Article on Josh Vitters

[yumy...@sbcglobal.net]

There is an article in the Chicago Tribune today on Josh Vitters:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-06-cubs-josh-vitters-nov06,0,3420877.story

Apparently we drafted him #3 overall in 2007 and we are now hoping
he is our 3rd baseman of the future. However:

1. There are questions about his fielding.
2. He is not a patient hitter. Currently he walks about once every 30
PAs.
3. He hasn't show a lot of power.
4. He doesn't seem to think his lack of patience is a problem

I'm sorry, I know he is still young, but I just have to wonder exactly
what his
upside is and why we made him the #3 overall pick.

Lance

[Frank Sereno]

On 6-Nov-2009, yumy...@sbcglobal.net wrote:

> X-Received-Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:04:07 UTC (s02-b65)

C'mon, man! He's a 5-tool guy! Like Corey Patterson!

Seriously, I don't know the reasoning behind Vitters' high draft selection,
but I'd like to know if players ever show a propensity or trend of learning
plate discipline as they get older. I don't have the statistical data, but
my impression is that guys that are free-swinging batters pretty much tend
to stay that way throughout their careers. I mean, Vitters might eventually
double his walk rate, but that would still be pathetic.