Kris Bryant Heads to Left Field and Other Bullets

kris bryant smileIt’s been a busy week around here, especially by typical Spring Training standards. Today figures to be quite busy, too, so strap in and enjoy the deluge. Let’s start with the Bullets …

  • Kris Bryant is expected to make his Spring debut in left field tonight against the Angels (6:05pm CT) in a game that just so happens to be on ESPN (Tribune). Although Bryant’s medium term defensive home remains to be decided (to say nothing of where he’ll land, say, next year and beyond), he’s on board for adding versatility, and the Cubs have made that an organizational priority. You just never know where it’s going to make the most sense to play Bryant when he comes up for good on the big league team, and you also never know how he might turn out in the outfield. As we’ve discussed, Bryant’s highest and best value to the team would be as an average or better third baseman, but if the choice is average third baseman or fantastic left fielder (which Bryant could be), then the value question is much closer.
  • Although he gave up three runs over five innings, Travis Wood was pleased with his start last night (Cubs.com). Specifically, he felt like he was locating the ball well – which is what I saw, too – and that’s just about the most important thing for Wood’s game. We all saw the primary reason for Wood’s struggles last year. Sure, there was a bit of a velocity dip and a few more walks, but mostly it was an inability to precisely hit spots within the strike zone. Wood will always have to live on the margins, or he’ll get hit.
  • Jon Lester is expected to start in a minor league game today around noon CT, so you can expect to hear word on how he looked soon thereafter. The Cubs are being very cautious with Lester, who was dealing with dead arm.
  • In this Tribune write-up about Kris Bryant’s practice in the outfield, the tip Joe Maddon gave Dexter Fowler to help improve his defense was revealed: start moving a little bit before each pitch, which can help a player track the ball more quickly.
  • You’re really going to enjoy this Cubs preview from Rany Jazayerli at Grantland. Yes, it includes a lot that you already know (it’s written for a broader audience), and yes, it starts with the painfully overplayed ‘Back to the Future II’ stuff. But it’s really well-written, offers a really well-understood take on where the Cubs have been and where they’re going, and is fun.
  • You’re also going to enjoy this read from BN’er Tommy Meyers about the correlations between winning percentage and team OBP and wOBA. The results are what you’d expect, but you can learn a little about meaningful statistical correlations in the process if you don’t know much about that area.
  • Joe Maddon was a bit perturbed about Edwin Jackson’s misadventure on the road this week, and was disappointed the subsequent outing in which Jackson got shellacked (Cubs.com). Having no time to prepare at the ballpark probably didn’t help, but, as we’ve said, Jackson hasn’t earned the benefit of excuses at this point.
  • If you missed it last night, Michael offered thoughts on the updated PECOTA projections, which now have the Cubs at 85 wins – fourth best in the NL.
  • The Quad Cities are now entirely covered for Cubs over-the-air games.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

    Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

    Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns (UPDATE)

    It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

    MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

    Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

    Let’s See How They Measure Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

    Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

    MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

    Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

    For the Second Time in a Few Days, Birthday Boy Nico Hoerner Saved the Game

    A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...

    MLBits: Padres Best the Dodgers, Skenes Debut Reactions, Guardians New Threads, More

    The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...

    David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

    The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

    Cubs Farm Report | May 13, 2024: Homers by Davis, Mervis Not Enough in Iowa on Sunday

    Brennen Davis and Matt Mervis hit home runs on Sunday for the Iowa Cubs, but it wasn't enough to earn the team a victory against the Columbus Clippers. That and more are in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report...

    Latest News

    Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

    Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...

    Red Sox vs. Rays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Boston Red Sox (21-19), who will give the start to Nick Pivetta, host the Tampa Bay Rays (20-21) with Aaron Civale on the mound, Tuesday at 7:10 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Boston-Tampa Bay matchup below.When is...

    How to Watch Brewers vs. Pirates: Live Stream or on TV

    Joe Ross takes the mound for the Milwaukee Brewers (24-16) when they host starting pitcher Quinn Priester and the Pittsburgh Pirates (18-23) at 7:40 PM ET on Tuesday.See how to watch the Milwaukee-Pittsburgh matchup below.When is Brewers vs. Pirates and...

    How to Watch Yankees vs. Twins: Live Stream or on TV

    On Tuesday, Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (27-15) take on Ryan Jeffers and the Minnesota Twins (24-16), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at Target Field.The article below will provide you with everything you need to...

    Braves vs. Cubs: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Chris Sale will take the ball for the Atlanta Braves (24-13) when they host starter Jameson Taillon and the Chicago Cubs (24-17) in a series opener on Tuesday, with first pitch at 7:20 PM ET.See how to watch the Atlanta-Chicago...

    Phillies vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Alec Bohm and the Philadelphia Phillies (28-13) visit Brandon Nimmo and the New York Mets (19-20) at 1:10 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Philadelphia-New York matchup in the article below.When is Phillies vs. Mets...

    Orioles vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Baltimore Orioles (26-13), who will give the ball to Kyle Bradish, host the Toronto Blue Jays (18-22) with Chris Bassitt on the mound, Tuesday at 6:35 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch...

    Tigers vs. Marlins: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday, in a series opener at Comerica Park, Reese Olson starts for the Detroit Tigers (20-20) versus Ryan Weathers and the Miami Marlins (11-31), with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Detroit-Miami matchup...

    How to Watch Twins Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    Target Field is buzzing with anticipation as the Minnesota Twins heat up for the remainder of their 2024 MLB Schedule. We’re here to make sure you don’t miss any of the action. Let’s take a look at the Minnesota Twins'...

    How to Watch Brewers Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    Summer in Milwaukee sizzles with baseball fever, and American Family Field is roaring with the energy of the Brewers faithful! Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Brew Crew or just enjoy catching some local baseball, we’re here with the...

    more cubs news