The only concern about him last year at Class A Lansing was his strike-zone judgment, and he hasn't shown the improvement the Cubs had hoped. In his first 35 games in Double-A, he had 34 strikeouts and only eight walks. The Cubs should be worried that big-league pitchers will exploit both his approach and any holes in his swing, potentially burying him. I believe he can become a great player, but there's no reason to rush him. But there wouldn't be much playing time with Girardi and Reed both healthy.
Third base is a different story.
Hinske is the regular at Double-A, and could be called up before the year is over. He's a left-handed hitter who was drafted from the University of Arkansas two years ago. He hit 20 homers in his first full season as a pro, then went to Mexico last winter. He's only 23. To assist victims of the recent terrorist attacks, the McCormick Tribune Foundation is conducting a drive to raise disaster relief funds.