The search for someone to take reign over the leadoff spot continues and Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon has thrown a new candidate into the mix.
At the end, it might not even matter who the Cubs have leading off for them in 2018. So much was made of the loss of Dexter Fowler last year, but the Cubs still managed to score the second most amount of runs in the National League (822) that was 14 more than what they scored in 2016. Nonetheless, you would prefer some stability throughout the season. Maddon is now considering Jason Heyward to be the team’s leadoff man.
Heyward got his first look in the leadoff position Friday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Don’t be surprised if he’s in there again during spring training.
Via ESPN.
Joe Maddon has Jason Heyward leading off today. It’s the first time someone other than Ian Happ or Albert Almora Jr. has been at the top of the lineup this spring. Maddon: “Check it out. Take it for a test drive. I like what he’s (Heyward) doing right now. Just want to make sure we’re looking at every possibility.”
Heyward went 1-for-3, Friday, hitting a double in his second at bat.
As Maddon said, he’s simply looking at every possibility. For now it appears as though Ian Happ has emerged as the early favorite, with his scorching-hot start in spring training.
As for Heyward, new Cubs hitting coach Chili Davis is hoping to unlock the right-fielder’s potential at the plate. Before signing with the Cubs, Heyward had at least a 120 wRC+ in three of his previous four seasons. In his two seasons with the Cubs, Heyward’s put up a 71 wRC+ in 2016, and 88 wRC+ in 2017.
Right now it seems Davis is helping Heyward the most with his mental makeup.
Via The Athletic.
“But as far as going forward with Chili, it’s been a very easy transition, because he played for a long time,” Heyward said. “Sometimes, you may not always need to talk about a mechanical thing. Sometimes, you just may need [to talk about a feel] and this gets you in the right mindset. And then things fall into place that way.
“Because at the end of the day, during the season, [for] 162 games, that’s what you need more than anything. You can work mechanics. You can work drills all you want to. But the mindset going into that drill is important. And the mindset going into each game and at-bat is a big thing.”
Heyward has a career .344 OBP, so if he can simply get back to a respectable batting average he could become an option leading off, as he’s shown throughout his career that he can draw walks.
But again, it may not matter with this Cubs team because of all the talent up and down the roster.
