Chicago Cubs: Week two spring training report

Stars Begin to Shine

In terms of those players who were already assured roster spots, Kyle Schwarber has started to mash (home runs in back-to-back games) but is still striking out at a high rate. Ian Happ has all but locked up both the starting center field job and will be a prime candidate to at least start the season as a viable leadoff hitting option. He is batting in the neighborhood of .400 with considerable power.

This past week of baseball has also shown us that Kris Bryant (.417/.533) and Anthony Rizzo (.350/.435/.700) are rounding into regular season form. Each is picking their spots as Joe Maddon is managing their playing time. Rizzo has been hammering the baseball through much of the spring. Bryant is showing considerable patience at the plate and, though his power hasn’t yet come, it’s clear his timing is improving.

Even Albert Almora and Addison Russell, who both got off to dreadful starts, have begun to hit. Almora smacked a couple of homers and made the catch of the spring on defense. Russell has started to make solid, consistent contact at the plate as well.