Young Cubs outfielders making an impression

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By Jason P. Skoda
CSNChicago.com contributor

MESA, Ariz.The Cubs outfield is for the over 30 crowd.

Alfonso Soriano is 36, David DeJesus is 32 and Marlon Byrd is 35. The fourth outfielder is slated be Reed Johnson and he is 35.

All have produced in the past, but have shown signs of wear and tear in recent years.
Enter Brett Jackson, 23, Matt Szczur, 22 and even Tony Campana, 25.

Any slip ups, injuries or maybe even a shakeup of the clubhouse after a bad couple of weeks and the youngsters just might be ready to take over.

While Campana, who had two hits on Sunday in a 7-5 10-inning loss to the White Sox at HoHoKam Stadium, made his major-league debut last season, Jackson, as everyone knows, is the next big thing at Wrigley Field.

When you see him in person, its been pretty impressive, every part of his game, Cubs manager Dale Sveum said earlier this week. He comes to play every game. He comes to kick the other teams butt. Theres no doubt about it. A very aggressive, confident kid whos probably going to end up playing here a long time.

The feeling is the current contingent of outfielders are far from done otherwise there would be more of a push to keep Jackson on the roster on Opening Day.

Byrd has lost a ton of weight and is gliding better in the outfield, DeJesus just signed a two-year, 10-million deal this offseason and Soriano has lessened his leg kick and seemingly found a groove this spring at the plate.

"The other day, Brett Jackson was hitting a ball down the line and pushing into second," Byrd told the Chicago Tribune. "The next time I get up, I'm like, 'All right, he hit it down the line. I'm doing the same thing.' These kids can play, and that's the exciting thing."
Sveum, of course, feels that way after taking over the top spot in the Cubs dugout this season with the expectation of being around long enough to benefit from the young talent down the line.

I dont see why he wouldnt be ready, he said of Jackson. Maybe just develop the last part of his game as a little bit better two-strike hitter and not putting himself in some of those counts with swinging and missing. As far as the ability or anything, I dont see what else has to happen.

Szczur, who will start the season at Double-A Tennessee after spending 2011 in Single-A Peoria and Daytona, is still getting at-bats because of a strong of split-squad games despite getting sent down.

Its a huge honor to still be here, Szczur said after going 0-for-3 on Sunday. When I am up here, getting one at-bat here or one at-bat there its hard but it is still a chance to show them something.

Bench coach Jamie Quirk said the extra look is vital for a young player like Szczur.
Its great for the young guys to get four or five at-bats, said Quirk, who managed in Arizona while Sveum was in Las Vegas. Its mental toughness. They get to keep playing and show their skills. Anytime they can show their skills it is a plus.

Szczur said the idea of playing with Jackson, who is hitting .318 with a home run and five RBIs in 22 at-bats, in the confines of Wrigley someday has crossed his mind, but he is more focused on the present day.

We just go out there and play, said Szczur, who is hitting .158 in 19 spring at-bats. It is exciting to see us out there together. Were having fun. I have to worry about the day-by-day for now but I am excited to see what happens.

Notes: The Cubs will play a B game Monday against the Indians at Goodyear with right-hander Randy Wells getting the start.Right-hander Chris Volstad had another solid outing, giving up one earned (his first of the spring), in four innings against Texas in Las Vegas. He allowed four hits and struck out three.The crowd of 12,469 was the second largest of the spring for the Cubs after getting 13,245 on Friday.

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