Tyler Colvin Proves To Be Prospect to Watch After Cubs Spring Opener

For centuries in the United States, a certain groundhog has been granted the power of determining the birth of the spring season and the fate of the waning months ahead. 

However, fortunately for Hawks and Cubs fans alike, the Cactus League home opener has proven this devilish rodent wrong and introduced spring fever like no other can.

Seven former Hawks competed for a roster position against the Athletics Thursday, though Tyler Colvin (2006) made the most noise in route to a six-run win over Oakland.

In front of an eager crowd at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona, Colvin went 3-for-3 by way of two doubles and a solo-homerun coming in the sixth inning, to give the Cubs a five-run lead.

Though Colvin may have briefly caught the interest of Wrigley faithful in the six games he appeared in during the 2009 season, there is much more that Chicago fans can look forward to with this 23-year-old left fielder.

Colvin made his first plunge into professional baseball when he was drafted 13th overall in the 2006 draft out of the University of Clemson and was sent the Boise Hawks Class A short season club for one season.

While in Boise, Colvin batted .268, with 71 hits and 53 RBI’s in his 64 games played, while becoming in instant fan favorite at Memorial Stadium.

At the age of 21, Colvin was promoted to Class A Daytona, where he batted a career best .306, with 24 doubles and 75 hits in as many games.

Then in 2008 while playing for Tennessee Class AA, Colvin played in 137 games, driving in 80 RBI’s and, again, a phenomenal extra base total of 52.

After bouncing between Daytona and Tennessee in 2009, Colvin made his Major League debut on September 21 where, in three at bats, he recorded one hit as well as one walk.

Moreover, Colvin has proven that he is not only an extra-base-hitting machine, but a perfect meld for the Cubs organization, and that will become much more apparent as the spring months progress.

Though Colvin will most likely find his way onto the Tennessee roster at season’s start, his name will certainly continue to arise as the future of the Chicago deep three.

So even though the groundhog has determined an uncertain future for baseball fans this spring, Cubs fans can be sure that Tyler Colvin will heat up their season nonetheless. 

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