Is Miggy Giving the Cubs Reason to Think?
Featured pic Courtesy of us.geosnews.com
So it has been a personally disastrous season for Chicago Cubs catcher, Miguel Montero. He hasn’t been able to come into his own offensively in 2016, and after back stiffness and some wrist issues landed Miguel on the DL, he just hasn’t been the same defensive catcher either. Due to his struggles, and the rapid emergence of Willson Contreras, Miguel’s once locked down spot on the Cubs playoff roster is in serious jeopardy.
The playoffs isn’t all – perhaps this could be it for Miggy.
This is why you feel so good about Miguel collecting the game-winning walk-off hit in Monday night’s marathon win against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home. With so much going south for Miguel, this could be that signature moment that he can hang his hat on, knowing that he was a major contributor to a Cubs team that seems to be destined for greatness.
#LetsGo home. #Walkoffhttps://t.co/KJ17aGpbWp
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 30, 2016
But, perhaps… just perhaps Miggy is giving the Cubs reason to think.
Not only did Miguel come up big in the extra inning affair against the Pirates, but he has been much improved over a pretty long stretch here since August. Over the course of his last 14 games, Miguel has hit .444 with a .54 on-base percentage. While this is a small sample size, stretching out Miggy’s performance over his last 28 games – .240 with a .321 OBP – he’s shown some promise as possibly being a quality hitting option for Joe Maddon and the Cubs.
While this enough of a performance to unseat Contreras as the backstop who needs to get most of the reps behind the plate, he could be earning Joe’s trust as a legitimate left-handed option off the bench in the playoffs. Afterall, playoff baseball is a game of chess, and if Miggy can give Joe and the Cubs another option during this time it could be a huge benefit.
While it would seem the cards are still stacked against Miggy’s case, it is an interesting thought and a welcome problem when the Cubs are creating their playoff roster. While he sure would like to join his teammates in October, I am certain he will take it in stride, with positivity, like the great teammate he’s shown since he’s come to Chicago.
