Chicago Cubs: New leadoff man Kyle Schwarber embracing the challenge

Kyle Schwarber is slated to be the Chicago Cubs’ leadoff man to open the season. Yet, he’s not a prototypical leadoff hitter. Still, he says he’s ready.

More often than not, a leadoff hitter brings speed to the table. This allows managers to wreak havoc and cause issues on the basepaths ahead of the big boppers. But Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon has different ideas for his team in 2017.

Kyle Schwarber, who missed virtually the entire 2016 campaign after sustaining a devastating knee injury, will open this year at the top of the lineup card. A stocky, albeit powerful offensive player, he says he’s ready to embrace the challenge of setting the tone.

“That’s kind of that job of the leadoff hitter,” Schwarber told ESPN Chicago. “Show what this guy’s got. If you can make him break out a couple pitches that he didn’t want to bring out, it can be helpful. It can give guys an early look on video or you can just go back and tell the guys what he’s got.”

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In eight Cactus League games this spring, Schwarber owns a .385 on-base percentage. Over the course of his injury-shortened career (some 71 games), that number clocks in at .353. Neither of these figures are poor by any stretch. But, consider last season, Dexter Fowler put up a robust .393 mark over the course of the season as the Cubs’ leadoff hitter.

‘Selective aggressive’ at the dish

How Fowler and Schwarber play their respective games are quite different. One focuses on power and driving the ball while the other has the potential to be a 20-steal player on an annual basis. While they admittedly have differences, it’s the common denominator that matters most: healthy on-base percentages.

“I view myself or call myself as “selective aggressive.” I mean, I’m selective, but when I get my pitch I’m going to swing. It’s not like it’s in my head to take, take, take. I want to be ready to hit, but if it’s not the pitch I want then I’ll take it. There will be some times where I take a pitch, but most of the time it’s being selectively aggressive — I’ll find that balance.”

In other words, if you think you’re going to lay one in there to get off to a good start as an opposing pitcher, Schwarber may very well just take you deep. His above-average power allows him to make other teams approach him differently than they might someone like Fowler.

Following him in the Chicago order will likely be some combination of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell. Ben Zobrist saw a decent number of at-bats in the middle of the order last year, as well – so depending on the day, he may also find himself in the heart of the order.

Pieces falling into place

Schwarber’s postseason heroics from last season are etched into the minds of Cubs’ fans across the world. After returning from his injury to play spoiler in the World Series, the former first-round pick is ready to excel in his first full big league season.

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“We still have [several] weeks, but I feel like I’m getting better and better every time I step up to the plate. My eyes are getting there. I’m working on deep counts and stuff like that. I think it’s going to come. Hopefully that last week of spring it feels like it’s all coming together.”

This lineup may be even more potent than last year’s World Series champion team if Schwarber brings a full season of quality at-bats out of the leadoff spot. And, who knows, maybe he’ll maintain his 30-homer power potential at the same time.