Tyler Colvin

2013

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2012

After a 20-homer rookie season, the former first-round pick fell apart in 2011, posting a .150/.204/.306 line in 206 major league at-bats. Colvin almost never draws a walk, and his high strikeout rate and average defensive skills make him a long shot to see regular playing time despite his ample power. Colvin was dealt to the Rockies in December, so if he does somehow break into the lineup, there's some home run upside. But he doesn't offer much else.

2011

The Cubs' top pick in 2006, Colvin broke out in 2010 with 20 homers and a .254/.316/.500 line in 358 at-bats as a 24-year-old. Colvin can play all three outfield positions, but will likely begin the year backing up both Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome, a situation that might remedied by a Soriano injury or a Fukudome trade before too long. Even if all three are with the team, Colvin will get frequent at-bats and might even spell Marlon Byrd in center field on occasion. Colvin's plate discipline could use work, and he strikes out too much, making him a batting average risk. But at age 25, he's only likely to get better. While Colvin's expected to be 100 percent healthy for the start of spring training, it's worth noting he suffered one of the more gruesome injuries imaginable on a baseball diamond when a jagged piece of a broken bat punctured his chest and collapsed his lung in mid-September.

2010

The Cubs' top pick in 2006, Colvin took a step forward last year, going .300/.334/.524 in 307 Double-A at-bats. The problem is Colvin still doesn't have much plate discipline, and that Double-A line is less impressive when you consider he turned 24 in September. Colvin still has room to grow, but at this point it's hard to see a player with only modest power and poor on-base skills developing into more than a serviceable major league regular. He'll likely start the year at Triple-A and his chances of seeing time in center field for the Cubs took a hit with the addition of Marlon Byrd in free agency.

2008

The Cubs' first-round pick in 2006, Colvin hit a combined .299/.324/.488 between High-A Daytona Beach and Double-A Tennessee. His ability to hit for power and speed is attractive, but his 15:101 BB:K ratio bodes badly as he ascends through the system. Colvin is expected to start the year at Triple-A Iowa in 2008 in the hope of having him with the big-league club in 2009.

2007

The Cubs' 2006 first-round draft pick flashed some power and speed in short season Single-A last year, but drew just 17 walks against 55 strikeouts in 265 at-bats. Still, it was his first season of professional ball and he impressed scouts with his defense and ability to hit for power to all fields. In fact, Baseball America named him the top prospect in the Northwest League. Colvin could ascend through the Cubs' system quickly if he improves his on-base skills.