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For a lot of Cubs fans that I’ve talked to during the off season, 2019 doesn’t have the excitement that the previous years have had. If you recall, 2015 was the excitement of all the young talent coming up to the big leagues, 2016 was seeing if the team could top going to the NLCS the year prior, 2017 was the encore to the World Series, and last year was going to be the year that the Cubs got back on top.
This year has already been watered down by a plethora of issues that the Cubs have faced: a dull off season, leaked emails, lack of leadership at the Cubs convention, and Addison Russell being a scumbag have all played a part in the fans gloomy outlook for 2019.
While all of those issues have frustrated me to a certain point, I’m geeked to see what 2019 will look like. Somehow, a team that has been at the top of the NL for the past five years are now faced with being an underdog going into the season (at least according to PECOTA’s bone head projections.)
In addition to that, all the reports that have been coming out of Spring Training thus far have been positive. Tyler Chatwood has apparently fixed a mechanical issue that will allow him to not walk 99% of the batters he’s faced, and just yesterday it was reported that last year’s big free agent signing, Yu Darvish, has “easily” been throwing 93-94 mph after recovering from surgery in 2018.
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Another player who had a rough 2018 has been projected to have an MVP-like season by the team’s GM, Jed Hoyer. Hoyer predicted that star third baseman Kris Bryant, would return to his MVP form of 2016 and have a monster year this season.
"I'd bet on it right now, the way he looks so far in camp."
Jed Hoyer expects an MVP-caliber performance from @KrisBryant_23 in 2019. @Cubs #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/PBYseLvnn3
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 20, 2019
Bryant had his worst year as a pro last year as he battled through a shoulder injury that led to him only playing in 102 games and even when he did play, that shoulder clearly took away from his power that Cubs fans have grown to love.
And after judging BP earlier today, the shoulder appears to be just fine.
Kris Bryant just hit a line drive HR over LF fence in BP and it didn't even look like he was trying.
"Effortless," @kpowell720 said.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 20, 2019
Bryant has made it clear through the early part of Spring Training that he is back fully healthy and has gone back to his old one-handed finish in his swing.
“I know how to hit, I know how to finish with one hand,” he said. “That’s always been who I am. I have no concerns whatsoever about my swing. Now I just have to worry about what that guy’s throwing to me and how he’s going to try to get me out and try to put all my focus into that, which is refreshing.”
Bryant trails Javy and Darvish on my list as the Cubs I’m most excited to see what 2019 will look like. If Hoyer’s prediction is anywhere close to being true, he could easily jump to the top of that list before July.
