Jake Fox a future all star?

Here's an interesting article on ESPN.com that makes the argument that Fox could be an all star one day.

It's a shame that our outfield and our corners are locked up with contracts for awhile that are going to limit his playing time, but I agree that Fox is the real deal.

3 months ago dblplay 38 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

This is exactly why it bugs me so much to hear the argument...

…that the Cubs aren’t built to win anything without Soriano, so they better ride him until he figures it out. Sink or swim. BS! Bench him already! There are already better options on the roster.

by Jerry Mumphrey on Aug 14, 2009 11:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it's almost time to Bench Soriano..

Understand, this is a HUGE statement for me. I am in the “ride them out” camp completely for players with Soriano’s history. however, it’s getting late, and though i would probably wait until near the end of August to make dramatic rules in the everyday lineup, I’m with you here. Incidently, I would say the same for team chemistry in the lineup – for example, if indeed Bradley or Zambrano are hurting the clubhouse, it’s time to reduce their role and status.

by DisCUBbobulated on Aug 14, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Makes no sense.

Soriano and Fox have been the same hitters since the All Star break.

Why would you go with a 27 year old “rookie”, based off of 139 ABs, over a perennial All Star who started cold and has finally started to heat up?

Ball 4!

by californiachicagoan on Aug 14, 2009 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

really do you watch the cubs

because I wince everytime I see Soriano hit

by oeosoto on Aug 14, 2009 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too

What happened to 41 homeruns 3 years ago ? I thought he would achieve that and more at Wrigley Field . Soriano is a easy out now days ..

by CUBFANINAZ on Aug 14, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because it's late, and Fox has been consistent.

It’s not an ideal situation, but it’s only temporary. We need our best lineup in there. If Soriano wakes up in the next couple of weeks, then cool – that’s the best scenario for the cubs. But Fox has hit consitently all year, and we need to get wins in whatever way possible. Believe me, I have been a voice in favor of Sori all year – but when it gets to September, we have no choice but to acknowledge that this isn’t his year.

by DisCUBbobulated on Aug 14, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hes heating up?

what game are you watching?

the cubs lineup needs moar LIND and HALLIDAY

by jesus christos on Aug 14, 2009 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'll definitely be an All-Star

as the AL team’s DH

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Aug 14, 2009 11:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Now that there is some serious Jake Fox love.

Hey, hope he’s right.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 14, 2009 11:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

one of two things need to happen

We ethier neto find him a spot to play everyday or trade him this offseason for prospects while his stock is still high….

"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher

by BelieveinBlue2314 on Aug 14, 2009 12:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Gah

Why would it have to be one or the other?

Most teams anymore ought to enjoy having a guy on their bench who they can a/ use at any of five positions b/ hit like a middle-of-the-order guy c/ cause no trouble in the clubhouse.

If there is one thing we should have learned this season, it is “Guys get hurt.” So where is the downside to pencilling in Jake Fox at the fourth outfield spot/backup at first/backup at third/third string (emergency) catcher? We don’t know if he will adjust to more PT better than hoffpauir or Fontenot. But with an aging team, it’s safe to figure that if Jake stays with the Cubs in 2010, he could probably start three times a week and pinch hit in a few of the others. Unless we have a crystal ball telling us that Rami/DLee/VBradley/Soriano are all going to be good for 145+ starts apiece next year.

And why would it be that the Cubs exist to sell low to an American league team anyway? An argument could be made that Keith Moreland (a reasonable Jake Fox comp) should have been an extra player at his peak. If we keep Fox and he hits better in a spare role next year, then we monitor his at bats and shift his time on the field upward.

by tim815 on Aug 14, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ideally: Fox Is A Great Bench Player

However, as you have pointed out, Fox has gotten a lot of starts this season because of injuries to other players. He is a very valuable player on this team, but I wish circumstances dictated that he didn’t have to play so much. Those are the breaks!

