cash.
Another thing to wonder is would the Cubs move Ernie Banks to 1B until Cash is ready and let someone else play SS? Certainly possible, but it's not like the Cubs have any real candidates to play SS unless they sign someone in FA.
The second basemen:
Bill Serena, the incumbant. Maybe. Serena struggled through the entire season and enters his free agent year trying to hold on to his job. Will most likely be the starter based upon the fact that there are few other options. Power is there, patience is there, batting average is not. Dan Uggla light pre-cursor? Hit really well vs. lefties, so a platoon wouldn't be out of the question if the Cubs had options. There are few. But if there was one, it could be...............
Vern Morgan. Morgan hit well last year, hitting .291, but surprisingly, also hit lefties better than righties. One would think that that's an aberration, but with very little power, would the Cubs really feel better with an empty batting average bat as opposed to a decent power, no batting average bat? Serena has the upside, Morgan's versatility makes him a better fit on the bench.
Earl Weaver, the "temporary" future? Weaver's glove is already better than both guys on the major league roster, the problem is, that's really his only real talent. Certainly capable of not hurting the Cubs with the bat, can get on base some, hit a few doubles, but the bat will most likely prevent him from being a long term starter. Probably will need to learn shortstop and/or third base to be a long term bench guy. Still, very well may be the Cubs starting second baseman next year while they wait for...........
Bill Mazeroski, the "answer". Cubs are sold that Maz is the long term solution, but he's still a couple of years away most likely. Got his AA promotion last year, but only hit .236. Some scouts still think he's ready to start at AAA this year. Glove is certainly ready, but more likely to get at least some additional seasoning at AA, if not stay the entire season there. Cubs don't have to be in a hurry again, and will not rush him. Plan is for him to be a key to future teams once he gets here.
Part two to follow.
The Catchers:
Carl Sawatski, the incumbant. Swats has seemingly been the Cubs "catcher of the future" forever. Now entering his age 28 season, Swats only has a lifetime .231 batting average and is a free agent to be. Cubs brass had grown tired of waiting for Swats and had soured on him somewhat leading to their trade last season with Pittsburgh that brought over youngster Danny Kravitz. However, a funny thing happened after the trade. Swats started to hit. He hit .310 after the break and had career highs in doubles, homers, rbi's, runs and batting average when it was all said and done. Catchers typically mature late so it's possible that the light has finally turned on. The Cubs will have a decision to make as Kravitz is nearly ready with an anticipated arrival date of later this year or possibly 1957. Either way, it looks like at least the position may not be a weakness in the lineup going in to the season.
Danny Kravitz, the future? At 25 years old, Kravitz is somewhat old for a prospect, and many in the organization question whether or not defensively he's good enough to stay behind the plate. Can play 1B or the OF as well, but is going to have a hard time finding playing time there with the youngsters the Cubs have coming up. Finished the season in AAA and struggled there with the bat. Will start the season at AAA. Lefty bat is probably ready right now to at least play a bench role, question going forward is whether or not he's the catcher of the future, or simply a versatile bench bat.
Jim Fanning, the caddy. Fanning ended up being Sawatski's backup last year, and despite never really being known for his bat, ended up hitting .300. There are probably better alternatives at AAA from a pure talent standpoint, but he'll start the season in Chicago again, albeit, receiving less at bats most likely. He started a number of games vs. lefties last year and the Cubs seem determined to make Swats the every day guy this year.
Dick Rand, AAA. Rand's bat probably matches up better with Sawatski's as Rand absolutely kills lefties and would give Swat's a nice complement on day's the Cubs face tough lefties. However, that bat really struggled last year at AAA in a backup role. Slated to start the year as AAA backup again at only 24 years old will be making his third go-round in AAA. He's younger than Fanning, more talented, and equal defensively, just may not ever get a chance. If Kravitz gets called up at any point may get look as a starter in AAA.
Dutch Dotterer, AA. Dotterer was acquired from the Reds back in 1953. Never really considered a prospect, but he's been a consistent bat in the system. Just finished second go round in AA. Hit .270 and .274 respectively with 12 homers both seasons. Probably has accomplished about all he has to accomplish at this level and should see a promotion to AAA at some point this season. Great defensively, but bat probably relegates him to a backup at the big league level.
Harry Chiti, A. Chiti has done three tours of duty at A ball now, hitting over .300 each year. Really needs to be tested at AA, but Cubs backlog of mediocre catchers seems to have him stuck right now. I would anticipate a move up as Dotterer and Kravitz move up. Dotterer is more talented and at this point Chiti projects as a backup. Only 23, still time to develop, and the results have always been there.
