Darwin Barney To Be Called Up Soon

With the Chicago Cubs dropping to fifth place after last nights atrocious loss, many young players within the Cubs farm system could start to see time at the major league level. It began yesterday with the Cubs calling up minor league pitchers Casey Coleman and Thomas Diamond. It is expected to continue with infielder Darwin Barney, who is expected to be called up soon by the Chicago Cubs.

Coming into the season, Barney ranked as the 18th best prospect in the Cubs organization according to Baseball America. Baseball Prospectus had Barney as the 16th best prospect inside the Cubs organization. Barney has been credited with having the most baseball IQ among the Cubs prospects, and being the most competitive. Barney was drafted out of the fourth round by the Chicago Cubs in the 2007 draft.

Barney has found success on every level in the Cubs organization. In 2007, his first year, he hit .273/.323/.392 with the Cubs rookie league team. In his past two years combined at double A and Triple A Barney has hit .293/.339/.369. This year with the Iowa Cubs he is hitting .297/.333/.378 with 28 extra base hits in 437 at bats.

With the news of Barney being called up soon, that would have to mean that either Jeff Baker or Mike Fontenot days with the Cubs are numbered. Considering that Barney is going to be the primary backup at second base, that probably means Mike Fontenot might be on his way out. As Jeff Baker offers more versatility than Fontenot does.

It is not clear how Barney fits into the long term plans of the Cubs. As with Blake Dewitt being 25, he is expected to be the Cubs starting second baseman for at least the next couple of seasons. Also, with Hak-Ju Lee, another promising prospect in the farm system, Barney may not be able to start many games for the Cubs. However he has been projected as a utility man in the majors, and that is probably how the Cubs intend to use him over the next few seasons.