Given the alternative of Fontenot as the left handed side of a second base platoon, I think Eric should probably trump him on the roster. The news of Chicago pursuing Castillo and Matsui does not suggest the Cubs think highly of either in-house option.

The Cubs are forcing Patterson into becoming an OF to improve his(you guessed it) versatility.

Colvin's a lot better player than people think. I saw him play several times late in the year and was impressed with what I saw. He's got the range to play CF and the arm to play RF.

-- MWE

Does he have the bat to play RF? And unless Pie bombs, he's not going to pass him in CF, right?

Colvin's 15/101 BB/K for a 1st round college player in A+/AA ball isn't exactly inspiring

Colvin's 15/101 BB/K for a 1st round college player in A+/AA ball isn't exactly inspiring

No, it's not inspiring. However, it's not something about which to be *overly* concerned, either, when you also factor in 35 doubles, 5 triples, and 16 HRs with a near-.300 BA and a contact rate of around 80%.

-- MWE

I think Colvin's pretty exciting. An .812 OPS and 56 XBH in 492 ABs as a 21 year old between FSL/AA is pretty darned good. The strikeouts fall into the generally acceptable range, though obviously some more walks would be nice.

I'd be a lot more excited about Colvin if the Cubs had any track record at all of developing such players.

The Cubs are forcing Patterson into becoming an OF to improve his(you guessed it) versatility.

Is that a long-term plan? From what I remember, this was being discussed immediately before Patterson joined the major league club. At the time I was under the impression it was an attempt to help the 2007 ball club.

Hey Mike, what's your take on Samardzija? His rep seems to indicate a high K/high BB pitcher but he isn't striking anybody out.

And yet, his ERAs aren't bad. He did a good job keeping the ball in the park at A+ (but not in his short time at AA). Do you see anything there to indicate he keeps the ball down or might otherwise succeed despite a low K rate?

I think Colvin's pretty exciting. An .812 OPS and 56 XBH in 492 ABs as a 21 year old between FSL/AA is pretty darned good.

No its not. It's passable. It's not something I would get excited about.

It's also the FSL and the Southern Leagues -- keep that in mind.

Hey Mike, what's your take on Samardzija?

He's going to be a good pitcher eventually, but he still has a lot of learning to do. He was hitting low-90s when I saw him at the end of the season (slow gun at Five County) but his breaking stuff was pedestrian, and he doesn't mix it in very well yet. I think the Cubs need to slow him down a bit; there's no rush.

Keeping the ball in the park is a lot easier in the FSL than it is in Sevierville.

Colvin posted an .850 OPS in the FSL; only five hitters posted better ones (Mat Gamel also posted an .850). As DJF notes, both the FSL and the Southern League are pitchers' leagues - Colvin's .774 OPS in the SL was significantly above the league average for that league, as well. I think he's probably still two years away, but he can play.

-- MWE

Thanks, Mike. I was wondering if he'd found a nice two-seamer. It makes sense that the Ks haven't come if he doesn't have any breaking stuff.

Is there any vaguely reliable method for calculating something akin to a league factor?

Had no idea Tyler Colvin was white.

Had no idea Tyler Colvin was white

Was? But he's not anymore?

Was? But he's not anymore?

Correct, Dr. Grammar. With my magic powers I've colored Mr. Colvin darker than the ace of spades.

So who's a good comp for Colvin?

Juan Encarnacion? Jose Guillen?

With my magic powers I've colored Mr. Colvin darker than the ace of spades.

Damn shame Dusty's no longer around, then. He'd have Colvin up by mid-season to handle that nasty Chicago midday heat.

So who's a good comp for Colvin?

Curtis Granderson is probably the current major leaguer I'd compare him to.