08-14-2009, 11:36 AM
Fox a future All-Star?
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By Brendan Roberts
ESPN.com
Jake Fox is going to be an All-Star someday.
I don't care what kind of prospect he was before the season, I've seen enough of him to truly believe that. Where will he play? I dunno, probably the outfield (and not necessarily for the Cubs). When will this happen? I'd say sooner than later. When will the Cubs realize this? I think they already have. Will he lead the Cubs to the World Ser- … oh, sorry.
In the first 142 at-bats of his career, Fox already looks to me like one of those rare players who can hit .300 and also hit 30-plus homers. Those guys don't grow on trees. He can hit near any pitch in any spot, can crush mistakes and even is adept at battling with two strikes. And some of his splits reveal his solid focus and makeup. For instance, he has hit much better on the road than at home. The righty swinger has hit both righties and lefties well, but righties slightly better. And he's hitting .328 with runners on base.
Is he great defensively? No, wherever he plays. Does he have obviously elite talent? No. Will he steal bases? No. Does he have the type of baseball body that can pose for underwear ads? No, probably more like wings-and-beer ads. But the guy can hit; he just needs the chance to do it more often.
As long as everyone is healthy, the Cubs don't have a starting spot for Fox. But that all might change if Aramis Ramirez can't bounce back quickly from his shoulder injury. And it's almost certain to change, at least in some capacity, for next season.
Whether it's next week or next year, Fox's value is about to explode -- you just don't know it yet. A lack of playing time has forced him to ride below the radar. He's one of a handful of players I see as I peruse rosters who could move from mixed-league afterthought to mixed-league stud simply by having his name put in the lineup more. Simply put, he's one of those "help immediately" players.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec--><!--sizeo:4--><!--/sizeo-->Fox a future All-Star<!--sizec--><!--/sizec-->
By Brendan Roberts
ESPN.com
Jake Fox is going to be an All-Star someday.
I don't care what kind of prospect he was before the season, I've seen enough of him to truly believe that. Where will he play? I dunno, probably the outfield (and not necessarily for the Cubs). When will this happen? I'd say sooner than later. When will the Cubs realize this? I think they already have. Will he lead the Cubs to the World Ser- … oh, sorry.
In the first 142 at-bats of his career, Fox already looks to me like one of those rare players who can hit .300 and also hit 30-plus homers. Those guys don't grow on trees. He can hit near any pitch in any spot, can crush mistakes and even is adept at battling with two strikes. And some of his splits reveal his solid focus and makeup. For instance, he has hit much better on the road than at home. The righty swinger has hit both righties and lefties well, but righties slightly better. And he's hitting .328 with runners on base.
Is he great defensively? No, wherever he plays. Does he have obviously elite talent? No. Will he steal bases? No. Does he have the type of baseball body that can pose for underwear ads? No, probably more like wings-and-beer ads. But the guy can hit; he just needs the chance to do it more often.
As long as everyone is healthy, the Cubs don't have a starting spot for Fox. But that all might change if Aramis Ramirez can't bounce back quickly from his shoulder injury. And it's almost certain to change, at least in some capacity, for next season.
Whether it's next week or next year, Fox's value is about to explode -- you just don't know it yet. A lack of playing time has forced him to ride below the radar. He's one of a handful of players I see as I peruse rosters who could move from mixed-league afterthought to mixed-league stud simply by having his name put in the lineup more. Simply put, he's one of those "help immediately" players.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->