Chicago Cubs: Examining the team’s options in the leadoff spot

One of the best on-base presences in baseball

The proud owner of a .358 career on-base percentage, Ben Zobrist is one of the most logical choices to lead things off for the Cubs on a day-in, day-out basis.

There are few players in the game who know how to work a count like the Chicago veteran utiltyman. Last year, his first with the Cubs, Zobrist appeared in 147 games all over the diamond. His defensive versatility also contributes to why he could make a good leadoff man. Maddon can mix and match with Zo and largely keep the same pieces on the field, just in different positions.

In those nearly-150 games, the Illinois native finished with the second-highest OBP of his big-league career. His professional, calm approach emanated throughout the Chicago lineup all season long – ultimately paying dividends with the game-winning knock in Game 7 of the World Series.

You can play him at a minimum of four different positions and he knows how to work a count. Despite his early struggles in 2017, it’s not hard to understand why people are so high on him setting the table for this powerful Cubs’ offense.