The book on Cubs’ LaHair

MESA, Ariz. — Bryan LaHair has the inside track at winning the Cubs’ opening-day job at first base. LaHair has spent most of his career in the minor leagues since 2003. Here is a sampling of what others are saying or have written about him:

Kevin Goldstein, Baseball Prospectus:#147;LaHair has gone from a Quad-A hitter to one scouts believe in. Things are finally lining up for LaHair. He played in Venezuela this winter and dominated the league; he hit 15 home runs in 169 at-bats and drew 9 intentional walks. Just as importantly, he spent some time in left field, hoping to prove that when (prospect Anthony) Rizzo is ready, he#146;ll be able to move, as opposed to just fade away.#148;Dan Wade, Fangraphs:#147;LaHair has made his claim on the Cubs#146; vacancy at first base and any other corner where they might be willing to give him time. He hit .331/.405/.664 with 38 home runs in Triple-A last year, then went down to Venezuela and hit well again, posting a .272/.404/.592 line to go with 15 HR in 169 ABs, so he isn#146;t just a park factor-induced figment of the PCL. It seems exceedingly likely that he#146;ll produce if he#146;s given the chance to do so; the question is just where that playing time will come from.#148;Rudy Jaramillo, Cubs hitting coach:#147;He#146;s short and quick to the ball, and that#146;s one thing he#146;s worked on the last two or three years to correct, and that#146;s what made the difference for him. When you start having the results, your confidence (grows) and you believe in yourself. That helps you slow your mind down and slow the game down, and that#146;s what I#146;m seeing.#148;Dale Sveum, Cubs manager:#147;Some guys can#146;t do certain things, but this kid is obviously the last two years and going to winter ball this year has made some adjustments and obviously tearing the cover off the ball no matter where he goes.#147;He swung the bat pretty well when he came up in September last year as well. Some guys, something ticks with something swinging the bat or somebody tells him one little thing and all of the sudden it comes together.#147;Unfortunately for some kids, it comes a little bit later, but the fact of the matter is I think it#146;s clicked for him right now.#148;