The Infield

After featuring the bullpen as a group last week, I thought I'd reveal some more customs from the 2013 team set the same way. Today, I'll be showing the starting infield.

 

I'm not sure Anthony Rizzo has lived up to the hype just yet, but he is clearly the team leader at the plate in terms of run production. Just goes to show you that the pitching staff has to be near perfect in order for this team to thrive.

 

 

I've already shown this Darwin Barney card but now that he is back from his Srping Training injury, he is the second baseman of record for the team. His glove has picked up where he left off last season, but his bat needs to catch up.

 

Luis Valbuena has split time at third with Steve Clevenger (hurt) and Cody Ransom this season. I liked this action shot of him ranging to his left.

 

Now that Rizzo is locked in long term, he's likely to be fielding crazy throws from shortstop Starlin Castro for most, if not all, of that time. Luckily, it looks like Castro managed to eat this one on a broken up double play rather than throw it away. That's Alfonso Soriano in the background making a cameo while "backing up" the play, like any good outfielder would.

 

Behind the plate we have Welington Castillo. He's second on the team in batting average among starters behind leadoff hitter, David Dejesus but unfortunately is middle of the pack or towards the bottom in the other offensive categories. He is currently third in the Majors for throwing out baserunners with 11 although the percentage drops him out of the top ten. Guess the Cubs need to give up less base runners...

 

Sorry for the negativity filling much of this post today but the Cubs just haven't been playing good baseball. Earlier in the season, even though they were still losing, the games were watchable. They even pulled out of last place for a few days. I felt like even if they were behind, there was still a chance to come back. But this week was horrible. Being swept by a division rival is awful. Hopefully we can get some of those back heading into Cincinnati...