7. The “Schwarber Experiment” Ends By June 1
The experiment I’m referring to is when Cubs manager Joe Maddon declared that he would bat the burly left fielder as his lead-off hitter for the 2017 campaign. On paper, Schwarber fits the bill as a great lead-off hitter if you judge him from his OBP.
From looking at only two small sample sizes, the numbers don’t lie that Schwarber can get on base. During a shortened 2015 season, he finished third on the team getting on base at a .355 clip and from the 2016 postseason his OBP was a staggering .500. The problem is, we’ve yet to see what he can do in a full season.
The Cubs will have to take into consideration his restructured knee, the possibility of him catching some innings, and just the overall idea of his body getting used to playing in his first full MLB season that at some point, they’ll have to bump him down in the lineup. Besides, moving him down in the lineup will add protection for any hitter of your choosing.
Add to that, Albert Almora Jr. is on the cusp of having a breakout year and being the Cubs new table setter by June.
