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Inbox: What are Maddon’s leadoff options?
- Updated: January 6, 2017
CHICAGO — For too many years, the Cubs struggled to find a leadoff guy, so I don’t think it was a fluke that the emergence of Dexter Fowler coincided with the club’s success. With his departure, what options does Joe Maddon have for 2017? — Michael M., Phoenix
New year, new leadoff man. You may see Kyle Schwarber batting first this year. In the Minor Leagues, Schwarber posted a .429 on-base percentage, and his patience paid off in the World Series. During the Winter Meetings last month, Maddon said he considered inserting Schwarber in the No. 1 spot even when Fowler was on the roster. The “nerds” in the Cubs’ baseball operations department who analyze the data convinced Maddon to use Fowler, and it obviously worked. The analytics guys have probably been checking the numbers this offseason.
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Other options include Ben Zobrist, who was second on the Cubs last season with a .386 on-base percentage and paced the team in walks (96), and new addition Jon Jay, who led off for the Cardinals.
With David Ross gone, who do you think will catch Jon Lester? Will there be a mix of catchers or will Lester stick with one throughout the season? — Tracy S., Winchester, Ind.
That will probably be determined in Spring …