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 14, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

DOnt get rid of him unless it is an unbelievable package. Kid can hit and

the cubs get hit with injuries

4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42

by fischisgod on Aug 14, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Put Fox At 2nd base

Thats one of many problems for the Cubs . Heard over winter Trammel is going to work with Fox at second base .

by CUBFANINAZ on Aug 14, 2009 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not A Future All-Star, But...

he looks like he is going to stick in the big leagues and could be a starter for a MLB team other than the Cubs. That would be doing pretty well for somebody, who has spent so much time in the minors.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 14, 2009 12:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

not a future all-star?!!

are you kidding me?!?! just from watching him this year, it is ridiculous…he is hitting around .300 with 8 HR and 30 RBI in only 135 AB’s….do you know who also has numbers almost identical? Aramis Ramirez. If he had played the whole season and kept on the same pace (which I think he would, he hasn’t showed any signs of slowing), he would have over 20 HR’s and around 75 to 80 RBI’s. If those aren’t All-Star numbers, then I don’t know what is…this kid is showing that his AAA ridiculous run was for real, and that he is here to stay.

The Cubs also talked about trying him out at 2nd base over the winter in an instructional league or something. If he can play 3rd, he can play 2nd.

by HardForharden on Aug 14, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fox Has Been Good, But...

do you really expect him to play as well as an everyday player on a long-term basis?

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 14, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely not!

I expect him to only play this well as an everyday player for two years and then he will be too tired to play anymore. Anyone with baseball wisdom like yours can see this as an inevitability.

by Jerry Mumphrey on Aug 14, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lets first see him play a full season

before we give him the same expectations of Soto, Fontenot, MB, Marmol, etc….all players who we expected big things from, adn have flopped this season (so far)

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Aug 14, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

20 HR's and 75-80 RBI's

are not all star numbers…..

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 14, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

tell

Dustin Pedroia that…he actually won the AL MVP with 17 HR’s and 83 RBI’s.

and if you actually bothered to calculate the numbers, you would realize that I meant 20 HR’s and 75-80 RBI’s at this point in the season…giving him a chance to go 30/100+. And yes, those are all-star numbers.

by HardForharden on Aug 14, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pedroia plays a premier defensive position

and i’m sorry for not doing your work for you in the post…

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 14, 2009 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fox by 2011

Legitimately could be our starting 1B or RF in 2 years….

by ak123 on Aug 14, 2009 12:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No, he won't

Fox is already 27 years old, which means everything is likely downhill from here for Fox. He’s never shown the ability to hit for average or get on base before this season.

Fox would hit 30 HRs a year if you gave him 500 ABs every season. But he’d make so many outs and commit so many defensive mistakes that most teams wouldn’t give him the chance.

He could be a DH somewhere.

by Josh77 on Aug 14, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's all downhill?

He’s hitting his peak!

Randy Wells. A product of the Roy Halladay School of Pitching, located in Toronto, Canada. Possible relocation.

by Cub Style on Aug 14, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if he is hitting his peak

that would by definition suggest it is all down-hill

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 14, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

He obviously would never be as good of a defender as DLee but when 2011 rolls around I bet you either Bradley gets moved to 1B or Fox is playing there.

If they have a set plan for him for that season, keep him in the minors in 2010 and have him work at a specific position every day. Worse comes to worse, it’s a one year experiment.

And tell Mark DeRosa that after 27 everything goes downhill.

by ak123 on Aug 14, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Winter league

teach teach Fox 2nd base . Only position open ..

by CUBFANINAZ on Aug 14, 2009 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've been saying that for a while too

But the problem is, most people on here are ready to claim he is incapable of fielding.

My counterargument is that unless they attempt to teach him at 2B there is no true answer. Having him compliment everyone else in the lineup as opposed to making a spot start strengthens the team if he can give us even mediocre defense there.

by ak123 on Aug 15, 2009 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

people seem to have forgotten how bad aram was at 3b

the cubs lineup needs moar LIND and HALLIDAY

by jesus christos on Aug 15, 2009 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Career years are usually 27-28 years of age

For ‘good’ players. To say Fox is a future All-Star — quite the stretch, I think. Perhaps if he had the chance earlier in his career…..but he didn’t. He’s a nice player to have off the bench, but I don’t see him as a starter.

Of course, you could argue Garry Matthews, Jr had his best years after 28, and 5 teams. You could also assert he (perhaps/allegedly) needed PED’s to accomplish that. But we don’t know for sure, do we?

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 14, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jake Fox reminds me of Keith Moreland

Moreland was also a guy with a great bat who couldn’t find a position because of defensive shortcomings that were obvious, but not nearly as bad as his critics claimed. He started as a catcher, where he was fairly mediocre, and then moved around to third, first, and left before finding a home in right field, which he played adequately enough to justify putting him in the lineup every day.

