Ian Happ looks to have solidified his place in the lineup—at least for now—as the Cubs’ lead-off hitter. But while Happ has earned the chance to be in the lineup every day, it’s unclear exactly where he fits in the field. The Cubs will likely start the 2018 season with an outfield comprised of Kyle Schwarber, Happ, […]
Category: Articles
If They Had To Do It All Over Again…
Amongst the tributes and Twitter videos, of which I certainly haven’t watched all or anything, I suppose at some point some people would ask if the Cubs saw the market developing this way. With Arrieta finally signing two weeks int march for only three years, Lance Lynn nabbing a mere one-year deal, and Alex Cobb […]
Which Affiliate Is the One to Watch in 2018?
The minor-league season doesn’t kick off until April 5. When it does, the Cubs are going to have four full-season teams in action, and come June, an additional five short-season teams. That amounts to some 300+ prospects. It’s going to be exciting to try and keep up with all of them. Usually, one affiliate stands […]
Is There a New Ceiling for Kyle Schwarber?
Since he was drafted in 2014 out of Indiana, and subsequently called up in 2015, Kyle Schwarber has always represented something of a polarizing player for the Chicago Cubs. Is he a catcher or is he a DH? Can he play the outfield at an average level? Is he all power at the plate? There […]
How Willson Contreras Can Speed Up the Game
As a rule, I’m hesitant to mention Bob Brenly in the posts I write on the off chance it might bring up repressed memories of watching any of the Cubs teams for which he broadcast. In these heady times for the franchise, no one needs to be reminded of…say…Milton Bradley throwing a ball into the […]
Ian Happ vs. His Scouting Report
In his first few spring games, Ian Happ has walloped four home runs in only 18 plate appearances, including three leadoff homers. It’s enough to make one wonder if Happ could really slot into the leadoff spot more regularly for the 2018 Cubs, as Joe Maddon continues to search for a player to fill that role […]
Bend And Change Is The New Twist And Crawl
Mike Montgomery is something of a weird study. It’s hard to judge just how vital he is to the Cubs’ success this year. He’s not a starter, and he’s not a closer (except for that one time), and yet he may end up being more important than a reliever. And the hunch says you’re going […]
Does Kyle Schwarber’s Improved Fitness Mean Improved Defense?
Kyle Schwarber has been a popular topic during Cubs’ spring camp to date, primarily due to his astounding transformation from a burly outfielder/hopeful catcher to a slim & sleek only-outfielder. Coming off of the year that he had, in which he slugged 30 homers but ran into some unbelievably bad luck (.214 BABIP), Schwarber’s production […]
The Two Albert Almoras
It’s no secret that Joe Maddon likes to rotate his players. Outside of Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, no Cubs player reached two-thirds of the team’s games at one position, with only Jason Heyward (right field) and Kyle Schwarber (left) even topping 100. That philosophy extends to Maddon’s usage of his bench, from which many […]
Albert Almora Might Be a Fourth Outfielder—and That’s OK
For some time now, Albert Almora, Jr., has been the heir-apparent in center fielder for the Chicago Cubs. Almora was the sixth overall selection by the Cubs brain trust in 2012 as Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod made him the first selection of their tenure. He’s made a smooth progression each season since being […]