Chicago Cubs: Jason Heyward remains a key to this team’s future

Chicago Cubs: A tumultuous showing in 2018

After going 3-for-10 in the first series of the year in Miami, Heyward cooled off in a big way, hitting .239 in the month of April. But in both May and June, he heated up as temperatures rose in Chicago, giving cause for real optimism.

The main issue, if you’d like to find one, from those two months? He lacked any real power. He hit just two long-balls and slugged below .400 in all but one full month. June stood out as his best single month. He put up an .874 OPS, hit three home runs and slugged .510 – by far the best mark he’s put up recently.

With the glove, he did what he always does. Heyward is undoubtedly one of the best right fielders in all of Major League Baseball. He reads balls well off the bat, has one of the better arms in the league and his reputation clearly precedes him on a daily basis.

Because of injury, Heyward made just 33 plate appearances and he his just .242. He was a non-factor in the Wild Card game, going hitless in three at-bats. So what can/should we expect heading into 2019?