Sickels:

“I really don’t like the idea of pulling the plug on a prospect who is just 21 years old, but it is time we faced some facts about Chicago Cubs cornerman Josh Vitters. He still has the pretty swing, but his .279/.315/.442 line in 69 games for Double-A Tennessee is just not impressive, and his miniscule walk rate and impatience is in danger of dragging down his career.

Vitters boosters will point to the fact that he’s fanned just 19 times and is still young for the level, and they have a point. It is still plausible that he’ll emerge as the player Cubs officials dream on, hitting for a high batting average with power. But while plausible, it no longer seems probable to me. His game is so strongly dependent on his batting average that, unless he can consistently hit .300 or higher, which seems doubtful to me, his OBP will be a drag on the offense.

“He’s on course for a 14-homer season this year, which just isn’t enough for a corner guy, especially a first baseman. I note that his third base fielding percentage is down to .869 this year and that his range factor in 47 games there is terrible. He’s also played 26 games at first base, and it would surprise no one if Vitters ends up there in the end. And if that happens, he’ll really have to pick up the hitting to play regularly in a major league lineup.

It isn’t too late for him, but he’s got to make significant progress in the second half to still rank as an elite prospect."

He got hit on his hands (?) and cooled down. I’m not all that worried about him just yet.

Was comparing their minor league numbers. They progressed through the same levels at nearly identical ages with very similar performance. I think a Jeff Francoer comp would be a fair expectation for Vitters.

he’s still fairly young for his level, and he has a nice looking swing. But at some point, you have to OPS over .800 at a level if you want to solidify yourself as a major league corner IF. The concerns raised by Sickels are valid – he doesn’t have patience, the power hasn’t yet emerged, he’s not good defensively at 3B and could have to move to 1B or LF (which would make his bat even more questionable).

Obviously he’s young and there’s still loads of time. But at some point, we need to see more than a hot month or two surrounded by mediocrity. Hopefully it happens the rest of this year.