Cubs Sign Josh Vitters

[SkullKey]

Their #3 (overall) pick in last June's First Year Player Draft.

Apparently there is a new "hurry-up and get it done" deadline too; which the Cubs and Vitters just sneaked under. As I read it any player drafted not a college senior (and thusly out of options educationally) who did not sign within what appears to be about 60 days after the draft goes into next years pool; the drafting team loses all rights.

Bummer. I'm not sure Tim Wilkens likes the new rule either:

" ... "It's the first time we've had this deadline, and I don't think I like the deadline," said Tim Wilken, the Cubs scouting director. ... "

Fortunately the two sides reached an agreement - just in time.

Vitters does not turn 18 for 9 more days:

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070816&content_id=2151531&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Look at the picture in the MLB article and tell me Vitters and the evil "Bud" Selig (please do not take me too seriously) do not look like father and son - same facial features and shape - same grin. Same nose - same everything. Poor kid.

In any case he could become an exceptional player - or be the next Earl Cunningham. I doubt the latter. Good to see him signed.

[ARamfan]

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070816&content_id=2151531&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Look at the picture in the MLB article and tell me Vitters and the evil "Bud" Selig (please do not take me too seriously) do not look like father and son - same facial features and shape - same grin. Same nose - same everything. Poor kid.

I just looked at it and you aren't kidding! Poor kid is right. More like grandfather and grandson though. :D

[BigZ38]

I'm glad we were able to sign him. He is supposed to be the best hitter in all of high school ball. I don't think we'll see him until after Rammy though.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

I did some poking around the net & found a good write-up on Vitters that I felt like sharing:

30-40 Hr's, 110-120 Rbi's. 280 BA, sound good?

http://diamondcutter.wordpress.com/2007/10/05/prospect-spotlight-josh-vitters/

[dundeecub]

good article, though im not sure we can expect to see him til at least 2011 (sounds like a lifetime, doesnt it... even scarier, he'll be 22). he had a miserable time in a tiny sample at boise and arizona but he has plenty of time.

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
14 51 2 6 0 0 0 3 3 14 .118 .164 .118 .282

[TrueBlueCubFan]

good article, though im not sure we can expect to see him til at least 2011 (sounds like a lifetime, doesnt it... even scarier, he'll be 22). he had a miserable time in a tiny sample at boise and arizona but he has plenty of time.

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
14 51 2 6 0 0 0 3 3 14 .118 .164 .118 .282
Anyone would have a miserable time playing pro ball while playing with phnemonia. That stat line means nothing.

[dundeecub]

Anyone would have a miserable time playing pro ball while playing with phnemonia. That stat line means nothing.

i agree, i think he was being run out at the end of the year just to give him a bit of an inkling about what was coming: if he was ill the same time next year i would expect him to be shut down. he improved vastly (from a very low baseline) when he was well enough to move up to boise: trebling his obp, slg and ba.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

The only thing that should slow his development is his defense. He could very well see high,single A ball this year, if he hits like most think he can. AA in 09' is not out of the question. If he is as good of a prospect as many scouts think he is, he could make it to the majors as early as 2010.

[TheBenjamin]

and where woudl be play? A-Ram is our 3B for a long time

[bringbacktuffy]

I figure its going to 4-5 years at least until he's MLB ready. Thats about the avg. learning curve for most prospects isn't it? Anyway you have to figure by then Rammy will be on his way out, which suck b/c he's the best 3B we've had in a few generations. But thats the likely reality of it.

[bringbacktuffy]

Early as 2010? Doubtful. If Rammy is still playing well enough for us in two season there will no reason to rush him up to the big club. Unless they want to use him as trade bait in the future. Which is also doubtful unless we are getting a proven stud in return. But, thats still a few seasons away and I dont see much sense in worrying about it now.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Early as 2010? Doubtful. If Rammy is still playing well enough for us in two season there will no reason to rush him up to the big club. Unless they want to use him as trade bait in the future. Which is also doubtful unless we are getting a proven stud in return. But, thats still a few seasons away and I dont see much sense in worrying about it now.

If Vitters hits like scouts think he will, a 2010 Sept. call-up is not out of the question. Let's hope Vitters excels as soon as possible, b/c if he does there is value in having him ready before Aram is a FA. If Aram is still producing then like he is now & Vitters is the real deal then the Cubs will get a nice return for Aram in a trade. However,I feel like I'm getting ahead of myself, b/c much can happen from now until then.

Never is it too early to expect a Top 5 pick to be ready for the majors in 3 years.

[BigZ38]

I don't know how many people realize it but when Rammy signed his contract last offseason there was an opt out clause in it just like his previous one so who knows if he'll stick around. Vitters is the future 3rd baseman.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

A nice pro debut by Josh Vitters tonight for Peoria, 3 for 4 with 3 doubles:

http://www.peoriachiefs.com/news/current/index.html?article_id=693

[Bockstock]

Yea, the guy from the Cubs Reporter was saying Vitters had a bad blister on one of his hands, hence why he looked pretty crappy at ST.

Mono, then hand blisters??

Sounds like Vitters was destined to be a Cub

[timhoth]

yeah vitters needs to be a man if he expects to be any good...high school ball is alot different than the majors so i dont see what all the hype is about...lets see how he does this year and then we can all get excited only to be let down by injuries again...