April 10--It looked so promising in 2009 when Dexter Fowler broke into the majors as a rookie center fielder and helped the Rockies earn their second playoff berth in three seasons while playing with future National League All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
Six years later, Fowler seeks to recapture the buzz that gradually deserted him with the Rockies and the Astros -- albeit in a free-agent season with the Cubs.
"At the point the organization is at, it's a good time to be a Cub," said Fowler, who will return to Coors Field on Friday for the first time since the Rockies traded him after the 2013 season.
It could be a good time for Fowler if he can come close to duplicating his averages as a leadoff hitter, especially with Jorge Soler, Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro batting behind him.
The Cubs don't have a prototypical leadoff batter at Triple-A Iowa, although Arismendy Alcantara eventually could step in if he cuts down on his strikeouts and Double-A Tennessee outfielder Albert Almora looked impressive during spring training.
Fowler, however, would rather not talk about what the future might hold for him as a free agent.
"You don't talk about that kind of stuff," Fowler, 29, said. "You just want to win, play hard every day and let that take care of itself. A successful season is winning the World Series and winning that last game of the year."
Unfortunately for Fowler, the Rockies gradually declined after making the playoffs in his rookie year, and he was traded to a young Astros team, which finished fourth in the American League West last season with a 71-91 record.
"Nobody ever wants to lose," Fowler said. "(But) it's part of the process. I believe God has a plan for you and that next step."
Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel, one of five starters who won at least 10 games for the Rockies in 2009, has watched Fowler develop.
"The first thing I remember is him running into walls for me," Hammel said. "He'll go get a ball for you.
"He was still trying to find his way as a leadoff hitter back then. But you can tell his plate discipline has improved a lot, and that's what you want out of a guy with on-base percentage. He has matured as a man and as a player."
That was evident in spring training, when Fowler initially looked vulnerable from the left side when he missed several outside pitches before starting to hit with more authority during the final week.
"In the beginning, you just try to get your timing," Fowler said. "But toward the end, you try to lock it in. That's what I was trying to do.
"People look at you early in the spring and say, 'This guy?' I'm working on (pitches) to take to the opposite field and then centering it. Now it's about going out and doing it."
Mix and match
Every reliever but Justin Grimm and Edwin Jackson has pitched at least once, and manager Joe Maddon loves the flexibility of the bullpen.
Initially, Maddon wanted relievers who weren't limited to specialty roles. But that was before the Cubs signed left-hander Phil Coke, who has struck out three of the four left-handed batters he has faced over two games.
"I like what (Coke) is doing and what Neil (Ramirez) is doing," Maddon said. "That way when you spread it out, you're not going to beat up people, either. A lot of them threw (Wednesday). With the off-day (Thursday), they're all rested but got some work at the same time, so I like it."
mgonzales@tribpub.com