I think Fox’s play over the last few weeks has proven that he’s not the defensive butcher that he was made out to be. Yeah, he’ll never win a Gold Glove, but the other night I heard one of the Cubs announcers talk about how nobody on the team works harder on defense than Fox, and that he puts in time every day at each of the positions he plays. While he’s not going to find a regular position on the current team, he’s definitely earned the right to be the primary backup at all the corner positions. Given the injury situation and the need to rest the regulars, there’s no reason he couldn’t be in the lineup three or four days a week.

by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Aug 14, 2009 1:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Keith Moreland

He was my favorite player on the 1984 team. I don’t have any statistics in front of me to justify this, but I believe he was one of the Cubs best hitters in getting runners from third home with less than two outs. I believe Fox is a better third baseman than Zonk was. In fact, I believe Fox is a better defensive outfielder than Moreland was. We haven’t seen that much of Fox’s bat in the big leagues yet. The early returns on Fox are encouraging, but I don’t think Fox over the long haul will be as good a hitter as Moreland was. Fox may have more power than Zonk had, but I can’t see Fox being the same type of run producer that the old Texas Longhorn was.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 14, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Moreland is an excellent comp for Fox.

If Fox could have three or four years like Moreland had in his prime for the Cubs, that’d be just fine.

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

by Al on Aug 14, 2009 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too - but the 2B experiment is critical

That’s what I’ve always though of Fox as, although I forgot that Moreland played a little 1B.

In today’s scenario, IF Fox can play a servicable 2B, then we have our logical replacement for DeRosa in that “every day starter someplace” position which I think it was Tony Phillips who perfected about 20 years ago. If Fox can be just a poor defensive 2B, then a scenario arises where Fox can get 125 starts a year if nobody gets injured, and 150 starts a year if somebody does:

- 2B – 50 starts, when a fly-ball pitcher is on the mound
- RF – 20 starts
- LF – 20 starts
- 3B – 15 starts
- 1B – 15 starts
- DH interleague – 4 starts (let Lee, Soriano, and Ramirez also get starts a DH)

Total: 124 starts. Add in 30 pinch hitting appearances and some double-switches, and he’s at 500 PA.

It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??

by Invalid User on Aug 15, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

let's remember

this is a fantasy article and pays no attention to defensive value or the need for it on the field of most MLB teams.

I write for a fantasy website myself, so I’m not here to bash fantasy analysts, but I think the suggestion that he’s going to be an all-star is a bit of hyperbole used to make a point (that he has hitting skills of an all star)

I think its highly unlikely Jake Fox will ever make an all star team and thats not necessarily a knock on Fox…. All star games have a lot to do with name value which is established over consistent production over a number of years and any of the positions Fox would qualify at for an all star game have an extremely high floor in terms of production to qualify without the aforementioned name value

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 14, 2009 3:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

fox

too bad because he is actually having a better season than bradley. he needs to be in the lineup. hoffpauir was great last year and is back in aaa. i hope fox can repeat next year. must be really hard to succeed when you dont play very often.

by NOMAR on Aug 15, 2009 7:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's not go too far on crowning Fox

Just yet … certainly, the inconsistent PT doesn’t help, but his bat has slipped a bit in August so far. Now, a year ago, I was skeptical that Fox was showing legitimate improvement. I am of the belief that the improvement we have seen with Fox is real. I think the 16% K rate and the 5% walk rate is a sign of improvement. Put it this way, the Fox of 06-07 that was hacking away at a 20% K rate and 4-5 % walk rate probably doesn’t put up these numbers. If you’ve watched him and compare him, he is a more patient hitter.

I now believe Jake Fox can start in the big leagues at 1st base, and you could probably use him in the corner OF if you didn’t have any other option. He’s shown more consistency defensively, enough for me to think that if push came to shove and his bat was that much better than your next option, then you could go with it. It’s easy to forget that, in his younger days, Fox was considered a fairly solid athlete at catcher.

An All-Star, though, would, IMO, require him to spray the ball some more, be a bit more disciplined than he is right now. That’s a lot of work for a guy whose development is near the end line. Not impossible, as he’s hitting the start of his prime, but also a tough one to bet on.

by toonsterwu on Aug 15, 2009 1:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs