Foxilla!

by Hilary Lee on Jun 26, 2009 6:16 PM CDT

Okay, so admittedly I am no SWL, but I was so inspired by Jake Fox's performance today that I decided a new image was in order. I really think that Lou needs to find a spot for him in our everyday lineup. His defense really doesn't look that bad... why don't we keep him around at 3B until Rami gets back, and then as a super utility player after? We could put Miles on the DL if we have to. Or unconditionally release him or Farney. I think I will cry if Jake Fox doesn't get into the lineup on a regular basis...

Anyway, here's the picture:

via farm4.static.flickr.com

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Read More: Jake Fox (C - PIT), Chicago Cubs

Comments

That is funny

There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons

by Allie on Jun 26, 2009 6:55 PM CDT reply actions

not rec'd

Ramlee Zamfukusoridero

by hiphopgamer26 on Jun 26, 2009 7:29 PM CDT reply actions

I've posted

a piece about Foxx on my blog:
http://www.ehanauer.com/www.ehanauer.com/Blog/Entries/2009/6/26_Jake_rakes.html

by Clark Addison on Jun 26, 2009 7:35 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

If Fox isn't in the starting lineup for each game this series and next

my head is going to explode. This guy is crushing the ball.

by jerry morales rules on Jun 26, 2009 8:12 PM CDT reply actions

We know he'll be in the next three games, at least...

… vs. Buehrle, Danks and Duke. If he keeps raking like that, Lou will have to keep playing him.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 26, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions

it's really weird

what a “career minor leaguer” can do when given a chance

by neifi on Jun 27, 2009 3:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Not exactly a career minor leaguer

He was drafted in 2003. And turns 27 next month. About the same time Ryan Theriot spent in the minors, and about the same age of a “Non-September” call-up.. We’re not talking about Bobby Scales here.

The guy could always hit… the Cubs farm system just delayed his progress by not finding him a position. It’s a familiar story. They delayed Theriot too, by trying to make him a switch hitter.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jun 27, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Fox is

what people thought Hoffpauir might be… and clearly isn’t.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jun 26, 2009 9:29 PM CDT reply actions

Besides Clutche...

I think the majority of people (myself) expected Hoff to be a solid bat off the bench. Nothing more. I think he’s done that pretty well this year.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jun 27, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions

my post about jake fox

I believe Fox deserves lots of praise. He has been abosolutley crushing the ball. It is very hard to ignore his bat. He is hitting 405 with 2 homers and 11 RBI after todays win. He just missed a game leading 3 run shot in the 9th at Comerica where I witnessed every tigers fan in the park hold there breathe, it looked gone from my angle. Then the next day a 3 run shot in his first at bat and a 2 run shot today. He is getting it done for the team. I intially had thought to just play Fox in AL play but now we must find a place for him. He has played a good third base but must find a different position if he can become regular starter once Ramirez is back. Hopefully the cubs organization takes fox for what he really is a hard nose hitter and a deserving starter. Fox will have his day and that day may be now.

by cooltrev on Jun 26, 2009 9:31 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd

for collapsing your post into this one.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jun 26, 2009 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes.

Thanks from me also for doing that and rec’d as well.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 27, 2009 4:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Good post

I agree completely. I think we can put him at 2B or maybe RF (though LF would work better for him but then Sori would have to move to RF). I think he could be a passable 2B with Fonty maybe becoming a super INF sub.

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on Jun 27, 2009 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions

2B requires a player with quick feet and good hands. You have to be able to turn the double play

smoothly and reliably all of the time. Jake Fox will never be nimble enough to play second base. He could play any of the corne infield or outfield positions, but you will never see him at second base.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jun 27, 2009 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Fox at 2B???????

Clearly a case of Fox mania gone ridiculously tool far.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 27, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions

I won't go that far

I just believe if the Braves can turn a pitcher into a 2Bagger then maybe Fox can be turned into one also. He has learned 3B so why can’ he learn 2B?

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on Jun 27, 2009 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Because they are very different positions requiring very different skills

Fox is not a 2B, not going to be a 2B, he lacks the skill set to play 2B, most notbaly range and hands. That does not make him a bad ballplayer, it just means, like virtually every player who has ever played MLB, there are things he simply cannot do. Fox has been surprisingly adequate at 3B, he would probably be a decent 1B or LF maybe RF, but there is no way he plays 2B.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 28, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

anyone else have annoying adds popping up over the original post wording?

i have refreshed page a few times and still there

by Glacier on Jun 26, 2009 9:36 PM CDT reply actions

no....?

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jun 27, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions

My buddy sent me this text...

…which I was hoping to pass on to Al if the game had gone differently.

The White Fox beats the White Sox.

Love that nickname…the White Fox.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jun 27, 2009 10:00 AM CDT reply actions

Fox has earned the right to be in the lineup on a daily basis.

His defense has been adequate, even at third, which I freely admit shocks me. With the way he is hitting the ball, you have to leave him in the lineup. I suspect the league will get the book on him pretty soon and he will start to struggle, but if he is the real deal as a hitter, he will adjust. In the meantime, keep riding his hot bat.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 27, 2009 10:02 AM CDT reply actions

fox

with the linup struggling to score runs guess what?FOX NEEDS TO PLAY.

by NOMAR on Jun 27, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions

Could Fox be the Cubs' Craig Wilson?

Wilson’s career minor-league stats (from baseball-reference.com)
.270 .356 .487 .842
(somewhat affected by a couple of years played at AAA after his time in the majors)

Fox’s career minor-league stats
.293 .357 .528 .885
(Fox would be entering the majors two years older than Wilson)

Wilson’s MLB OPS+, Ages 24-28: 146, 107, 123, 119, 113
His career line: .262 .353 .474 .827

The main issue, of course, is that Wilson got a lot of playing time with the Pirates because they weren’t a very good club. His defense was bad at multiple positions. He had a few years of OK defense in the outfield, though.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by cubzfan on Jun 27, 2009 10:40 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Nice idea

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jun 28, 2009 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Fox

Play him at rover, 1890s style.

1B-Lee
2B-Theriot
3B-Ramirez
R-Fox
RF-Bradley
CF-Fuku
LF-Sori

It’d work, for sure.

by cubbybear on Jun 27, 2009 12:30 PM CDT reply actions

Fox can handle 3b

He won’t be special, but he has good reactions. Probably from his time behind the plate. He will not wow us with special plays, but, given time he’ll be okay. His range will always be subpar. Quick like a cat he isn’t. One thing, he does appear to be working hard to get his new position down, unlike some others. The stick has to stay in the line-up.

by Nibbles on Jun 27, 2009 12:36 PM CDT reply actions

Am I crazy for thinking Fox, with a little imagination on Lou's part ...

could basically be Ryan Braun circa 2007? Ok, ok, I’m probably crazy for saying that. But look, Braun has a ridiculously good stick, yet no natural position on defense. They brought him up as a 3B and he butchered the position badly, but his hitting was still enough to drive Milwaukee within inches of the title.

Fox, on current evidence, isn’t nearly as bad a defensive player as Braun was that year. And his bat may not be quite as good, but its pretty dang impressive all the same. They have to get this guy in the lineup more.

by Orval Overall on Jun 27, 2009 4:06 PM CDT reply actions