Chicago Cubs: Offense needs more production out of the leadoff spot

Once again, the Kyle Schwarber leadoff experiment is falling short of expectations, leaving a huge void atop the Chicago Cubs struggling lineup.

In recent weeks, the Chicago Cubs saw their hold on first place slip away, due at least in part to an inability to come through with runners in scoring position. Granted, there have been other issues, including a shorthanded, overworked bullpen and a starting rotation that’s looked its age – and not in a good way.

One of the team’s biggest culprits when it comes to hitting with men on is leadoff man Kyle Schwarber. But his struggles run much deeper than coming through in the clutch – something we’ve seen from him more often than anyone would like in his first few big league seasons.

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On the season, the former first-round pick carries a disappointing .217/.329/.429 slash line. Now, obviously, the Cubs, like most organizations today, place a far greater emphasis on OBP than batting average these days. But seeing your leadoff hitter batting under the Mendoza Line is still something that should concern the decision makers in the front office.

When Schwarber was getting on at a clip north of .350, it was far easier to look the other way in terms of his average. But he’s barely above the league average of .320 at this point – and with the offense struggling of late, the leash seems likely to get shorter sooner rather than later.

Over his last 15 games, things have really gotten out of hand for Schwarber. He’s gotten on at a measly .306 mark and is barely hitting over .200. The lone bright spot? He’s slugged five of his 10 long-balls in the last two weeks.

On the year out of the leadoff spot, Schwarber is hitting .189 with a sub-.800 OPS. That’s not to say Schwarber doesn’t add something to the Cubs’ lineup. The simple truth, at least in my mind, is that this guy isn’t a leadoff hitter.

I’m not saying he can’t work counts and see pitches – because he can and does. But I’d rather have him looking to punish pitches than set the table given his abilities.

Schwarber ranks in the top three percent of all Major League hitters in hard-hit percentage this season, the top five percent in average exit velocity and the top eight percent in walk rate (which undoubtedly plays a role in Joe Maddon‘s decision to put him atop the lineup).

Simply put, as much as Maddon might want Kyle Schwarber to be an atypical leadoff man, we’ve now seen him fall short of expectations in this role on multiple occasions. It’s time to quit forcing a square peg into a round hole and find a better solution to the question of leadoff man in this Cubs lineup.