When Cubs' stud Mark Prior was asked if he had any ideas on how to improve the team's defense for the upcoming season, the first person he mentioned was Ronny Cedeno.

'I think Ronny is going to be a big asset for us,' said Prior of the unproven but talented infielder.

With the support and endorsement of his peers, as well as his manger Dusty Baker, the opportunity is there for the taking for Ronny Cedeno. The young Venezuelan is confident that he has the tools to do the job everyday, and the Cubs desperately need someone to step up and assume the role as the captain of the ball club's infield. The expectations and pressure are high for the man who is projected to be the Cubs' youngest opening day short stop since Shawon Dunston in 1986 (Dunston was 23 yrs, 1 month old – Cedeno will be 23 yrs, 2 months old on opening day).

To cope with the mounting pressure and expectations this off-season, Cedeno played baseball. While snow shrouded the infield at Wrigley, Cedeno played winter ball in Venezuela. For his efforts during winter league play, Ronny was named Rookie of the Year. Cedeno hit .355 with 9 doubles and 28 RBIs in 45 games, while spending all of his time at short stop to earn the honor. Along with the valuable experience, Cedeno also got the pleasure of playing in front of his family in Venezuela (including 16 month old daughter Barbara). Though he is loved and will be missed in his home town of Carabobo, Ronny is eager to get another shot in the show after his promising season ended a little early in 2005 (he was hit on the hand with a pitch on Sept. 10th).

In his time playing with the big boys in Chicago last season, Cedeno hit .300 on the nose with a .356 on base average while playing in 41 games. Since making his debut at age 17 in rookie ball, Ronny has put up solid numbers in the minor leagues, as well as his brief time with the Cubs.

Cedeno's statistics paint the picture of a ball player who can potentially do a little bit of everything. During his minor league career Cedeno stole 75 bases, chipped in with 24 home runs, and saw his batting average climb on every step of his 6 year path to the majors -- and remember, the guy just turned 23!

The humble Cedeno expects nothing less than the best from himself. He also expects to get a lot of on-the-job help and advice from Cubs' veteran infielder Neifi Perez, a former gold glove winner. While Neifi will certainly help Ronny along, he will also give Cedeno a good deal of competition for playing time if the youngster struggles. Perez is a free swinging scrapper who has proven himself time and time again. The short stop job at Wrigley Field will not be handed to Cedeno, though Ronny may receive a bit more leeway than average in the early going of the 2006 season.

I personally believe that Cedeno will rise to the challenge and anchor the Cubs infield for many years to come. He is young, talented, hard working and humble -- and those personality straits are what baseball coaches ask Santa Claus for at Christmas time. He is a smart hitter that knows how to do the little things (bunt, hit-and-run, hit deep in the count) and a solid fielder with decent speed. He is a coach-able baseball player and he plays the game with a smile on his face, a slightly goofy smile that Chicagoans will be very familiar with soon enough.