N.L. central

Sporting News, The, July 1, 2005

CHICAGO CUBS

RHP Sergio Mitre has improved his control by tightening his delivery and finding a consistent arm slot. Before getting hit hard by the Yankees last weekend, Mitre didn't allow a run--or a walk--in his two previous starts. He won both, including a complete-game effort against the Marlins. Mitre is determined to stay with the club once RHPs Kerry Wood and Mark Prior return. ... When Wood does return, he still will throw across his body, but expect him to show better control. The time off has given Wood a chance to tweak his mechanics. He needed to make some changes to avoid reinjuring his right shoulder. POWER TOOL: 1B Derrek lee has gotten plenty of attention for his torrid start at the plate, but don't overlook what he does on defense. A Gold Glove winner in 2003, Lee is the team's best defensive first baseman since Mark Grace. Lee has great footwork, enabling him to move gracefully around the bag. Lee (6-5,245) provides a big target.--Carrie Muskat

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

The team got a brief look at 18 Prince Fielder, a top prospect, during five interleague games at A.L. parks. Fielder, 21, appeared anxious in his early plate appearances and often hacked at the first pitch. If he improves his plate discipline, he could develop into a .300 hitter in the majors. ... The Brewers signed C Damian Miller partly for his clutch hitting, but the veteran hasn't delivered. Through 45 games, he was hitting .150 with runners in scoring position, down from .324 with the A's last year. POWER TOOL: Infield coach Rich Dauer estimates that rookie SS J.J. Hardy could have 15 to 20 errors this season if he weren't one of the league's best at adjusting to bad hops. Instead, Hardy had two errors in his first 48 games and 156 chances, one of which was the result of the notoriously uneven playing surface at Miller Park. If Hardy can get his bat going, he might have the makings of an All-Star-caliber player.--Adam McCalvy

CINCINNATI REDS

RHP Paul Wilson will miss the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff and labrum in his pitching shoulder. He is expected to be ready for the start of the 2006 season. RHP Luke Hudson, who also had shoulder problems this season, is Wilson's replacement in the rotation. Hudson showed a mid-90s fastball and a power curve last season but missed the first two months this year. ... It's doubtful OF Kenny Kelly, a recent call-up, will play regularly, but he certainly will be able to provide speed off the bench. POWER TOOL: LF Adam Dunn has the power to hit 50 home runs in a season, and that naturally makes him a dangerous force in the middle of the order. But with that power comes bunches of strikeouts, which have just as much impact in a negative fashion. If Dunn finds a way to make more contact without sacrificing power, he could become one of baseball's best hitters.--Anthony Castrovince

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

C Ryan Doumit, called up June 4 to replace the struggling Ty Wigginton, has impressed the team with his polished approach at the plate. Doumit, a switch hitter, has more pop from the fight side but likely will post a better average from the left. ... Although he has not been able to crack the starting lineup since being claimed off waivers May 11, the Pirates remain intrigued by OF Michael Restovich. The club plans to keep him on the roster, hoping that some playing time becomes available or he gets hot enough to earn more. ... Red-hot IF Freddy Sanchez has earned a position atop the lineup against lefthanders. OF Matt Lawton will drop to the No. 2 spot against lefties while remaining the leadoff hitter against righties. POWER TOOL: Jose Castillo has staked a solid claim to second base with stellar defense so far this season. His range has drawn comparisons to that of former Pirates defensive whizzes Jose Lind and Pokey Reese. But it's his arm strength that really stands out.--Jim Banks

HOUSTON ASTROS

CF Willy Taveras is showing improvement on defense. He made an over-the-wall catch in Baltimore that robbed Rafael Palmeiro of a home run, which was something Taveras had been working on with coach Jose Cruz. Taveras previously hadn't shown that kind of aggressiveness on plays at the wall. ... RF Jason Lane and 36 Morgan Ensberg are showing their power; entering the week, they already had 11 home runs combined in June. Their ability to drive the ball will force manager Phil Garner to consider moving one of them into the No. 3 spot. 2B Craig Biggio should be hitting first or second but was moved to No. 3 because of the struggles of the rest of the lineup. POWER TOOL: Adam Everett is the strongest fielder on the team, and his skills at shortstop compensate for an infield filled with average defenders. He is terrific at turning double plays, which helps Biggio, whose range and quickness are not what they used to be. Everett's range is first-rate.--Alyson Footer

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

The offense should be better able to handle lefthanded pitching now that 3B Scott Rolen, a powerful righthanded hitter, is back in the lineup. The team struggled against lefthanders while Rolen was on the D.L. Even with Rolen returning, St. Louis still wants to add a righthanded hitter who can pinch hit and be a spot starter. ... 2B Mark Grudzielanek has hit second a lot this season, but the Cards would prefer to have a power hitter, such as RF Larry Walker, in that spot. Walker, however, has struggled to find a consistent hitting stroke. POWER TOOL: 1B Albert Pujols is as good a righthanded hitter as anyone in baseball. He's not a classic power hitter but rather a line-drive hitter who hits about 40 of them out of the park every season. That's why he hits third rather than cleanup. He's a run producer, and he hits for a high enough average to get on base and score a lot of runs. Opponents always are conscious of where he is in the order.--Matthew Leach