Nov. 09--The Tribune will be doing position-by-position analysis for the 2015 Cubs. Today, we look at shortstop.
2015 statistics
Addison Russell: .242 batting average, 13 home runs, 54 RBIs, .307 on-base percentage
Starlin Castro: .265 batting average, 11 home runs, 69 RBIs, .296 on-base percentage
Javier Baez: .289 batting average, one home run, four RBIs, .325 on-base percentage. At Triple-A Iowa: .324 batting average, 13 home runs, 61 RBIs, .385 on-base percentage
Jonathan Herrera: .230 batting average, two home runs, 14 RBIs, .242 on-base percentage
Contract status for 2016
Russell: under team control
Castro: signed through 2019
Baez: under team control
Herrera: arbitration eligible
Breakdown
Gleyber Torres earned the distinction of being named the top prospect in the organization by Baseball America.
But Torres is only 18 and reached high Class-A Myrtle Beach at the end of the 2015 season.
Torres' talents add to one of the deepest positions in the Cubs organization. But it appears that Addison Russell will hold that position for as long as his talents allow him.
As dependable as Russell was with his glove after moving from second base on Aug. 7, his offense could improve tremendously in 2016. As early as late August, Russell expressed a desire to steal more bases next season. That should happen with more opportunities and the expectation he could move out of the ninth spot.
With more experience against major league pitching, Russell, 21, should be able to cut down on his 149 strikeouts while at attaining double digits in stolen bases and hitting at least 20 home runs after hitting 13 last season.
Russell might not possess the same arm strength as Baez or Castro, but his dependability separates him. Russell rarely loses his poise after coping with a tricky hop or slipping after fielding a grounder.
Manager Joe Maddon prefers "no chrome" on his shortstops, meaning he requires his shortstops only to make routine plays. Russell has been that kind of defender, although he did range well to his left to take away hits in the final two months.
Russell committed only four errors in 61 games, and he went 43 consecutive games without an error from Aug. 13 to Sept. 30.
If Castro stays with the Cubs, he'll be used at short only as part of a double switch or an injury. The expectation is that Russell will embark on an extensive program to strengthen his hamstrings after missing the 2015 National League Championship Series and the first two months of the 2014 season prior to his trade from the Oakland Athletics organization to the Cubs.
During the first half of the 2015 season, several scouts outside the organization believe that Baez, who started at short in place of Russell in the NLCS, is the Cubs' best defensive shortstop. But Baez can play second exceptionally well and could end up there permanently.
In the meantime, Russell will continue to polish his skills while Torres works on his strike zone discipline and stamina over the next three seasons. But by that time, Russell could be an NL All-Star.
