Sizing Up the Chicago Cubs Against the NL Central: Outfield

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Saturday, I wrote an article comparing the Cubs infield to the rest of the NL Central. This article will compare the Cubbies' outfield against their divisional foes.

A little side note, I'm using the MLB.com team depth charts as my source as to who the starting outfielders will be.

Although there's a good chance Reed Johnson and Kosuke Fukudome will platoon in center field, the Cubs.com depth chart has Fukudome listed ahead of Johnson as of March 29.

These rankings are solely my opinion and I more than welcome debates.

Left field

Cubs- Alfonso Soriano

Astros- Carlos Lee

Cardinals- Chris Duncan

Brewers- Ryan Braun

Reds- Chris Dickerson (in competition with Jerry Hairston)

Pirates- Nyjer Morgan

After the big three, there's a major drop off in the level of talent. The Reds and Pirates are hopeful their young left fielders blossom into stars.

• Lee, much like teammate Lance Berkman, is highly undervalued. A career .290 hitter, Lee has averaged 30 homeruns and 110 RBIs the past two seasons. Another overlooked aspect of Lee's game is his great eye, only striking out 49 times in over 430 at-bats.
• Despite suffering from the injury bug, Chris Duncan will start the season in left for Tony LaRussa. Duncan will be expected to step up and remain durable in 2009 to help support slugger Albert Pujols. With so much many quality players in their outfield, Duncan will need to perform at his highest potential.
• Talk about beginning your career with a bang, Ryan Braun has wasted no time in making an impact. Already compiling over 70 homers and 200 RBIs in his first two seasons, Braun has become a top-tier outfielder in the game. His WBC injury could become an issue throughout the season, but Braun is poised for another quality season. Look for Braun to work hard on his defense this season.
• Dusty Baker has one of his favorite utility players, Jerry Hairston, in competition with the Reds projected starting left fielder, Chris Dickerson. Last season, Dickerson was a pleasant surprise as a late-season call up, hitting .304 with six homers and five stolen bases in only 102 at-bats. The Reds believe they can compete this season, so don't look for Dusty to hesitate pulling Dickerson in favor on Hairston if the situation calls.
• A speedster, Nyjer Morgan has shown flashes of potential in Pittsburgh, stealing 9 in 160 at bats while hitting .294. Word out of Pirate camp is Morgan is struggling this spring and that free agent pickups Craig Monroe and Eric Hinske could take over leftfield if Morgan struggles. Be sure and monitor this situation in the upcoming weeks.
• A true five-tool player, Soriano has be the catalyst for the Cubs offense since signing with the ball club in 2007. Following Soriano's monster 2006 season with Washington where he compiled over 40 homers, doubles, and stolen bases. Needless to say, he has yet to reach that plateau in Wrigley. If his health can remain positive, Soriano is due for a breakout season in Cubbie blue.

My Ranks: Braun, Soriano, Lee, Duncan, Dickerson, Morgan

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