Chicago Cubs' Prospect: Tyler Colvin

As Cactus League games are officially underway in Arizona many of the questions facing the Chicago Cubs as they headed into spring training are starting to be answered. However, due to the play of Tyler Colvin a new question has arisen. Who will be the team's fourth outfielder?

The Cubs did sign Xavier Nady this past off-season in an effort to bolster their bench and provide a new offensive spark. Nady is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, his second, however and so his playing time will be limited at least for the first few months of the season. Many fans and those in the baseball know assumed Sam Fuld would fill the void left by Nady's rehab. But, with his play so far this spring young, Tyler Colvin may have something to say about this.

Colvin, the Cubs number 1 pick and the 13^th overall in the June 2006 Amateur Draft, has begun to raise eyebrows and open eyes with his improved skills this spring. Heading into this week's round of games Colvin is hitting a robust .520 and is leading the team in RBI's with 6. He has also played flawlessly in the field.

Colvin who has not played above Double A in the minors did make a brief appearance with the Cubs at the end of the 2009 season when he was able to get into 6 games for the big league team. His stats were nothing spectacular as he only hit .176 with a couple of RBI's, but he did capture the attention of Cubs' fans and more importantly Cubs' manager, Lou Piniella with his speed and the way the ball seemed to fly off his bat.

The Cubs who felt the 24-year old outfielder looked tired when he joined the team in '09 suggested Colvin get on a weight program in the off-season. The young prospect took this to heart and spent two hours a day doing workouts which focused on his core as well as his legs. The workout also included plenty of running. The results of the workouts along with Colvin's natural physical progression translated into a 25 pound muscle weight gain.

With the numbers he has put up in spring so far I would say the workouts have been a success. Once again, Cubs manager, Lou Piniella has taken notice.

"Colvin is a good looking player," Piniella said. "It's a big difference that weight he put on. He's got more bat speed. The ball is jumping off his bat. He looks like a Major League player."

That is high praise from Piniella who when asked if Tyler Colvin had a shot at making the team out of spring training had this to say.

"Why not? Jim and I haven't sat down and talked about what the organization wants to do as far as everyday playing. We haven't broached that subject. If Colvin keeps going the way he is, the subject will be broached sooner or later."

The Chicago Cubs outfield as it stands now is a bit crowded, but that does not mean there is not any room for Tyler Colvin. Alfonso Soriano is not going anywhere and Marlon Byrd did sign a multiyear contract in the off-season to play centerfield. As it stands now Kosuke Fukudome is slated to play right field. So, if Colvin were to make the team it would be in a back-up role. That does not necessarily mean limited playing time however.

Soriano's defensive liabilities have been well documented along with his frequent and nagging injuries he tends to suffer from throughout the season. Fukudome has been a disappointment since signing his 4-yar deal and has yet to put together a solid full season. Byrd is a wild card. He had a career year last season with Texas but there is no telling how a return to the National League and the added pressure of playing in Chicago will affect him. This definitely opens the door for Colvin.

Can Tyler Colvin be that elusive left-handed bat the Cubs have been searching for since being swept out of the Playoffs in 2008? So far all signs are pointing to yes. When asked if he could make the team out of spring trainings Colvin sounded guarded yet confidant.

"There is no telling," Colvin said. "All I can do is keep hitting the ball here and make it a tough decision and that's it."

As Lou Piniella mentioned he and Cubs' General Manager, Jim Hendry have a decision to make. If Colvin continues to stand out the way he has then I think the choice is an easy one. Either way it is simply a matter of time before Tyler Colvin is impressing fans at Wrigley Field.

Carrie Muskat, "Colvin may leave Cubs with tough choice", Cubs.com

"Tyler Colvin Minor League Statistics & History", Baseball-Reference.com