03-28-2010, 07:36 AM
Bruce Levine reported it last night around 7, and the Suntimes all but confirms it.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->The odds are about 199-1 against it happening anytime soon, but Cubs rookie outfielder Tyler Colvin is starting to make some of the right people believe he's ready for a big-league starting job.
''He's not looking for a roster spot,'' manager Lou Piniella said after Colvin nearly hit for the cycle in a 4-for-5 day. ''He's looking for somebody's position.''
But will he get it?
''Look, this is spring training,'' Piniella said.
Which is to say that while Colvin has earned a spot on the opening roster, the Cubs have $199 million worth of starting outfielders limiting Piniella's options for playing the former first-round pick. Colvin might be better in the field than at least two of them, faster on the bases than all of them, and he has looked better at the plate than anyone on the roster all spring.
Still, we're talking about less than a month of practice games in hitter-friendly Arizona.
''Spring training,'' said Colvin, shrugging, of his .475 average, adding that he's making no assumptions about his roster spot or anything more. ''I'll believe it when I see it. Right now, all I can do is just wait 'til our last game and see what [Piniella] says.''
Piniella says that with fourth outfielder Xavier Nady limited in the field by ongoing elbow rehab early in the season, he'll have a chance to get Colvin two or three starts a week as he rests the starters.
Is that enough to keep Colvin sharp and keep his development on track?
''I'd like to think so,'' Colvin said. ''I'm a competitive guy, and anytime I get an opportunity to play, I'll give it my all.''
And if he hits well in April? Just consider that Kosuke Fukudome's .259 batting average was the best by a Cubs outfielder last year, and the three starters averaged just 14 home runs and 50 RBI.
''Obviously, he's earned a right to be here. I don't think anybody disputes that whatsoever,'' Piniella said. ''He's saying, 'Get my name in that lineup, and I can get some stuff done.' It's good to know that one of our good young players is really, really stepping up and making it very interesting.''<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->The odds are about 199-1 against it happening anytime soon, but Cubs rookie outfielder Tyler Colvin is starting to make some of the right people believe he's ready for a big-league starting job.
''He's not looking for a roster spot,'' manager Lou Piniella said after Colvin nearly hit for the cycle in a 4-for-5 day. ''He's looking for somebody's position.''
But will he get it?
''Look, this is spring training,'' Piniella said.
Which is to say that while Colvin has earned a spot on the opening roster, the Cubs have $199 million worth of starting outfielders limiting Piniella's options for playing the former first-round pick. Colvin might be better in the field than at least two of them, faster on the bases than all of them, and he has looked better at the plate than anyone on the roster all spring.
Still, we're talking about less than a month of practice games in hitter-friendly Arizona.
''Spring training,'' said Colvin, shrugging, of his .475 average, adding that he's making no assumptions about his roster spot or anything more. ''I'll believe it when I see it. Right now, all I can do is just wait 'til our last game and see what [Piniella] says.''
Piniella says that with fourth outfielder Xavier Nady limited in the field by ongoing elbow rehab early in the season, he'll have a chance to get Colvin two or three starts a week as he rests the starters.
Is that enough to keep Colvin sharp and keep his development on track?
''I'd like to think so,'' Colvin said. ''I'm a competitive guy, and anytime I get an opportunity to play, I'll give it my all.''
And if he hits well in April? Just consider that Kosuke Fukudome's .259 batting average was the best by a Cubs outfielder last year, and the three starters averaged just 14 home runs and 50 RBI.
''Obviously, he's earned a right to be here. I don't think anybody disputes that whatsoever,'' Piniella said. ''He's saying, 'Get my name in that lineup, and I can get some stuff done.' It's good to know that one of our good young players is really, really stepping up and making it very interesting.''<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
