Chicago Cubs’ 2007 first round pick Josh Vitters hasn’t exactly set the minors on fire in his time in the Cubs’ organization, but he’s still quite young, and on the balance, his future still looks bright. That said, after an early-season promotion to AA Tennessee this year, Vitters struggled mightily before his season ended in July with a broken hand.
Vitters’ struggles were both at the plate, and in the field – in 81 games at third base between High-A and AA, Vitters amassed a healthy 18 errors. Perhaps, therefore, it should be no surprise that the Cubs are giving him a look at first base.
One of the reasons the Cubs wanted Josh Vitters to play in the Arizona Fall League was to make up for time he missed after breaking his hand when he was hit by a pitch in July. The Cubs also are testing him at first base. Vitters, who was a third baseman when the team selected him first in the 2007 Draft, started Wednesday night at first for the Mesa Solar Sox. Muskat Ramblings.
While this was always considered a possibility for Vitters, the move is happening much sooner than expected – it was generally thought that he could break into the bigs as a third baseman before moving to first when he was older. Still, it can’t hurt to see if he can handle the position, and it may even help ease his mind at the plate.
Despite the Cubs’ opening at first base, don’t go thinking this move has anything to do with it. Vitters’ bat isn’t ready for the Major Leagues yet, let alone his glove. He may yet turn himself into the first baseman (or third baseman) of the future, but that future is certainly further off than 2011.