The first week of exhibition games may not have provided the amount of wins some fans and media were expecting from the Cubs. There have been several very good performances by the players Joe Maddon will depend on to win games when the season starts.
Kris Bryant launched his first home run of the spring Tuesday. Bryant collected two hits and drove in two of the Cubs three runs.
Kyle Schwarber said he wanted to improve against left-handed pitching this season. While it was only Spring Training, two hits off Clayton Kershaw is a good start. Willson Contreras has been impressive behind the plate this spring. And Miguel Montero has gotten off to a good start at the plate.
Addison Russell has created quite the buzz over the first two weeks of Cubs’ camp. Russell has hit two really long homers.
And here is Russell’s first longball of the spring.
Javier Baez has started games at three different positions already as the Cubs try to mold him into a super utility player. Baez was at short on Tuesday. And he’s started games at center field and first base. The Cubs have played only seven games. Reports have suggested Baez will see time at seven different positions before the exhibition season ends.
Jason Heyward smacked his first home run of the spring on Monday and turned in a web gem against the Diamondbacks on Sunday.
David Ross, or Grandpa Rossy, has made two of the best defensive plays of the spring. And he’s off to a good start at the plate in what is his last Spring Training. Ross is 3-for-6 and the three hits are two doubles and the home run he hit Tuesday.
On the mound, Kyle Hendricks has been very good both times out. And Jason Hammel was effective Monday after walking the first batter he faced.
Hector Rondon, Clayton Richard, Trevor Cahill and Stephen Fife had good outings over the first week of games.
The next three days will see Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester and John Lackey make their spring debuts as the three starters begin their Cactus League tune-up for the regular season.