21-year old righty swinging SS Starlin Castro had a breakout year in 2011 for the Cubbies. Castro played in 158 games for the Cubs last year and he was 207 of 674 (.307 avg, .773 OPS) with 91 runs scored, 10 homers, 66 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. He has now played in 283 games in his first two years with the Cubs and he is 346 of 1,137 (.304 avg, .766 OPS) with 144 runs scored, 13 homers, 107 RBIs and 32 stolen bases. Castro had 29 errors at SS in 158 games there, but he did show good range. The Cubs expect Castro to improve defensively in the the future, but his bat has more than made up for the errors so far in his career.

29-year old switch-hitting Matt Tolbert might have a good shot to make the team because of his glove. Tolbert played in 87 games for the Twins last year and he was 41 of 207 (.198 avg, .518 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 0 homers, 11 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has now played in 247 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 139 of 605 (.230 avg, .607 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 3 homers, 54 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Tolbert only had 3 errors in 31 games at SS while showing off pretty good range.

34-year old Alfredo Amezaga played in 2 error-free games at SS last year. He can play almost anywhere defensively and do a good job.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SS IN 2012: A

26-year old righty swinging Darwin Barney is going to be the starting 2B for the Cubs again in 2012. Barney played in 143 games for the Cubs last year and he was 146 of 529 (.276 avg, .666 OPS) with 66 runs scored, 2 homers, 43 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. He has now played in 173 games in his first two years with the Cubs and he is 165 of 608 (.271 avg, .656 OPS) with 78 runs scored, 2 homers, 45 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Barney only had 12 errors in 135 games at 2B last year while showing off good range. The Cubs are hoping for a little more offense out of Barney in 2012.

24-year old lefty swinging Adrian Cardenas will get a shot to make the Cubs this spring. He played in 127 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 154 of 491 (.314 avg, .791 OPS) with 70 runs scored, 5 homers, 51 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Cardenas has now played in 643 games in his first six years in the minors and he is 749 of 2,475 (.303 avg, .780 OPS) with 374 runs scored, 29 homers, 323 RBIs and 77 stolen bases. Cardenas might shine with a change of scenery for the Cubs in 2012.

34-year old switch-hitting Alfredo Amezaga is a true utility man as he can handle playing 2B, SS, 3B and CF defensively. He played in 40 games for the Rockies & Marlins last year and he was 14 of 77 (.182 avg, .442 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 0 homers and 4 RBIs. Amezaga has now played in 584 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 348 of 1,408 (.247 avg, .640 OPS) with 173 runs scored, 12 homers, 110 RBIs and 49 stolen bases. Amezaga played in 16 games at 2B last year and he had 1 error while showing off outstanding range.

34-year old switch-hitting Bobby Scales is also trying to win a job on the Cubs’ bench in 2012. Scales played in 148 games in Japan+AAA-ball last year and he was 145 of 517 (.280 avg, .830 OPS) with 82 runs scored, 18 homers, 73 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Scales last played in the majors back in 2010 with the Cubs. He has played in 61 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 34 of 137 (.248 avg, .743 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 3 homers, 17 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

29-year old switch-hitting Matt Tolbert played in 36 games at 2B for the Twins last year and he had 3 errors there while showing out of this world range. He is also a pretty good defensive SS.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2012: C

The Chicago Cubs are likely going to use a platoon at 1B in 2012 with Bryan LaHair starting against righties and Jeff Baker starting against righties. 29-year old lefty swinging Bryan LaHair played in 20 games for the Cubs last year and he was 17 for 59 (.288 avg, .885 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs. He also played in 129 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 151 of 456 (.331 avg, 1.070 OPS) with 91 runs scored, 38 homers, 109 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. LaHair has now played in 65 games in his first two years with the Cubs and he is 51 for 195 (.262 avg, .730 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 5 homers and 16 RBIs. LaHair didn’t make any errors in 4 games at 1B last year for the Cubs. The Cubs are going to give Bryan LaHair his first real shot at P.T. in the majors in 2012.

