» Mike

Here is the second installment of Cubs In Focus, Second Base. Although this position is not definite yet, here are my projections:

Fontenot Starts At 2nd

Mike Fontenot

Mike Fontenot will start at 2nd for the Cubs this season, thats my projection, Lou has not said as much, but i thought he had the edge over Miles coming into the Spring and his performance up to now has only strengthened that it my opinion. Mike ‘Mini Babe Ruth’ Fontenot is known for his small stature but his ability to generate power using every aspect of his frame to do so. Last season Mike hit 9 home runs in just 243 AB’s, quite impressive for a part time player in the system.

Mike Fontenot and Ryan Theriot both played in the 2000 World Series for the LSU Tigers, a story that is often told, but what is often left out of the story is the fact that Mike Fontenot was the LSU Tigers leading hitter in the NCAA tournament hitting .432 with four doubles, two home runs and nine RBI’s. He has plenty of experience playing with Ryan, so they should form quite the partnership in the middle of the Cubs infield.

When given the oppurtunity to start, which he will be this season, he could have his break out year, expect good things from Fontenot, he is a hard worker, and a bright personality, he is also a left handed hitter that Lou and Jim Hendry were craving before the season.

Back-Up’s: Aaron Miles & Esteban German

Carlos Zambrano faced six hitters in Mondays game against Arizona and he struck out three of them. Zambrano looked in mid-season form in his first cactus league game, by not allowing any hits, or any runs in two innings of work. Carlos Marmol struck out 2 of the 3 batters that he faced in his inning of work. Marmol looked a lot sharper in his second appearence of the Spring.

Cubs batters were a little bit quiet in this one, Andres Blanco plated the only Cubs run with a RBI double. However it was the defense that sparkled the most. A day after a defensive nightmare, there were two highlight reel defensive plays, Joey Gathright made a diving grab in the 3rd inning, and Mike Fontenot threw a runner out at the plate in the 7th inning.

Cubs lose 9-1 to the D-Backs but the pitching and defense looked good.

The San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 4-2 today, the first team to do so this Spring. However 3 of the 4 runs the

Theriot hot with bat but cold with glove

Padres plated were of the un-earned variety. Jake Fox and Ryan Theriot each commited a error, then Theriot commited another for his 3rd error of the Spring.

The two runs the Cubs did plate came from unlikely sources, Doug Deeds and Ritchie Robnett who was recently acquired. Ryan Theriot fared better with the bat than he did with the glove, Theriot had 2 hits in 3 AB’s to send his Spring BA to .600. Mike Fontenot also collected 2 hits in 3 AB’s to send his Spring BA to .417.

Ryan Dempster was presented with poor defense, he pitched 2 innings of 2 hit, 3 run ball, all runs un-earned. Mike Stanton and Kevin Hart each pitched a scorless inning, both players are hopefull of making the major league club come opening day.

The Chicago Cubs continued there perfect start to Cactus League play by beating the Texas Rangers 10-4 Friday afternoon. Micah Hoffpauier, Mike Fontenot and Sam Fuld all homered for the Cubs as they moved past the Rangers in there first away game of the Spring.

Hoffpauier continued his strong spring by sending a 3 run shot in the stands, he now has 7 RBI’s this spring. Mike Fontenot who will be hoping to get more than 400 at bats this season for the first time in his major league career helped his cause by hitting a 2 run homer and also driving in two more runs.

Ted Lilly in his only cactus league start before leaving to join the USA camp, pitched two innings of scoreless ball. Rivas and Johnson knocked in the other runs as the Cubs continued there preperation for the new major league season.

Carlos Marmol is considering not pitching in the WBC, Lou Piniella made a joke comment to Marmol that while he was away pitching in the WBC, Kevin Gregg would be in Mesa pitching 98mph fast balls. Marmol and Gregg will compete for the closers role and Marmol doesn’t want to miss a beat, however he commented that it is always hard to turn down your country. He is expected to make a decision today on whether he will pitch in the WBC or stay in Mesa with the Cubs, I’m hoping that it is the latter.

Jeff Samardzija will pitch the opening cactus league game Wednesday agains’t the LA Dodgers at HoHoKam Park. Samardzija will be vying for the 5th starters role with Sean Marshall and Aaron Heilman. The young hurler from Notre Dame will be given the ball first and asked to show what he can do. Samardzija spent the majority of last season in the Cubs bullpen so will need stretching out if he is going to be considered for the 5th starters role. Set rotation pitchers like Carls Zambrano and Ryan Dempster will now pitch until the second week of games.

Rich Harden is yet to face live hitters, Lou is holding him back to make sure that his shoulder is fully healthy. Harden will pitch two more side sessions before facing the likes of Soriano and Bradley in live batting practice. Harden has commented that he feels great, and his daily routine to get himself ready to go is working fine.

Koyie Hill and Paul Bako will compete this spring to be Geovany Soto’s backup. Bako has collected quite the number of Jerseys from being moved around so much, he doesn’t offer much on the offensive side of the ball, but he can continue to mentor Soto, who is going into his 2nd full season with the Cubs. A little bit of healthy competition never hurt anyone.

The Cubs might be looking for extra infield help, although carrying 12 pitchers and 13 position players does not give much room for Wiggle. As of right now there is not a back-up for A-Ram at 3rd base, DeRosa who took on that role last season is now in Cleveland. Jake Fox has been taking ground balls at 3rd, however with a back up catcher, Hoffpauier, Johnson, Gathwright, and either Miles or Fontenot, there is not much room left to add cover at 3rd.