Chicago Cubs: Five players poised for a big 2017 season

Kyle Schwarber – OF, C

Kyle Schwarber played in just two games before going down with a horrific knee injury that appeared to end his year. Against all odds, Schwarber returned to the Cubs lineup for the World Series after being cleared to hit. In five games he batted .412 with two RBIs–but his hit to start the 10th inning might have been his biggest of the year.

There is so much untapped–or unknown–potential with Schwarber. He’s played in just 71 regular season games. He played in 14 postseason games, setting the Cubs postseason record in 2015. Last year, he wasn’t even supposed to be there. It just highlights the young man’s ability to hit Major League pitching–after missing an entire season.

This year, left field will once again be his. He’s a little wiser in understanding the routes to take, and still carries that same stick he has for the past two seasons. The perception that the Cubs don’t really have a place for him because he “isn’t a good catcher or outfielder” is, well, asinine. When someone hits like Schwarber does, you find a place for him.