Spring Training Miscellany: Atop the Order, Yu Faces Cubs, Buddy Pics, Eyes, and More

I didn’t expect to get some actual, meaningful, long-impacting news today, but there it was: Kris Bryant will get a healthy look as the Cubs’ new leadoff hitter this year. He offered to do it, David Ross wanted him to do it, and it’s happening. And I am all about it.

I also like that Ross is already planning on this being a set thing, with a long leash:

Ross said it's important to ride it out with KB at top, even if it starts slow:

"This is a commitment on his part. It's really easy to change the lineup in my seat, but I think that screams panic when you start to change all that. This is one of the best players in baseball."

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020

Ross, on Bryant batting 1st:

"I would hate to be on the other side and look at that big boy step in the box to lead things off, and what he can do, his mindset in the box, the way he grinds at-bats."

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020

“When you talk about putting the best players in baseball at the top of the order, that’s our best player and I want to put him at the top,” Cubs manager David Ross said of putting Kris Bryant in the leadoff spot. "I'm super excited about it.”https://t.co/qI3bNzZ2xV

— Sun-Times Sports (@suntimes_sports) February 19, 2020

Other bits from Cubs camp today …

Yu Darvish throwing live BP to Kris Bryant and Jason Heyward:

Darvish vs. Bryant to start live BP pic.twitter.com/tgR7PqPEtE

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 19, 2020

Yu vs. Heyward in live BP. pic.twitter.com/gwTXLzFUVf

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020

And then Darvish immediately wanted to see the data:

Darvish examines his live BP pitch data before heading inside. pic.twitter.com/0XQ8xWK3U5

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020

Jason Kipnis, gamer:

Leftover from yesterday, from Clev Pres Chris Antonetti on @TheJK_Kid : "I have yet to see him not run a ground ball out. Back to the pitcher, over to second base, he's literally run every ball out that I can possibly remember. A great gamer. The fans will appreciate him."

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 19, 2020

Pee-ple let me tell ya bout my beeesssst friend:

Promise you will be responsible with this content. pic.twitter.com/cCO5bRPMAQ

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 19, 2020

Agreed:

https://twitter.com/Michael_Cerami/status/1230205209940500482

More goofy Rizzo:

Wow. Making @JLester34 visibly laugh should be worth an MVP award or at least a grapefruit White Claw. Cheers to you, @ARizzo44. pic.twitter.com/X61CcwrNXf

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 19, 2020

Lou Piniella – who’ll be a contributor on Marquee – stopped by Cubs camp today, and he’s looking great:

So good to see Sweet Lou back! @WatchMarquee @Cubs pic.twitter.com/Yv25Qfhqvh

— Rick Sutcliffe (@Sut_ESPN) February 19, 2020

It’s true:

Mike Napoli's beard has really been stealing the spotlight from Adbert Alzolay's hair this spring. pic.twitter.com/Vz0qlhJhPX

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020

El Mago:

Javy, man of the people. pic.twitter.com/zfJLPbIAm2

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020

Cubs nailed this one:

https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1230205875597410304

Ben Taylor won picture day:

If we judge by picture day, Ben Taylor's mustache must make the Cubs roster.

(If you missed his signing: https://t.co/BImEdmd0c1) pic.twitter.com/qjhf4fTQLZ

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 20, 2020

Although I do like Kris Bryant’s glamour shots look at his light blue glove: