Blake DeWitt

Acquired from the Dodgers in a midseason trade, DeWitt didn't hit much for the Cubs down the stretch, posting a modest .250/.314/.375 line in 184 at-bats. DeWitt showed good on-base skills in the high minors, but he doesn't hit for much power, and he's not much of a threat to run. He'll compete with Jeff Baker (and to a lesser extent Darwin Barney) for the second base job, and should also back up Aramis Ramirez at third.

DeWitt took a bit of a step back in 2009, going just 10-for-49 with the Dodgers in sporadic playing time while spending the majority of the season in Triple-A where he batted just .256/.349/.426. DeWitt showed glimpses of his potential in 2008 when he was rushed to the big leagues due to injury and held his own with a .344 OBP in 92 games. The Dodgers have an opening at second base, so look for DeWitt to get a long look during spring training.

A rash of injuries at the hot corner and eventually second base forced the Dodgers to turn to DeWitt, who ended up with 368 at-bats between third base and second and hit a surprising .264/.344/.383 with nine home runs. DeWitt, who had under 300 at-bats above Class-A ball prior to 2008, was a former No. 1 pick of the club and up until 2008, had been a relative disappointment. Now, he's impressed the club enough to be penciled in for regular time at either second or third base depending on the organization's other moves during the offseason. DeWitt probably won't be an above-average hitter in 2009, but NL-only leaguers could do far worse.

DeWitt's performance so far as a pro has been a letdown for a guy touted by some as the best high school hitter in the 2004 draft. A line of .292/.327/.466 between High-A and Double-A for someone of his pedigree is a bit of a disappointment and he moved from second to third base. He does have a pretty swing, but 27 walks in over 500 at-bats represented a regression in his walk rate, although DeWitt did cut down on his strikeouts during that span. Still, there's still some upside here, particularly if the Dodgers can move him back to second base.

After a so-so .268/.339/.442 106 games in High-A, DeWitt finished the year in Double-A where he struggled, hitting just .183/.241/.221. A former first-round pick, DeWitt's minor league career has been a disappointment, but at 21, he'll still be one of the younger players in Double-A where he'll return in 2007. If he can stick at second base defensively, DeWitt could be worth watching for fantasy owners by 2009.

DeWitt was the Dodgers’ second first-round selection and the 28th overall pick of the 2004 draft. He was a shortstop in high school but moved to third where he's a better fit for the pro game. He's a polished hitter with some power but is still a long away from the majors.

Dewitt, a high school shortstop, was chosen in first round by the Dodgers to play third base. He wasn't considered a pro shortstop but has a strong left-handed bat and projects for power as he develops.