If you are a true Cubs fan, you know who I am talking about. Mike Fontenot, a.k.a "Little Babe Ruth" (as Cubs Radio Announcer and Legend—Ron Santo—calls him), should and needs to be given the second base job in 2009.
At 5'8", Fontenot has shown baseball once again that even the tiny guys can play. The former first-round draft pick (19th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles, as well as their Minor League Player of the Year in 2003, he is the only player left in the Cubs system from their infamous Sammy Sosa trade in 2005.
Fontenot hit .397 in his first 78 at-bats in 20 games, which also included eight multi-hit games, including a game in which he went 5-for-5. I seriously thought he would have a serious shot at rookie of the year. Unfortunately, he did slump a ton after that and he ended up hitting just .278.
While watching the Cubs this year, I noticed that most of the time that Fontenot actually starts in a game he would end up with at least one hit. I did the research and it ended up that when Fontenot hit safely in 48 of the 61 games in which he received more than one at-bat. I don't know about you, but I would take that kind of production from anyone.
He even ended the season on a tear, hitting .471 in the September, as well as going 8-for-13 in his last three games of the regular season.
Yet, along with many of the Cubs' season-long contributors, like Reed Johnson, Fontenot saw very limited action in the postseason. I just couldn't understand how you only start Fontenot once after ending the season like that, especially with all those righties, and keep Hoffpauir, who hit .390 in September, off the roster. But I am still trying to forget this year actually happened.
Fontenot ended the 2008 season batting .305 with 22 doubles, nine home runs, 42 runs scored, and 40 RBI. He slugged .514, tied for second overall in second basemen playing in the N.L., with Dan Uggla, with a .395 OBP and a .909 OBS (Chase Utley was the only second baseman above that at .915 OBS).
I understand that Fontenot only received 243 at-bats this season, but give me a break. These numbers should be allowing him to play second base for the Cubs.
I just hope that Hendry isn't dumb enough to trade him away and is smart enough to let him start at second. Let DeRosa play right field and have Johnson and Fukudome platoon in center.
Say Fonte-yes to the "Pocket Rocket" and the Cubs won't regret it.
10 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Matt Poloni 7 months ago
Although I'm not sure you completely sold me on this, you do make a decent argument. With all the talk about left-handeders in the lineup, why did the guy with the least production start while the two with good production sat. But baseball is more of an art than a science. There's always next year.
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Matt Poloni 7 months ago
I meant for the second sentence to be a question. My bad.
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Matt Poloni 7 months ago
I also meant to say left-handers instead of whatever the heck I wrote. That wasn't exactly my best moment as a writer, grammatically speaking.
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Robert Walsh 7 months ago
No worries about little mistakes I understood what you were saying. Thanks for you input and you are right there is always next year.
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
Good job Matt & welcome to BR. I go for Fontenot under two conditions: one, that we can't get Roberts, who would be a legit leadoff hitter for us; and that, two, DeRosa plays somewhere. He is the heart and soul of this club it seems. DeRosa really doesn't have the defensive range or power to play everyday in RF but he has to play somewhere and that is the logical place for him. I wonder how Fontenot could do over the course of a full season, whether he would tire out as a little guy or what. But he can hit and actually plays a pretty decent second base as well.
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Robert Walsh 7 months ago
I have to say I like Roberts and I have always agreed that the Cubs need to get him. But I really really don't see that happening as long as he is with Baltimore. Andy Mcphail must have some deep pains from his days with the Cubs or something because we should have Roberts by now. Also I agree that DeRosa needs to play somewhere. I didnt like him at first but I grew to love the guy and maybe we can use him as a super sub, a role that he plays anyways.
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TAB BAMFORD 7 months ago
I'm on board w/ Fontenot, and even Hoffpauir, getting more at bats from the left side next year; I think we have two solid lefty options in-house that could produce very well for us given the chance.
However, if DeRosa isn't at second, is he an everyday outfielder? I can't believe we're going to put 21 homers and 80+ RBI on the pine, especially when he was just about as clutch as anyone on the roster last year. His offensive production warrants playing every day, but where?
Welcome to BR. Nice piece.
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Matt Poloni 7 months ago
I think DeRosa could be an everyday outfielder. But you're right, where would he play everyday? If you put him in right, then Hoffpauir definitely isn't playing unless you move Soriano back to center. Personally, I don't like the idea of Soriano in center. He's already got the perfect tail on his throws to play left field and when he was out there a few years ago, he just didn't take good routes to the ball.
Good question TAB.
And welcome to Bleacher Report Robert. I forgot to say that originally.
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Jim Ford 7 months ago
I totally agree that Fontenot needs more playing time. Not so sure DeRosa is an everyday right fielder... any thoughts about seeing if Hoffpauir can split time in right? You could have Fontenot and DeRosa split time at second with DeRosa and Hoffpauir sharing the duties in right. I know Hoffpauir is a first baseman bet DeRosa is also an infielder that learned to play right field.. not an easy chore at Wrigley..
Jim
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Robert Walsh 7 months ago
To me, having DeRosa split time in right with Hoffpauir as well as at second with Fontenot would be ideal. I don't know how well Hoffpauir will fair in right but he, as well as fontenot, deserve a chance to play regularly. It seems as though DeRosa is looked at from the fans perspective as the right fielder of the team as well as the second baseman. I really just hope that the Cubs give these guys the regular playing time that they deserve.
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