The Cubs have started Spring Training with a 2-0 record, notching wins against the LA Dodgers, 5-3 on Wednesday and the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-3 on Thursday.
Joey Gathright started the spring going 3-3 on Thursday, with an RBI and three singles. Micah Hoffpauir hit a go-ahead grand slam in Wednesday's contest, catapulting the Cubs to a win.
Both Gathright and Hoffpauir need to show coach Lou Pinella they can play consistent baseball to secure a spot on the 25 man roster. In past years, the Cubs have weltered, ever so quickly, in the playoffs. If the Cubs want consistent play in September and October, these young players must perform and fit into the mix, giving veteran players spot days off during the long 182 game season.
In other news, newly acquired Milton Bradley took himself out of Thursday's game because of tightness in his quad. This is not something Cubs fans want to see, but keep your heads up, it is the 2nd game of a 39-game spring.
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I think Hoffpauir is a great player to have on the bench. The guy can flat-out hit a baseball.
ReplyDeleteGathright has been a bust since entering the league. In my opinion, he will be a career platoon outfielder with unbelievable speed and an incomplete repertoire. I realize he is still young and developing, but his career batting average is .262. In his best season, he stole 22 bases in 134 games. If your biggest asset is speed, I think Gathright needs to show more consistency at the plate and be a bigger risk taker on the base paths.
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