30-year old righty swinging Jeff Baker can also play 2B and 3B. He’s likely to focus more on 1B in 2012 for the Cubs. Baker played in 81 games for the Cubs last year and he was 54 for 201 (.269 avg, .685 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 3 homers and 23 RBIs. He has now played in 229 games in his first three years for the Cubbies and he is 172 of 610 (.282 avg, .745 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 11 homers, 65 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Baker has now played in 460 games in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 316 of 1,171 (.270 avg, .758 OPS) with 167 runs scored, 33 homers, 153 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Baker didn’t make any errors in 19 games at 1B for the Cubs last year as he is a pretty solid defender.

The Cubs traded for 22-year old lefty swinging Anthony Rizzo, who was the Padres’ #1 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Rizzo was overmatched against major league pitching last year. He played in 22 games for the Padres last year and he was 18 for 128 (.141 avg, .523 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 1 homer, 9 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Rizzo whiffed a stunningly awful 46 times last season in the majors as pitchers were toying with him. Rizzo also played in 93 games in AAA-ball for the Padres last year and he was 118 for 356 (.331 avg, 1.056 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 26 homers, 101 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Rizzo had 2 errors in 45 games at 1B for the Padres last year. The Cubs are likely going to have Rizzo start the 2012 season in AAA-ball unless he has a huge spring.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 1B IN 2012: C-

The Chicago Cubs hope that the “good” version of 29-year old righty swinging catcher Geovany Soto shows up in 2012. Soto is maddening inconsistent with the bat in his hands. He played in 125 games for the Cubs last year and he was 96 for 421 (.228 avg, .721 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 17 homers and 54 RBIs. Soto has now played in 503 games in his first seven years in the majors and he is 425 of 1,648 (.258 avg, .803 OPS) with 199 runs scored, 71 homers, 250 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He played in 122 games behind the plate for the Cubs last year and he made 13 errors and had 5 passed balls. He also threw out 30 of 121 (24.8%) base stealers and Cubs’ pitchers had a 4.31 ERA with him behind the dish. The Cubs need Soto to step up with the bat and to tighten up his D a little bit as 13 errors is pathetic for a catcher.

29-year old righty swinging Jason Jaramillo is going to try to beat out 25-year old lefty swinging Steve Clevenger for the backup catcher job this spring. Jaramillo played in 23 games for the Pirates last year and he was 14 for 43 (.326 avg, .751 OPS) with 1 run scored, 6 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 119 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 79 for 336 (.235 avg, .621 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 4 homers, 38 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Jaramillo did not make any errors or have any passed balls last year in 14 games behind the plate for the Pirates. He also threw out 1 of 6 (16.7%) base stealers and Pirates’ pitchers had a 3.79 ERA with him behind the dish.

25-year old lefty swinging Steve Clevenger comes into this spring as the Cubs’ #21 prospect according to Baseball America. He played in 2 games for the Cubs last year and he was 1 for 4 (.250 avg, .900 OPS) with 1 run scored. Clevenger also played in 120 games in AA+AAA-ball last year in which he was 127 of 398 (.319 avg, .857 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 8 homers, 54 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Clevenger didn’t have any errors or passed balls last year in 2 games behind the dish for the Cubbies. He was 0 for 1 throwing out base stealers and Cubs’ pitchers had a 4.50 ERA with him behind the dish. Clevenger appears to have a bright future and it could start this spring if he can beat out Jason Jaramillo.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CATCHERS IN 2012: C+

The Cubs really need some relievers to step up in the bullpen in 2012. Rodrigo Lopez and Andy Sonnanstine are going to compete for jobs in the starting rotation, but if they lose out, they will likely try to help bolster the Cubs’ pen in 2012. Here is a look at the Cubs’ bullpen for 2012 as of right now:

Closer: Carlos Marmol: It’s brutal being a Cubs’ fan sometimes when 29-year old righty Carlos Marmol is on the hill. He has outstanding and dominant stuff, but he sometimes has no control….which gets him in a lot of pickles. Marmol pitched in 75 games (0 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 2-6 with 34 saves, a 4.01 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He has now pitched in 391 games (13 starts) in his first six years with the Cubs and he is 18-25 with 95 saves, a 3.37 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Marmol has only given up 289 hits while whiffing 599 batters in his first 459 1/3 innings, as he is outright dominating at times, but he has also walked 300 batters and that is way too many. Look for Marmol to keep games interesting in the 9th inning for the Cubs once again in 2012.