Jim Campbell, A. Campbell is a lightly regarded former 6th round pick, however, he had a very nice season with the bat last year, batting .331. At 18, already has two A ball seasons under his belt. Probably ready for a promotion, but again, backlog of mediocre catchers.
The first basemen:
Norm Cash, the franchise. No doubt who the first baseman of the future is, only question is, is the future now? Some disagreement within organization about whether to break camp with Cash or give him a little more AAA seasoning. Hit 34 HR's in just under 500 AB's between AA and AAA in his first pro season, but only hit .259 in AAA and really struggled with lefties. Cubs expect him to be their cleanup hitter for a long time so rushing him doesn't do anyone any good. While Cubs hope to be better this year, it's unrealistic to think a playoff run is in the picture. Will certainly be up at some point this year, the question is just whether it's to start the season, or if the Cubs send him to AAA and start the year with......
Fuzzy Richards? Still only 28, Richards has shown glimpses. In 1953 hit 3 homers in the first week of the season off the bench, only to end the season with.......four. Last year was top left handed hitter off bench and hit .270 with four homers. In just under 250 lifetime at bats Richards is a .270 hitter with 8 homers. Could provide moderate pop and decent average against righties until Cash is ready, but would need a platoon partner. Another option could be.......
Preston Ward? Cubs patience has worn thin with Ward, and many thought they'd let him walk rather than offer him arbitration, but the uncertainty surrounding Cash's readiness probably kept him on the roster. The Cubs have tried to give Ward opportunities the last few years to show he belonged in the lineup and he can't seem to put things together. The power is there, probably has more patience than Richards, but Richards has the results. He's a free agent after the season and this is probably his last chance to show that he can hit big league pitching. Again, would need a platoon partner, and that partner could be.........
Bruce Edwards. Cubs signed Edwards to a 3 year deal at the end of the 53 season and immediately regretted it as Edwards quit hitting and was passed by younger bats as a bench bat. Ended up sitting the AAA bench, not what the Cubs had in mind for 1.2 million. However, he's always hit lefties well, and while not providing much power, could hit for some doubles and average. A better option could be....
Billy Gardner. Sure showed he could hit lefties throughout the minors, but really struggled with the bat last year in his rookie year. Only batted .200 with no homers in 150 AB's, typically would have been demoted, but Cubs had nothing to lose by letting him play. Complicating matters is the fact that he plays all infield positions and Cubs may very well prefer to have his flexibility on the bench.
Mike Solomko seems to have been moved to left field on a permanent basis with Cash ahead of him so we'll look at him there. Cubs really have no other 1B in the system, which is understandable to a point with Cash, but you can't simply ignore the position in case something happens to Cash.
Another thing to wonder is would the Cubs move Ernie Banks to 1B until Cash is ready and let someone else play SS? Certainly possible, but it's not like the Cubs have any real candidates to play SS unless they sign someone in FA.
The second basemen:
Bill Serena, the incumbant. Maybe. Serena struggled through the entire season and enters his free agent year trying to hold on to his job. Will most likely be the starter based upon the fact that there are few other options. Power is there, patience is there, batting average is not. Dan Uggla light pre-cursor? Hit really well vs. lefties, so a platoon wouldn't be out of the question if the Cubs had options. There are few. But if there was one, it could be...............
Vern Morgan. Morgan hit well last year, hitting .291, but surprisingly, also hit lefties better than righties. One would think that that's an aberration, but with very little power, would the Cubs really feel better with an empty batting average bat as opposed to a decent power, no batting average bat? Serena has the upside, Morgan's versatility makes him a better fit on the bench.
Earl Weaver, the "temporary" future? Weaver's glove is already better than both guys on the major league roster, the problem is, that's really his only real talent. Certainly capable of not hurting the Cubs with the bat, can get on base some, hit a few doubles, but the bat will most likely prevent him from being a long term starter. Probably will need to learn shortstop and/or third base to be a long term bench guy. Still, very well may be the Cubs starting second baseman next year while they wait for...........
Bill Mazeroski, the "answer". Cubs are sold that Maz is the long term solution, but he's still a couple of years away most likely. Got his AA promotion last year, but only hit .236. Some scouts still think he's ready to start at AAA this year. Glove is certainly ready, but more likely to get at least some additional seasoning at AA, if not stay the entire season there. Cubs don't have to be in a hurry again, and will not rush him. Plan is for him to be a key to future teams once he gets here.
Part two to follow.
