It probably goes without saying that Kris Bryant has defied even the loftiest of expectations at the Major League level. Originally drawing comparisons to a player like Troy Glaus, Bryant has broken into a league all his own by turning in two of the best rookie and sophomore campaigns that we’ve ever seen. Of course, […]
Author: Randy Holt
Javier Baez vs. the World (of Projections)
If the 2016 postseason was Javier Baez’s introduction to a national stage, then the 2017 season figures to be the Year of Javy. With his glove and his instincts, as well as his overwhelming power, allowing him to ascend to that point last fall, we’re likely to get our largest look yet at Javy Baez […]
Carl Edwards, Jr. & the Role of Future Cubs Closer
The Cubs spent a bulk of their resources over the course of the winter upgrading their bullpen. They not only upgraded the quality of arms on the Major League team, but stockpiled potential depth options in the likely event that a multitude of additional arms become necessary. But beyond this season the picture is somewhat […]
A Brief Exploration of the Cubs’ Catching Depth
While the Cubs will head into the 2017 season with their lineup looking much the same way as it was for the bulk of last season, there’s still some intrigue about certain aspects of the roster. Centerfield is an interesting situation, and the return of Kyle Schwarber has obviously provided shiploads of buzz about of left field. […]
Signs Point to Defensive Growth in Cubs’ Outfield
The Chicago Cubs have received a great deal of praise over the past calendar year for their defense, and it’s with good reason that they’re constantly lauded for what they achieve with the leather. This is especially true of the infield. When you’re talking about a group that includes Gold Glover Anthony Rizzo, a player […]
Kris Bryant’s Latest Adjustment
It goes without saying at this point that Kris Bryant’s sophomore campaign was a remarkable one, and in several different respects. He built on a historic rookie season by not only improving his first-year statistics, but blowing away his output in almost every single regard despite notching only 49 more plate appearances than the previous […]
Going “All In” on Willson Contreras in 2017
It seemingly took all of a few minutes into spring camp for the Cubs to make their intentions clear for their young catcher Willson Contreras. His transition to the role as the Cubs’ no. 1 catcher will also feature a role serving as Jon Lester’s personal backstop. This is significant news for a catcher coming […]
Javier Baez: The Best (Defensive) Player in Baseball
Whether tuned into the game’s various intricacies, no matter how subtle, or merely a casual observer, everyone has different reasons for watching Major League Baseball. For me, it’s stellar defense through and through. A love of defense is the reason that I openly advocated for Nick Ahmed to have a starting gig on a real life […]
Jon Jay’s Significance to the 2017 Cubs
It probably says something about what the Chicago Cubs think of Jon Jay that they jumped to sign him before the month of November even came to a close. A signing that was likely the official signal toward the departure of Dexter Fowler, Jay could prove to be a significant contributor in a situation that figures […]
Just how elite is Anthony Rizzo?
It’s been widely observed that the trade with the San Diego Padres that netted the Cubs Anthony Rizzo back in January of 2012 was the move that really set the organization on course towards becoming the perennial contender that they have since become. While there are, of course, other elements of the rebuild that could stake […]