The Chicago Cubs have lacked consistency from the lead-off position since Dexter Fowler left. That isn’t a secret. It’s also not really a secret that in today’s game, that speedy prototypical lead-off hitter isn’t necessarily needed. This is why the Cubs flirted with guys like Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ, Anthony Rizzo, and Jason Heyward.
But flirting has gotten the Cubs into trouble as they always felt they could answer the question with an in-house solution. Now, enter the 2020 in-house solution – Kris Bryant.
I know when you look at what Bryant brings to the table – power, some swing-and-miss, run-producing bat – he isn’t the guy you peg as the lead-off guy. But all Bryant has done since he has been a Cub is offer to do anything and everything the team needed to win. If it is playing left field or first base or center field – this guy happily does it all. A lot of the time it goes unnoticed by Cubs fans that are overly happy to applaud Rizzo for pitching that one time (I’m not knocking Rizz here).
Now he is standing up and offering to lead the Cubs offense.
Kris Bryant not only amenable to being leadoff man he is embracing the possibility and told Ross today he’s here to do whatever is needed.
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) February 19, 2020
Bryant is a guy that understands where the club has lacked and is more than willing to step up.
Bryant on leadoff spot, 2/2:
"I think we have so much turnover, just trying certain guys out, you don’t get that consistency. If I need to be the guy that’s up there that's going to be consistent and get on base, I’ll be that guy." https://t.co/bbVDnYUSei— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) February 19, 2020
While, sure, you don’t have a 30+ homer guy batting 2, 3, 4, or 5… you do have your most dangerous hitter batting up top getting a bonus at bat.
Bryant on leading off “ I also am excited about getting that extra at bat leading off “ Bryant said he will also reach out to others who have been successful leadoff men for tips. ( Dexter Fowler ??)
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) February 19, 2020
He is also familiar with batting lead-off. In 2013 Bryant hit lead-off for the University of San Diego, that season he was named College Player of the Year after a 1.314 OPS, 31 HR season where he was far and away the best college hitter.
Bryant led off for University of San Diego during his junior year when he was college player of the year. Said he would seek advice/tips from guys with big-league experience.
What he likes most about it: "fifth at-bat." https://t.co/wALwdnFnvA— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) February 19, 2020
Let’s just face it… Bryant is the best suited for the job with an obvious choice lacking on the roster. He gets on-base at a higher rate than any other Cub, he has a dynamic offensive approach, doesn’t swing into dumb outs, and will immediately put pressure on the pitcher. Oh, and he will get an extra at-bat.
Many baseball statisticians will claim the best way to build a lineup is by starting from your best hitter and going down. This ensures that your best hitters are getting on-base and they create more runs because the bases are filled more often. In the Cubs world, the lineup would look something like this when using that approach.
- Kris Bryant
- Anthony Rizzo
- Javier Baez
- Willson Contreras
- Kyle Schwarber
- Jason Heyward
- Ian Happ/Albert Almora
- Jason Kipnis/David Bote/Robel Garcia
- Pitcher
A lineup like that would end up scoring more runs, and honestly, all you are doing is removing the leadoff hitter and moving everyone up a spot.
Personally, I think Ian Happ finds a ton of at-bats up there, Schwarber might find some as well… ultimately I think David Ross is more of a traditionalist in lineup creation senses and will opt for guys that look more like a lead-off hitter. While Bryant might not “look-like” one, he has all the tools needed to be one.
Instead of asking for this guy to be traded, we should be honored to watch him play every day. After all, his words… “I am a Chicago Cub.”
