If you follow the Cubs closely or have looked over the spring training box scores the last few days you have probably asked yourself that very question. Micah Hoffpauir has gotten out to a sizzling start this spring, compiling a line of .368/.429/.737 with 2 homeruns in 19 at-bats so far; of course it's only been 5 games but still...
Selected by the Cubs in the 13th round of the 2002 draft out of Lamar University, Hoffpauir moved steadily up to AA by 2004. Though he was 24 years old, which is considered "old" for AA, Hoffpauir had shown the ability to hit for both power and average in his first two years.
In 2005, Hoffpauir reached AAA and compiled a line of .268/.334/.342 with only 3 homeruns in 392 at-bats and it appeared that the 25 year old could not handle the more advanced AAA pitchers. The next year, the Cubs demoted Hoffpauir back to AA for the first half of 2006. After dominating the inferior pitching, Hoffpauir was once again promoted to AAA where he posted an improved line of .267/.345/.451 with 12 homeruns in 255 at-bats.
Over the last two years, Hoffpauir has adapted to AAA pitching posting a 2007 line of .319/.365/.552 with 16 homeruns in 310 at-bats. Last year Hoffpauir really blossomed, hitting .362/.393/.762 with 25 homeruns and 100 RBI in only 290 at-bats. He was rewarded for his excellent season at AAA with a September call-up from the Cubs, of which he took full advantage hitting .342/.400/.534 in 73 at-bats.
The Cubs signing of Milton Bradley during the off-season shows they don't want to leave a starting role in the hands of someone so unproven. Hoffpauir certainly has Bradley and Kosuke Fukudome ahead of him on the depth chart, but Bradley is extremely injury prone, and Fukudome had a terrible second half last year, so Hoffpauir could find himself getting quite a bit of major league at-bats in 2009. The 28 year old could also end up spelling Derek Lee from time to time in order to help take some of the pressure off of the aging first baseman.
If the stars align, Hoffpauir could fill in for Bradley and Lee enough to get himself 300+ at-bats next year. It's unlikely he will hit for a very high average in the majors as his 2008 stint was aided by a whopping .489 BABIP, but a line of .260/.320/.500 with as many as 20 homeruns appears more and more likely if he is given a chance to play. Look for him to make a larger than expected contribution for Chicago in 2009.
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