Chicago Cubs: Top five surprises of the season’s first month

Apr 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop

(13) is congratulated for hitting a walk-off single during the eleventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Chicago won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Almost a full-month into the 2015 season, the Chicago Cubs sit at 12-8, just one game back of the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. Jake Arrieta has been every bit as good as he was last year in his first full season in Chicago and the offense has been bolstered by the combination of Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant.

The young club has blossomed under the guidance and teachings of first-year Cubs’ skipper Joe Maddon, who has brought disco parties and life to the Chicago clubhouse, while leading the team in battle every night.

So with the first month almost in the books, what is the biggest surprise for Chicago Cubs’ fans? Is it Jon Lester‘s struggles or the emergence of Kris Bryant? What about the call-up of Addison Russell?

Next: 5) Addison Russell promoted in mid-April

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

5) Russell earns earlier-than-expected call-up

It was widely-anticipated that infield prospect Addison Russell would get his first taste of big-league action at some point during the 2015 season. Most had that call-up coming toward the middle of the season or perhaps even after the All-Star Break in mid-July.

However, on April 21, Russell joined the big league club in Pittsburgh, going 0-for-5 with three punchouts in an exciting 9-8 Cubs win in which the visitors tallied three runs in the ninth off Pittsburgh closer Mark Melancon.

Since then, Russell has appeared in half-a-dozen games, limping out of the gates to a .160/.160/.240 slash-line in 25 plate appearances. In those roughly two-dozen trips to the plate, the 21-year-old middle infielder has not drawn a walk, while striking out 13 times.

With the success that Kris Bryant had immediately in Chicago, the expectations are sky-high for Russell. With no other viable option in the short-term, expect to see Maddon keep trotting out Russell for the time being, even with his offensive struggles.

Next: 4) Starlin Castro proving he's the real deal

Apr 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro (13) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

4) Starlin Castro is finally getting recognized

After spending his first five professional seasons on losing teams in Chicago, Starlin Castro is finally on a winning ball club – and it’s paying dividends for the 25-year-old shortstop.

Castro enters May batting .325/.349/.410 with 27 hits and a dozen runs batted in for a Cubs team that is in the thick of the playoff race early on in the 2015 season.  He, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo have teamed up to form one of the most formidable heart-of-the-orders Chicago has seen in recent years – and he’s also flashed the leather on multiple occasions.

With the Cubs winning, fans are starting to get onboard the Castro bandwagon. Sure, he has three All-Star selections in his first five seasons, but apparently that’s not enough to win over Cubs nation. Winning, however, is.

Next: 3) Cubs drop just one series in month of April

Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

3) In entire month, Cubs lost just one series

Finishing the month of April with a very respectable 12-8 record, the Cubs showed not only their fans – but all of Major League Baseball – that they are, indeed, for real.

The division-rival St. Louis Cardinals are still widely considered the front-runners in the National League Central, as they well should be given the Redbirds have won the division in each of the past two seasons. That being said, the kids and Joe Maddon are turning some heads.

This year, Chicago has an impressive 4-1 mark against the Reds and an above-.500 mark against the Pirates at 4-3. In just two games against St. Louis, the Cubs have split at 1-1; but given the fact those three teams are easily in the top portion of the Central, an accumulated 9-5 mark is something to turn some heads.

The only series loss in the month of April came at home against the San Diego Padres. The series very easily could have been a sweep for either club, but it was the new-look Padres that took down the Cubs.

No matter how you look at it, one series loss in an entire month is good for any team – especially one coming off an 89-loss campaign.

Next: 2) Kris Bryant barely missed a beat after call-up

Apr 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

1) Jon Lester still winless as a Chicago Cub

Here we are heading into the month of May and just the same as it was on Opening Night, Jon Lester is still winless as a National League pitcher.

With four starts under his belt, the veteran southpaw is 0-2 with a 6.23 earned run average. In the 21 2/3 innings he’s pitched, Lester has struck out 24 and walked just five – but opponents are batting a red-hot .322 against him.

The bad news? Chicago is paying Jon Lester $155 million over the next six years and, to-date, he has not pitched like an ace. The good news? Even with Lester being ineffective for the first month of the season, the Cubs are four games above .500.

His struggles won’t continue and once he rights the ship and acclimates to the National League, Lester and right-hander Jake Arrieta will be one of the most devastating one-two punches in all of Major League Baseball.