You know that news is rather light when you're writing about what you figured would happen all along: Starlin Castro will bat 2nd.
If everybody lives up to their capabilities, hopefully we don't have to do anything [different]," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Sunday of his projected lineup in which David DeJesus will lead off and be followed by Castro, Anthony Rizzo, Alfonso Soriano, Nate Schierholtz, Welington Castillo, Luis Valbuena and Darwin Barney.
"Right now, we'll start the season with [Castro] second," Sveum said of the shortstop, who turned 23 on Sunday. "I think he's matured so much in a year that he might end up in an RBI spot."
The lineup leaves a lot to be desired after Soriano. I'm not as high on Castillo as others, but my guess is that he'll be batting 5th before too long. If Brett Jackson can cut down on some of those strikeouts, he'd probably be a decent bat to hit behind Soriano.
Darwin Barney is a fantastic defender, but terrible hitter. The 7, 8 and 9 spots in the Cubs lineup is a cake walk for even a middle reliever.
Comments
dmick89 wrote:
False.
I was aware of one of your pre-ACB blogs but I don’t think I visited it more than once or twice.
I probably first encountered you on BCB a year or two before I started reading ACB. I was a relative latecomer to posting on ACB (pretty sure it was halfway through the glorious 2008 regular season).
I think that’s true about not believing you were closing down ACB. But the reason was because I’m pretty sure you threatened or attempted to close it down a couple times before that, but didn’t.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
2008 seems like so long ago now.
dmick89Quote Reply
The Cubs have sucked since I moved out of Chicago. Coincidence!?
joshQuote Reply
That’s only because they don’t have Z to bat 9th anymore.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
For what it’s worth, Schierholtz’ projections are slightly better than Welington’s. Nate’s barely worse than league average as a hitter.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
On the other hand, the only hitter in the lineup significantly above average is Rizzo (and even there, it’s only his projected ability. His career wRC+ is only 99).
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
@ Rizzo the Rat:
I think Castro will be above average this year, even though saying that forces me into agreement with Sveumy,
joshQuote Reply
@ josh:
The Cubs’ offense will also benefit from having decent bench players like Barney and Shcierholtz. Wait a minute…
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
So dmick. You are saying I don’t have to bc worry about OV going anywhere anytime soon? That’s good bc I’m tired of starting over with learning new online communities.
SVBQuote Reply
new shit
http://obstructedview.net/commentary-and-analysis/jim-leyland-just-wants-to-chillax.html
GWQuote Reply