Josh

Vitters

Vitters was once considered one of the better prospects in the Cubs’ system, but he has drawn just 71 walks over 1666 plate appearances in the minor leagues, resulting in a mediocre .758 OPS in five minor league seasons. The Cubs aren’t about to give up his on his sweet right-handed swing, but the 22-year-old hasn’t come close to matching the hype adorned to him as the No. 3 overall pick of the 2007 Draft.

The Cubs don’t have much to lose by throwing Josh Vitters out there regularly, but they don’t want to bury the youngster. Vitters went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Monday in his last start and is now batting .093 with 19 strikeouts over 56 plate appearances. Sveum said he’ll “mix and match,” while at the same time giving Vitters “some time to kick back.”

The No. 3 pick in the 2007 draft, Vitters has had a nice year at Iowa, batting .304/.356/.513 batting line with 17 homers over 452 plate appearances. Although he’s not in the lineup Sunday, he should play third base pretty regularly over the final two months. He’s worth scooping up in NL-only formats.

Vitters deposited a hanging Mark Rogers curveball into the left field seats. It was his only hit in four trips to the plate, and the former No. 3 overall pick is not batting just .108 with 13 strikeouts and no walks in his first 11 games as a Cub.

Vitters, who turns 23 later this month, is hitting .296/.349/.496 with 15 home runs, 63 RBI and an .846 OPS in 106 games this season at the Triple-A level. There are serious questions about his plate discipline, but he should get a look as the Cubs evaluate their internal options for 2013. He might be worth a stash in NL-only formats.

Vitters lasted just two games with the Caracas Lions before getting the boot. It’s not clear if the 23-year-old third baseman will try to latch on with another team or simply head home.

The Cubs are unlikely to be competitive in the National League Central next season, so they’ll keep their top prospects marinating down on the farm. Vitters, a 23-year-old third baseman, batted .121/.193/.202 in his first 36 major leagues games this summer. Jackson, a 24-year-old outfielder, hit .175/.303/.342 in 44 games.

It’s his second time on the disabled list this season, as he dealt with some back soreness in April. The 23-year-old is batting .270/.343/.444 with three home runs, eight RBI and a .787 OPS in 19 games this season in Triple-A.

Vitters was originally diagnosed with a mild quad strain, but if he’s out another week that will be over three weeks that he’s been on the shelf. The 23-year-old third baseman is expected to begin the year at Triple-A.

Vitters has been on the shelf since late February with a quad injury. He should theoretically have enough time to get ready for Opening Day, but he’s expected to begin the year at Triple-A, anyway.