The Second Time Around
One thing everyone wants to talk about this winter is the Cubs "youth movement" with Ronny Cedeno and Matt Murton. Ideally, they will come in with a lot of confidence. Things are set up to give each of them the chance to start. That should give them a shot of confidence knowing the Dusty and the organization have enough confidence in their abilities to pencil them in there as starters.
The thing now is about adjustments. We talk about it on the air all the time. Baseball is nothing but a series of adjustments. A hitter is hot, then the pitcher has to make the adjustment and throw him something he's not strong at handling. Then the hitter has to make the adjustment back to how he's being pitched and so on. Now Ronny Cedeno and Matt Murton had the luxury of kind of sneaking up on the National League last year. Nobody knew anything about them. It's going to be a little tougher this go-round, but based on what I've seen of these guys, they are very intelligent and very hard workers. I think they will be able to make the adjustments as the season progresses and I think both will have good years.
Comments
Bob:
By all accounts both Murton and Cedeno have shown that their mental approaches to the game is quite advanced in contrast to many highly talented rookies. The cliche is that everyone in the SHOW is talented but it is their mental approach and preparation that seperates promising players from those who stay, Patterson is the example.
The question will not be their performances it will be how FA's Pierre, Hairston, Wood, Lee, Blanco, Maddux, and reserve clause players like Murton & Cedeno but also Wuertz, Zambrano, Novoa, Prior, and possibly Williams and Hill perform as a team. This does not exempt the extended contracted players, Ramirez, Perez, Barrett, Howry, Eyre and Jones do also.
What I am excited about is that the Cubs have commited to both of them. Finally
Posted by: Ivy Walls | February 3, 2006 3:09 PM
With these two players I'm very optimistic. They seem to understand that they will have to put in a ton of work. I hate using him as example, but I did see Albert Pujols going back to look at tape of his at bat after nearly every one. If a player of his accomplishments and skill level doesn't believe he is too good to work, then that should be a great example that it not only takes talent, luck, and being in the right organization. It also takes an incredible amount of desire.
Posted by: Dan in KY | February 3, 2006 4:06 PM
It's almost too bad Murt' and Ronny got so much playing time last season, because looking at what they did last year with the Cubs, in the minors, and in the AFL and Venezuelan ball, I think they both would have a good shot at Rookie of the Year. I'm really looking forward to seeing how those two guys adjust over the course of the season, how much their work ethic holds up, where they both end up in the lineup by the September, and if they can help this team get to the playoffs. I'm confident in at least one thing; Matt Murton is going to hit. He's done it everywhere he's gone so far, as soon as we put him in a game he started hitting (I watched him collect a number of first in his first game with the Cubs, including first RBI), and he seems to have a very level head and an extremely good approach at the plate. As for Ronny, I think his numbers for the past year have shown he's ready to show what he's got at the Major League level. I've got high hopes for these two guys, and high hopes for the Cubs in '06.
Posted by: Charlie M. | February 3, 2006 7:17 PM
B.B.
I'm STOKED about BOTH Murton and Cedeno. I think Murton will be a HUGE surprise this year, and give us a hitter to go along with J.P. and Aramis who'll make pitchers work. Also, his ability to go the other way with the pitch will keep his average up there. And Ronny will open some eyes as well. Great speed, slick fielding and ENTHUSIASM. GOD I WISH IT WERE APRIL!!!!!!
Posted by: Lenny C | February 3, 2006 7:29 PM
It's been a long time since the Cubs have (potentially) started two "almost-rookies" at the start of the same season. '89 comes to mind, although I'm not sure Smith and Walton both started right out of the gate. I hope Dusty shows a little patience, and doesn't yank them after their first bad series. As I recall, it took Ryno a couple of weeks to get any traction in his rookie season.
Posted by: scootk | February 3, 2006 8:52 PM
I think the cubs will have a good year beacuse we have good pitching and good outfielders and infielders and i think the cubs will have a good year I hope so!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: kristencarrier | February 3, 2006 9:23 PM
He should probably be doing Colgate commercials, not baseball.
Posted by: Renee | February 4, 2006 2:09 AM
My instinct is that both Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno will indeed be given the chance to start...in April that is. Dusty has been manager for three years now so I've had an opportunity to see how the man thinks. And Dusty is about as predictable as a gyroscope.
By Memorial Day Neifi and Cedeno will be in a virtual platoon at short with Neifi getting additional playing time at second. Matt Murton will be platooning with Marquis Grissom, with Grissom getting additional time in the other outfield positions. Provided that Neifi and Marquis are healthy that is.
Posted by: mastrick | February 5, 2006 10:16 PM
Mastrick...... GREAT COMMENT.
Posted by: Lenny C | February 6, 2006 1:39 PM
I'm afraid that I also see Dusty having a really short leash - especially with Cedeno. He seems to look for any excuse to put Neifi and his .298 OBP into the line-up - probably in the #2 spot. I mean, was Neifi really listed ahead of both Hairston and Walker on a recent 2B depth chart?!For crying out loud!
Posted by: scootk | February 6, 2006 8:10 PM