2012 Overview: To say that third base play in Chicago was poor in 2012 is an exceptional understatement. Luis Valbuena received the bulk of the playing time of the position, amassing a very bad .219/.310/.340/.650 line. For the fifth straight year, Valbuena overwhelmed AAA pitching, showing that he isn't gaining much from his time in the minor leagues. He then received his third career season with more than 300 MLB plate appearances with awful results.
Sadly, the other options were even worse than Valbuena. Ian Stewart once again conveyed that his early-career success in Colorado was a mirage. The former elite prospect stumbled to a .201/.292/.335/.627 line before shutting down for the season with mid-summer wrist surgery. Stewart did manage to hit for a bit of power, but looked so lost at the plate for most of his plate appearances that it's very difficult to imagine him being a major leaguer for more than one or two more seasons.
Josh Vitters produced the worst line that I have seen in my 26 years, even considering his minimal opportunities. Over 109 plate appearances, Vitters hit to a .121/.192/.202/.395 line. Breathtaking...in that it makes breathing difficult when I consider how spectacularly bad Vitters was. However, unlike Valbuena and Stewart, Vitters still offered plenty of reason for optimism on the year. In his first taste of AAA, Vitters mashed to his finest professional performance of .304/.356/.513/.869 over 452 plate appearances. He kept his strikeout rate relatively low (17%) while improving his walk rate to 6.6%. Despite his dreadful MLB debut, he still did enough in 2012 to suggest that he has a major league future.
Nate Samson and Matt Cerda made up the third base duo for Tennessee. Samson is a non-prospect as a 25-year-old with no offensive profile. Cerda has no power in his game, but his incredible walk rate (never below 11%, it reached 17.5% last year) gives him a chance to carve out a role. However, he was scooped up by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft's minor league portion.
Daytona's Christian Villanueva is the team's best hope for a long-term solution at third base and he didn't disappoint in 2012. After arriving from Texas in the Ryan Dempster trade, Villanueva continued to flash a well-rounded offensive profile en route to a .279/.353/.427/.780 line for the season. He added 14 stolen bases and 14 home runs over 125 games. Scouting reports indicate that Villanueva's best chance to earn a major league job is via his defense, so the strong offensive showing is encouraging. At 21, he is on the right path developmentally.
The lower levels feature a nondescript trio and one name of note. Peoria's Dustin Geiger is an all-or-nothing power hitter with good power numbers and no other tools. In the rookie league, Jacob Rogers overwhelmed the competition as a college player, but it's hard to have much hope for the 40th round choice. Similarly, 35th rounder Ben Carhart offers little to dream on. However, Boise's Jeimer Candelario has shown plenty. After a breakout showing as a 17-year-old in the Dominican summer league in 2011, Candelario moved to Boise and held his own with a .281/.345/.396/.741 showing. It was hardly a dominant performance, but any time a switch-hitting 18-year-old makes it through the season with a solid line intact, it's an encouraging sign.
Nate Samson and Matt Cerda made up the third base duo for Tennessee. Samson is a non-prospect as a 25-year-old with no offensive profile. Cerda has no power in his game, but his incredible walk rate (never below 11%, it reached 17.5% last year) gives him a chance to carve out a role. However, he was scooped up by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft's minor league portion.
Daytona's Christian Villanueva is the team's best hope for a long-term solution at third base and he didn't disappoint in 2012. After arriving from Texas in the Ryan Dempster trade, Villanueva continued to flash a well-rounded offensive profile en route to a .279/.353/.427/.780 line for the season. He added 14 stolen bases and 14 home runs over 125 games. Scouting reports indicate that Villanueva's best chance to earn a major league job is via his defense, so the strong offensive showing is encouraging. At 21, he is on the right path developmentally.
The lower levels feature a nondescript trio and one name of note. Peoria's Dustin Geiger is an all-or-nothing power hitter with good power numbers and no other tools. In the rookie league, Jacob Rogers overwhelmed the competition as a college player, but it's hard to have much hope for the 40th round choice. Similarly, 35th rounder Ben Carhart offers little to dream on. However, Boise's Jeimer Candelario has shown plenty. After a breakout showing as a 17-year-old in the Dominican summer league in 2011, Candelario moved to Boise and held his own with a .281/.345/.396/.741 showing. It was hardly a dominant performance, but any time a switch-hitting 18-year-old makes it through the season with a solid line intact, it's an encouraging sign.
2013 and Beyond: 2013 just won't be pretty in Chicago. Stewart yet again seems primed to be handed the starting gig. After 2012's abject failure, it's hard to have much hope for the former top prospect. Given the bodies in the organization, fans should be on the lookout for three things. First, Josh Vitters forcing his way back to Chicago. Vitters managing another strong showing at Iowa and demanding a call up is the best development the team could have at third base this year. Second, Villanueva maintaining his offensive profile at Tennessee. Third, Candelario keeping it together in a full-season league. The teenager doesn't need a breakout performance; if he can put together a similar line in a full year of ball, his prospect star will shine a bit brighter again.
Overall Perception: Vitters, Villanueva, and Candelario are all nice players, but none of the trio project as anything better than an average major league third baseman even if their developments are smooth. Given the limited ceilings of the organization's top prospects and the gaping hole on the major league roster, this is possibly the team's worst position group. Fans will be pining for Aramis Ramirez in 2013 and likely into the future.
Final Rating: 1.0
*Note: It's not all bad. The shortstops are coming up next...
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