Nate Schierholtz

After six seasons in the big leagues, mostly with San Francisco, Schierholtz came over to the Cubs last season and shocked the world with 21 home runs in 462 at-bats, both career-high marks. While his .251 batting average was a bit disappointing, Schierholtz did throw in six stolen bases for good measure. Schierholtz will be 30 by Opening Day, and although he isn't a player who is going to challenge for the league home run crown, given the lack of alternatives in Chicago, he could see another 400-500 at-bats and once again reach the 20-homer plateau.

The Phillies picked up Schierholtz from the Giants in the Hunter Pence trade and it appeared he had found himself with an opportunity for regular playing time. The Phillies gave him a look initially, but a broken toe sidelined Schierholtz in mid-August and when he returned all that was left for him was a bench job. It is a role that he seems best suited for, but after the Phillies non-tendered him in November and the Cubs signed him to a one-year deal in early December, it looks like he'll at least get another shot at a starter's role for one of the few teams where he'd get that opportunity.

Schierholtz was solid in 2011, posting a .756 OPS while hitting in a pitcher's park, and he also possesses one of the best arms in all of baseball in right field. Still, he's best suited to be a fourth outfielder, and he'll face stiff competition from Brandon Belt to win a starting job this season. Schierholtz isn't likely to surpass 300-350 at-bats when all is said and done in 2012.

Schierholtz finished 2010 with a .242/.311/.366 line over 227 at-bats, acting mostly as the Giants' fourth and fifth outfielder. He might get squeezed out of that job in 2011 with Mark DeRosa returning from injury and Aubrey Huff possibly moving to the outfield when/if Brandon Belt is ready to take over first base, but if not, Schierholtz will continue to be nothing more than a defensive replacement in the late innings, as he's no longer in the team's future plans for a big role.

After once again proving his worth in Triple-A in 2008 (.957 OPS with 18 homers over 350 at-bats), Schierholtz spent the majority of last year with the Giants, although it still resulted in limited action (285 at-bats). He didn’t produce when given the opportunity (.267/.302/.400), so it’s not like he commanded more at-bats. Schierholtz will be 26 years old when the season opens, and while he was once viewed as a good prospect, he has just six homers over 472 career major league at-bats. San Francisco needs both a left and right fielder, so a big spring training could earn Schierholtz a major role, but he’s more likely to act as a fourth or fifth outfielder.

After posting a .320/.363/.594 line in Triple-A Fresno last season, Schierholtz hit .320 over 75 at-bats with the Giants. He only hit one homer, but he did add nine other extra-base hits and rarely struck out, so he impressed. One of the better hitting prospects in San Francisco’s organization, Schierholtz deserves an opportunity to win a starting job in 2009, and if the outfield is already spoken for, then the team needs to give him a chance to win the job at first base.

Schierholtz hit .304 during 112 at-bats with San Francisco last season, but that came with just eight extra-base hits and no home runs. However, he was impressive in the Arizona Fall League, posting a .348/.363/.596 line in 89 at-bats. Schierholtz figures to battle Dan Ortmeier and Rich Aurilia for San Francisco’s first base job during spring training.

Schierholtz hit a pedestrian .270/.325/.443 in 470 at-bats for Double-A Connecticut last year, suggesting he's still a few years away from becoming a candidate for the San Francisco outfield.

Fifteen homers and 32 walks at San Jose are negative indicators for a corner-outfield prospect. Schierholtz looks more like the next Tony Torcato than anything else.

Shierholtz is a prospect from the South Atlantic League, where he was among the league leaders in 2004 with 14 HR, 51 RBI, and 21 2B before being promoted in June to the high Single-A California League. He's got lots of promise, but is several years away from the big leagues.