Chicago Cubs: The importance of Ben Zobrist in the Cubs’ lineup

Chicago Cubs’ Ben Zobrist has played a vital role in the teams success this season, playing several positions in doing so. He’s spent the majority of the time at second base but has also spent time in the outfield. He is hitting .282 so far this season which led him to be a starter at the 2016 All-Star game in San Diego in July.

Ben Zobrist was a world series champion last year with the Kansas City Royals, so he knows exactly what it feels like to be there. Well, he is hoping he can be a helping part in getting his Cubs to that point this October.

His experience has been essential in the success of Chicago this season, not just as a player, but as a mentor for the young players on the Cubs. Don’t forget, Zobrist also spent nine seasons in Tampa Bay under manager Joe Maddon, so that could have swayed him towards coming to the windy city in the offseason.

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Although 35 years old, Zobrist has been a key part in the Cubs’ amazing season so far. He’s hit 14 home runs, driven in 64 rbi’s, and has a .387 on-base percentage. He’s also only committed 3 errors all season. That’s right, in 132 games played this season, he as only made 3 errors. Pretty amazing if you ask me.

Maybe it could be the fact that Zobrist gets to play in front of more family on a regular basis, That could be contributing towards his successful season because he feels more at home. He grew up in Eureka, Illinois which isn’t too far from Chicago so he’s stated that a lot of family members come to watch many of his games.

One of Joe’s favorites

He also knows the way Joe Maddon runs a team. Even with Tampa Bay, Maddon was always a fan of small ball. Well, the Cubs’ pretty much tear the cover off the ball but still Maddon does play the small game in close ball games. The fact that Zobrist knows Maddon’s way of thinking since he’s already played for him, has definitely made Ben feel more comfortable and has allowed him to play his game the way he knows.

When he was with Kansas City last season, he hit .289 in 59 games then hit over .300 in the playoffs for the Royals. But the thing about Zobrist that was such a boost to the Royals–and has been to the Cubs’ as well–is the fact that he can play any position. He is very durable in that sense and is a natural born leader. The leadership quality and the production on the field was a huge contribution to the Royals last season, and honestly, without acquiring him towards the end of the 2015 season who knows in Kansas City would have even won the world series.

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Zobrist will play, and has played the same role this season here with the Cubs. He’s played 95 games at second base, 15 in left field, 21 in right field, and 1 at shortstop. He is a great athlete and honestly if they needed him to play third base or first base too, he could do it and succeed.

He’ll be a vital part of the Cubs’ lineup in October baseball on the field and in the clubhouse. Maybe he will be able to lead the Cubs to a world series title in his home state of Illinois.