In her latest Mailbag column, MLB.com Cubs beat writer Carrie Muskat answers a reader's assertion that Matt Murton would be a good #2 hitter:

After what I've seen, I think Matt Murton would be a great No. 2 hitter. He is a good contact and hit-and-run guy and rarely strikes out. He could move runners right away to get them in scoring position for Lee and Aramis Ramirez. Do you think Murton is a No. 2 guy, and will the Cubs try him there at some point? -- Matt G., Richmond, Ill.

"Ronny Cedeno actually would be the best No. 2 hitter, but Cubs manager Dusty Baker wants to ease him into that spot. Baker was asked this winter about Murton batting second, and he said no because Murton hits the ball in the air too much.

Based on her answer, Muskat either 1) doesn't think Murton would be a good #2 hitter and uses Baker's assessment as cover; or 2) does think Murton would be a good #2 hitter but doesn't want to question Baker's throught processes.

In any event, if anyone saw Murton hit last year, they know that he doesn't "hit the ball in the air too much." Murton was a seeing-eye groundball machine last year, at least until September, when he started hitting some home runs. But that .321 batting average was built on hard-hit grounders and a line drive here and there. Murton ultimately hit 2.55 grounders for every fly ball last year. Cedeno's ratio was 2-to-1.

What do you want out of a #2 hitter? First, the ability to get on base in front of the 3-4-5 hitters. Second, a little bit of power, as a double can score most leadoff hitters. Third, patience, to allow the leadoff hitter some latitude in stealing bases. Fourth, someone who doesn't strike out a lot, so that you can hit-and-run and, more importantly, so that you have someone who can hit with two strikes (as the batter patiently waits for the leadoff hitter to steal). Fifth, at least first-to-third on a single speed.

Murton has these qualities. What can Cedeno do out of the 2-hole that Murton cannot?

Todd Walker should be the #2 hitter against righthanded pitchers this year. But if Murton is the player I think he is (solid, but not great), he would make a fine #2 hitter in 2006 against lefthanded pitching.