Opening Day Blue Plate Special: Cubs Position Player Breakdown
Opening Night under the lights at Wrigley and it doesn’t get better. Old Style’s flowing. Bro’s are bro’ing. And you know the team on that field is going to be really, REALLY good this season. So in prep, I covered pitchers Friday where I essentially explained that the staff is good enough to win the World Series. It never hurts to strengthen an argument, though, so here’s here’s another 800 words on our position players with the slight caveat that I’m omitting Kris Bryant because simply put he’s in AAA Iowa.
And again, we’re winning the World Series in 2015.
I’d bet my distinguished journalism career on it.
Anthony Rizzo is leading the charge. He’s the best player in baseball that no one talks about. He’s been completely overshadowed by all this Bryant drama, and to be quite honest I think it’s only going to help. Rizzo is noted for being remarkably competitive. I can almost guarantee that part of him is sick and tired of taking questions on guys who haven’t cut their teeth. I would imagine there’s a chip on his shoulder to let everyone know that he is in fact the leader of this motherfucking team until further notice, which should be a very long time.
Starlin Castro is still the same fat doughy shortstop that can rake. He’s very poor defensively but has the ability to make up for it with the bat. Everyone knows that so no need to expound on that. Just want to say that his power numbers should increase, and hopefully that leads him to third base when Addison Russell is ready. Slide Kris Bryant out to left and we’re golden. But let’s cross that bridge when we get there, which will almost certainly be Spring Training 2016.
Other infielders include baseball’s nicest and most polite third baseman, Mike Olt, utility man Arismendy Alcantara and Tommy La Stella. Olt is looking to rebound after an up and down 2014. He has some of the rawest power in the division and can play both corner infield positions well. His key will be pitch recognition, which seemed to be no issue in his time in Iowa last season. It’s just a matter of translating it to the next level. Similarly, Alcantara has pitch recognition issues that limit his long-term value. He’s crazy dynamic though in that he can play all over the field and has enough power to make a pitcher think twice about laying in the 2-0/3-1 meatball. Maddon will have him playing all over, which will allow us to carry an extra catcher now or pitcher later in the season. I believe the experts would call that an advantage.
As for La Stella, he almost took my head off in college. I was a very mediocre pitcher while he was an All American at Coastal Carolina and the Cape Cod League batting champion. I threw him an absolutely brutal changeup that was headed for the other batters’ box. He promptly sent a fucking missile right back up the box and I promptly hit the deck looking for a fox hole in search of cover. It was embarrassing, so I said fuck it and spun a double play ball on the next hitter. (Aka line drive double play right to first baseman.) Then I went back down to the bullpen where I had secretly stashed a backup Chik Fil A sammy. I remember just sitting there thinking “holy fuck that Tommy La Stella dude almost killed me,” but then thinking “Wow this sandwich is delicious. I’m very happy I saved it.” Anyways, La Stella’s a pretty good hitter.
Our catching staff (is that a thing when you have more than two?) is very deep and balanced. Miguel Montero crushes right handed pitching but is average defensively. Wellington Castillo hits lefts very well and has more defensive upside than Montero. But Beef has problems calling games and working with the pithcers. Rounding out the trio is David Ross, who is almost more coach than player at this point. I like to think of him as a Jake Taylor 2.0.
Our outfield has also been drastically improved. Dexter Fowler takes over in center, hopefully ending the perpetual shit buffet we’ve been served in center since Corey Patterson’s knee exploded. He’ll be backed up by former Villanova standout and presumable stoolie, Matt Szczur. While small in stature, Szczur is allegedly the organization’s best athlete. That’ll play up well with Maddon’s managerial style and philosophy so hopefully he can carve out a nice spot as a productive fourth outfielder.
Flanking Fowler in rightfield is Jorge Soler, who probably has the biggest dick in baseball. Relevant or not, you have to admit that would be pretty impressive if true. BBC’s aside, Soler also has remarkable patience at the plate, which is generally rare for younger international players. But as we’ve seen many times before, Cuban players have really advanced skills early in their career. People rag on Puig for being immature but easily forget the fact that he posted a .382 OBP. You have to be a pretty smart fucking baseball player to do that, and Soler has shown very similar promise. In fact, scouts were split on the better prospect when the pair signed. Now that Soler is finally healthy and apparently matured, he’s a sleeper All Star selection in my book, which is not for sale.
Last but not least is leftfielder, Chris Coghlan. He’s a good hitter but unfortunately an even better butcher in the field. I think he’s good enough to warrant fan support, but I’m not married to him in a Cubs uniform. He’s an answer to a trivia question 10 years from now. The question?
“Name the starting left fielder on the 2015 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs.”
@barstoolcarl