Although I’m excited to see the Cubs top prospect – well, depending on whom you ask – Nico Hoerner in the lineup today, but I do wish he was also playing the field. Hoerner’s ability to stick at shortstop is almost as as unknown as the upside in his bat.
Sometimes, it sure seems like he might be able to reach both ceilings (a power bat capable of covering short for long periods of time), but sometimes, it seems like he’s destined to be a more middling offensive force from second base. That’s a pretty big difference in possible outcomes – both of which would still be swell! – so he’ll be someone we follow closely this year.
Ian Happ is also drawing another start today, but it’s once again in the outfield. It seems as though his starts at second base are slowing and I wonder if that has to do with his defensive play there, Albert Almora’s offensive play in center field, or the Cubs need to work Daniel Descalso, Ben Zobrist, and David Bote, at times, in at second base. I guess it’s probably a bit of everything, but I did expect to see more of him in the infield, given everything we heard at the outset of camp. So far I believe he’s gotten two starts at second base and had one other game where he slid over after initially starting in center.
Jon Lester is on the bump today and he’ll be pitching against the Colorado Rockies – well, some of them (no Nolan Arenado today) – at Sloan Park. Go Cubs.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (8-5) vs. Colorado Rockies (3-7) – Thursday, March 7th at 2:05 CT, Audio on MLB.com
Starting Pitchers
Rockies: (R): Antonio Senzatela
versus
Cubs: (L): Jon Lester
Colorado Rockies:
- Charlie Blackmon, RF
- Ian Desmond, CF
- David Dahl, LF
- Mark Reynolds, 1B
- Chris Iannetta, DH
- Pat Valaika, 3B
- Ryan McMahon, 2B
- Tom Murphy, C
- Garrett Hampson, SS
Chicago Cubs:
- Ian Happ, CF
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Victor Caratini, 1B
- Nico Hoerner, DH