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The Kyle Schwarber experiment as the leadoff hitter for the Chicago Cubs was a disaster in 2017, yet manager Joe Maddon didn’t rule out the lefty returning to that role earlier this offseason. However, with the start of spring training a new trio has emerged as the leading candidates to get the leadoff spot and Cubs GM Jed Hoyer essentially confirmed that Schwarber isn’t part of that group.
Before the Cubs played their first spring training game of 2018, Maddon said he was considering a group of 3-4 players to be the team’s leadoff man. Ian Happ and Albert Almora Jr. have gotten their first look at that spot so far in Cactus League play, but Maddon also said Schwarber may get another shot there as well.
Joe Maddon made out his lineup today with a purpose. He says Ian Happ will be one of 3-4 players they try out at the top of the order this spring. He didn't go into detail but said Kyle Schwarber could get some looks there again. Schwarber is batting… https://t.co/nMpA6FFN4t
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 23, 2018
Yet, it doesn’t really sound like Schwarber is in the mix according to Hoyer, who was on The Spiegel and Parkins Show Monday morning.
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The Cubs GM was asked what he looks at when deciding who the best fit is at the leadoff spot. Here’s what Hoyer had to say.
Jed Hoyer was on the @Spiegel_Parkins show today and talked about the leadoff spot for the #Cubs. Brought up Happ, Zobrist and Almora, no mention of Schwarber though. pic.twitter.com/tX80RsmAQO
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) February 26, 2018
The biggest takeaways from that clip:
- Leadoff hitter has to be comfortable in the role
- A willingness to be the leadoff hitter
- Important to not change approach just because you’re the leadoff hitter
- Can’t let being the leadoff hitter affect the way you’re going to play
- No mention of Kyle Schwarber
So, that last bullet point is important if you’re in the camp that doesn’t want to see Schwarber go back to being the leadoff hitter. Hoyer brought up Happ, Almora Jr. and Ben Zobrist, but nothing on Schwarber.
In 2017, Schwarber struggled so much that he was demoted to Triple-A Iowa in June. Theo Epstein said Schwarber simply changed as a hitter, looking more like a slugger than what everyone in the organization expected out of the left-handed hitter.
Epstein from June 22, 2017.
Epstein noted Schwarber’s mechanics have been off and that he’s struggling to handle pitches that he would drill the previous two years, such as the high fastball. So
“The answer is not home runs,” Epstein said. “It’s more how consistent his approach, how hitter-ish is, his ability to handle different parts of the zone, hit the ball to all fields, hit line drives, be a tough out — just start to resemble the hitter he’s been his entire life.”
We’ve all seen the amazing transformation Schwarber has gone through the offseason. However, for now it doesn’t appear as though he’ll be back as the Cubs leadoff man.
Back to Happ, Almora and Zobrist. It’s very possible that we see all three get several games each at the leadoff position simply based on the fact that none of them are currently slated as every-day starters. Happ had a great rookie season, but really struggled against left-handed pitching. Almora Jr. hit .298 and had a .338 OBP overall last year, however vs. righties he only had a slash line of .271/.291/.420. There’s a chance those two could platoon in the outfield.
Then there’s Zobrist who already had a setback in spring training, missing the first few days of camp because of a back issue. How much will he even play this year, with Javier Baez establishing himself as the second baseman?
What do you think, who should be the Cubs leadoff hitter in 2018?
