Cubs’ Rookies Offer Hope for Future
Even though the Cubs’ season has not been very memorable thus far, the team’s rookies have been a bright spot and are providing hope for some memorable seasons in the future.
Starlin Castro gave the team a great moment in his debut when the 20-year-old introduced himself to the majors with a three-run homer and a three-run triple in his debut.
Of course Castro found it difficult to follow up that debut. He has improved as the season has gone on and the shortstop is establishing his future in Chicago. After all, you can’t rely on one rookie to turn an entire team’s season around.
Castro is joined by fellow rookie Tyler Colvin have given Cubs fans reasons to keep tuning in and keep the faith for the team’s future.
The two make a good combination on top of the batting order and fans should certainly be pleased with their performances so far.
GM Jim Hendry will soon have some tough decisions to make. He’ll have to decide if he’ll unload the contracts of future free agents Derrek Lee and Ted Lilly and other veterans. While many don’t want to give up on the Cubs season, it is a pipe dream that the team can stage a great turnaround this late into the season and reach the playoffs.
One plus is that these two rookies are playing so well at bargain prices while many of the Cubs veterans are not living up to the financial burden of their contracts. Both rookies have the tools to be stars in the majors.
Castro was a relatively cheap signing four years ago out of the Dominican Republic, earned his starting job by being terrific in the club’s farm system.
Colvin made the jump to the majors by working hard in a training program which gave the naturally lanky kid some muscle.
When asked whether he had ever batted leadoff before this season, Colvin answered: "No, never," said the strapping 2006 first-round pick. "Not once before this spring."
Both skipped Triple-A and made the jump to the majors. Colvin had an unbelievable spring training session as he hit everything he saw while Castro shot right through the system.
"He wasn't given anything," Cubs assistant GM Randy Bush said of Colvin. "He came to camp, and every projection we had he was ticketed to go back to the minor leagues for a little more seasoning. He just came out there and demanded to be given a spot the way he played."
Castro meanwhile is second in the batting order meaning the duo of rookies bat right before Lee and Aramis Ramirez.
"It's a nice position for a young kid to hit in," Piniella said. "The 2-hole's always a good position. You've got the meat of your lineup coming up and if they get behind you, they're going to give you something to hit. But you've still got to be able to handle the bat, and he's done that."
While Castro seems to be a good fit in the 2-hole for the near future, Colvin won't be a leadoff man for too long. He just has too much power to bat leadoff and would probably have to go down to the middle of the order, around third or fourth given his slugging power.
Certainly this season will be tough to turn around as the Cubs have only two months to catch the Cardinals and the Reds in the race for the division lead. However the Cubs may be setting themselves up for a bright future. If only the veterans and the pitching of the team would pick up their game, they may yet be able to save this season. Anything is still possible.
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