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Joe Maddon has had a clear idea of who will bat leadoff for the 2017 Chicago Cubs and on Thursday he once again reiterated that Kyle Schwarber is the frontrunner to take on that roll this season.
Back in December, Maddon discussed Schwarber and Ben Zobrist as the options to replace Dexter Fowler as the leadoff hitter, but the entire time the manager seemed confident that he was leaning toward Schwarber.
A few days before the first spring training game for the Cubs, Maddon still views Schwarber as the man.
Joe Maddon identifies Kyle Schwarber as the clear frontrunner to hit leadoff in #Cubs lineup this season.
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) February 23, 2017
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Schwarber will be #Cubs leadoff man, Maddon says. Leaning toward pitcher batting 8th again
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 23, 2017
However, the Cubs will remain cautious with their young slugger, who is coming off two major surgeries on his left leg. Schwarber’s unbelievable come back in 2016 was remarkable, but the club is going to play it safe and lower the risk of future injury.
#Cubs will be careful with Schwarber playing time so don't aggravate left knee. If he sits, Zobrist can leadoff, Maddon says
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 23, 2017
And for those of you who keep crying, “Schwarber is too slow to hit leadoff,” the Cubs don’t care. All that matters with Schwarber is him getting on base, which as a rookie he did at a .355 clip, and also murdering baseballs.
Stealing bases isn’t a priority for the Cubs, who ranked 15th in that category last season. Again, all the Cubs want for Schwarber to do is walk, hit doubles and home runs and then trot home when Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo also murder baseballs.
Damn, Schwarber, Bryant and Rizzo to start the game. Good luck pitchers.
#Cubs Maddon on Schwarber: "I'd prefer that he subscribe to the Brian Downing method of leading off." BD totaled 12 SB in 606 Gs as leadoff
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 23, 2017
"Kyle Schwarber is too slow to hit leadoff!"
Me: pic.twitter.com/yufyJZHtnB
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) February 23, 2017
Maddon also discussed batting the pitcher eighth in the lineup, like he did in 2015.
Maddon is still waiting on more info. from Geek Dept., but Cubs are considering hitting the pitcher 8th again in front of Almora/Jay combo.
— Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney) February 23, 2017
If you remember back to 2015, Maddon implemented this strategy with Addison Russell hitting ninth behind the pitcher. So, it makes sense Maddon is considering it again with another young player in Albert Almora getting a bigger role with the team this year with the departure of Fowler.
Quickly going back to Schwarber hitting leadoff, if he avoids any injury he has a good chance to break Alfonso Soriano’s record of 13 leadoff home runs. Soriano hit 13 of them in 2003 with the New York Yankees. Soriano set a Cubs record, hitting 12 leadoff home runs in 2007.
