Lou Promises Fukudome 2nd Spot in Lineup
Wait, why am I batting 2nd? I just spun around 360 degrees trying to hit a curveball!
Fukudome hasn’t been playing with the Cubs this spring, since he has been trying to help Japan win some games in the World Baseball Classic. He has done ok, going 2-7 so far with the Japanese team. As usual, he is walking a lot as well, drawing 4 bases on balls in only 11 plate appearances. What does this all mean for Fukudome’s 2009 season? Nothing. Lou, however, feels that Fukudome has earned the #2 spot in the lineup without playing a single game for the Cubs so far. You want to know something? I agree with him:
“He looks wonderful,” Piniella said of Fukudome. “He’s in really good shape. I told him we’re holding a spot for him, and we’ll put him out in center field and we’ll try him in the No. 2 hole in the lineup.
Everyone needs to relax about Fukudome. He probably isn’t as good as his first half last year, but he definitely isn’t as bad as his second half. Wait, back up. I’m still not sold on the fact that his second half was all that bad. Sure his slugging percentage dipped, but he still finished the season with a .359 OBP, about 15 points higher than our friend Alfonso Soriano. Obviously if he can’t put the bat on the ball, it won’t matter how many walks he draws, but at least while he’s trying to figure it out he’ll be getting on base some. One more thing: What about Theriot? 7th?
Related Posts:
Comments
Comment from Golan
Time March 11, 2009 at 9:46 am
I miss Randall Simon. Hup Holland!
Comment from Kevin Tapani Fan Club
Time March 11, 2009 at 10:07 am
We’re not expecting Fukudome to put up any power numbers…he’s in our lineup for defense and getting on base. If he can just do those 2 things really well, we’ll be fine. A high OBP in the #2 spot would be very nice for our 3-7 of Fonzy, D-Lee, Aramis, Bradley, and Soto, in whatever order that happens. He just can’t hit .220
Comment from StevieY19
Time March 11, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I’m still giving him a pass based on his home opener home run last year.
Loading ...
Comment from real stadiums have roofs
Time March 11, 2009 at 9:18 am
i think fukudome is a good player and has a very solid year, even though cubs fans don’t deserve it. was that marmol blowing his first save of the year last night? people are saying that the DR losing to the netherlands is embarassing, but i don’t think they’re taking into account the fact that the netherlands didn’t have any cubs on their roster.