Posted on 13 November 2010
H/W: 6-0 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 7/20/82
The former Michigan Wolverine had his best season as a pro last year between AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa, batting .287 with 31 HR 105 RBI 39 doubles and 93 runs scored. Determined to earn a ticket back to Wrigley longer than his 14 AB stint in 2007, Fox worked hard in the off season and put together an impressive spring in which he hit .350 with 4 HR and 16 RBI. Former teammate Micah Hoffpauir won a final roster spot, however, and Jake Fox was sent back to Iowa. Since that time, he has hit .432 with 11 HR 29 RBI and 21 runs scored in his first 18 games, pushing the envelope for another call up. Though he has the power to hit 25-30 HR at the major league level, Fox still struggles from time to time with his plate disicpline. He crushes fastballs, but often has a difficult time grinding out AB's once he himself into breaking ball counts. Defensively, Fox was a subpar catcher which prompted his move to a corner OF spot where he is...subpar. He is an adaquate first baseman, however, and would be an excellent candidate to DH for an American League club in the future.
2009 Projection: His hot start pretty much guarantees that he will get a call up at some point this spring or early summer. Cubbies free agent acquisition Milton Bradley is off to a miserable start and his checkered health history makes him a prime candidate for a DL stint at some point this season. Enter Jake Fox. Fox has the power capability to put up numbers in bunches but his below average plate discipline and defensive capabilities will likely have detrimental effects on his ability to sustain big numbers throughout an entire major league season. I bought a bevy of baseball card hobby boxes here of products bearing his key rookie cards because I feel so strongly about him. At 26, his career path is somewhat similar to Oakland A's slugger Jack Cust who spent several seasons as a minor league slugger before breaking out with in the Bay area as a one dimensional HR magnet.
Key Jake Fox Baseball Cards:
- 2003 UD Prospect Premieres Auto
- 2007 Bowman Sterling
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Posted on 11 December 2008
H/W: 6-6 195 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/11/86
The fourth time proved to be the charm for the TCU closer as the Cubs selected him with the 19th pick of the '08 draft. Cashner had a fine season for the Horned Frogs posting a 9-4 record with a 2.32 ERA 9 saves and 80 K's in 54.2 IP. Armed with an electrifying 98 MPH heater and a nasty 87-88 MPH slider, Cashner is unhittable at times. In addition to his imposing size, scouts have lauded his poise and tenacity on the mound as being ideal for a top notch closer. The big bugaboo about his game right now is his inconsistent command of his pure stuff. Cashner struggled mightily with his control during his '08 minor league stint, issuing 23 BB in just 20 innings, and his inability to work ahead in the count allowed hitters to get better swings on his fastball. Some of this may be attributed to the fact that his velocity experienced a significant jump from 90-92 MPH to 96-98 MPH before last season and he may be still learning to locate hs newfound stuff. Given his high draft position, the Cubs seem to be optimistic that he will.
2009 Projection: His performance this spring will determine whether the Cubs will start Cashner at either Low-A Peoria or High-A Daytona. If he can harness his control and keep his velocity, Cashner could move quickly through the Cubs' farm system as a late inning reliever. If not, Cashner may well join the ranks of Mark Prior, Donald Veal, and Mark Pawelek as recent Chicago Cubs high draft choice pitching busts.
Key Andrew Cashner Baseball Cards:
- 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/685
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Posted on 30 November 2008
H/W: 6-2 180 lb. B/T:R/R DOB: 10/26/87
Rosa has risen up the Chicago Cubs prospect chart after a fine full season showing at Peoria. Rosa's 43 doubles and 81 RBI for a mediocre team shows promise of more power to come from this young 1B prospect. Like many young hitters, Rosa strikes out too often and doesn't walk enough. Defensively, he is an adequate fielder at either infield corner though his bat will need to produce enough power to stay there. Rosa is still under the radar as many prospects go though his development into a notable everyday player is not a sure thing. Keep an eye on him at High-A Daytona next season. If he can bump the power numbers up and cut down the K totals, he may open a few more eyes.
Key RC's:
- 2008 Donruss Threads Gold Auto #/973
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Posted on 18 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 200 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 8/27/89
Vitters played almost exclusively at short season Boise and demonstrated why he was worthy of the $3.2 million bonus that the Chicago Cubs paid him. Vitters hit .328 with 5 HR 37 RBI and 25 doubles in 61 games. Vitters is an elite young hitter with his bat grading at a 70 on the popular 20-80 scouting scale for both hitting for average and hitting for power. His bat speed and hand-eye coordination is extremely high and he has shown an advanced ability for hitting the ball with power to all fields. Vitters should develop much greater HR totals soon as testified by his high number of doubles last season. His already strong frame projects to add more bulk as he matures. Josh is an aggressive hitter who doesn't strike out too often, and walks even less (once every 20 AB). Much of this can be due to Vitters' young age and developing knowledge of the strike zone and, optimistically, this number will improve in the upcoming seasons.
Defensively, Vitters is a work in progress. He has a strong arm and good hands, but his .915 fielding percentage shows that he is still quite raw at the hot corner. Vitters may find himself moving to 1B as he ages if he continues to struggle, though the Cubs are quite pleased with Vitters' work and determination to improve his defensive skills. Regardless of where he ends up, it will be his bat that will make Vitters a special player within the next three years.
2009 Projection: Vitters will start the season at Low-A Peoria and one should think that the Cubs will move him to High-A if he continues to rake the ball. Vitters should improve his walk rate over last year's totals. Watch to see how he performs defensively at the hot corner. Vitters has the bat to be a perennial 30 HR guy at the major league level which, as a 3B, would place him amongst the elite versus being a very good 1B. Vitters is still a few years away from his Wrigley debut, but his autographed cards in the 2007 Bowman Sterling and 2008 Bowman Chrome sets are hot commodities right now.
Key Josh Vitters Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/769
- 2007 Bowman Sterling
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Auto
- 2008 Donruss Threads Gold Signature Redemption Auto #/25
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Posted on 14 November 2008
H/W: 6-3 190 lb. B/T: L/L DOB: 9/5/85
Colvin's torrid August numbers resurrected an otherwise dismal season at AA Tennessee (.256 14 HR 80 RBI 27 doubles and 11 triples). Positively, Colvin nearly tripled his walk total from 15 in '07 to 44 this season. Colvin, the former 1st round pick from Clemson possesses above average tools across the board and his left-handed swing evokes comparisons to Steve Finley and Shawn Green. Defensively, Colvin profiles best as a CF or LF with above average Read the full story
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