Set-Up Man: Kerry Wood: 34-year old righty Kerry Wood re-signed with Cubs for 2012. He will likely serve as the Cubs’ set-up man this year. Wood pitched in 55 games (0 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 3-5 with 1 save, a 3.35 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Wood has now pitched in 331 games (178 starts) in his first 11 years with the Cubbies and he is 80-66 with 35 saves, a 3.63 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Wood has now pitched in 436 games (178 starts) in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 86-73 with 63 saves, a 3.64 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Wood is going to do a good job for the 2012 as long as he can stay healthy.

Righties: Jeff Samardzija: 27-year old Jeff Samardzija had a breakout year for the Cubs in 2011. He pitched in 75 games (0 starts) for the Cubs in 2011 and he was 8-4 with a 2.97 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Samardzija has now pitched in 128 games (5 starts) in his first five years with the Cubs and he is 12-9 with 1 save, a 4.40 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. The Cubs hope that 2011 wasn’t a mirage but a sign of things to come for Jeff Samardzija.

Marcos Mateo: 27-year old Marcos Mateo pitched in 23 games (0 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 1-2 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He has now pitched in 44 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Cubs and he is 1-3 with a 5.04 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Mateo will likely make the Cubs’ bullpen out of spring training, but, he’s going to have to pitch much better than he did last year to keep the job.

Chris Carpenter: 26-year old Chris Carpenter pitched in 10 games (0 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 0-0 with a 2.79 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP. Carpenter also pitched in 32 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 3-4 with 2 saves, a 5.91 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. Chris Carpenter is going to have to pitch really well this spring if he’s going to win a job in the Cubs’ pen in 2012.

Manny Corpas: 29-year old Manny Corpas missed all of last season while he was recovering from Tommy John Surgery. He last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the Rockies. Corpas has pitched in 280 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 12-16 with 34 saves, a 3.93 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. If Corpas is healthy, he is not only going to make the Cubs’ bullpen, but he will likely be pitching late in games.

Casey Weathers: 26-year old Casey Weathers came to the Cubs in a deal with the Rockies over the winter. He pitched in 44 games (0 starts) in AA-ball and he was 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. He has now pitched in 132 games (0 starts) in his first four years in the minors and he is 4-5 with 8 saves, a 4.20 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Weathers is a longshot to make the Cubs’ pen this spring.

Lefties: Trever Miller: 38-year old Trever Miller is a situational lefty and little more. He pitched in 48 games (0 starts) for the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Cardinals last year and he was 0-1 with 1 save, a 3.80 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP. Miller has now pitched in 694 games (5 starts) in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 18-17 with 11 saves, a 4.18 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He is very likely to be in the Cubs’ bullpen when the 2012 season begins.

James Russell: 26-year old James Russell finally started to show some improvement last year. He pitched in 64 games (5 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 1-6 with a 4.12 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Russell has now pitched in 121 games (5 starts) in his first two years with the Cubs and he is 2-7 with a 4.47 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. The Cubs hope that Russell improves in 2012.

Scott Maine: 27-year old Scott Maine had a rough time last year for the Cubs. He pitched in 7 games (0 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 0-0 with a 10.29 ERA and a 2.29 WHIP. Maine has now pitched in 20 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Cubs and he is 0-0 with a 4.95 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Maine will likely start the 2012 season in AAA.

John Gaub: 26-year old Jon Gaub pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He also pitched in 50 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 4-4 with 7 saves, a 3.42 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Gaub will also likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball for the Cubs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: C-