Chicago Cubs: Why are we not talking more about David Bote?

Since the All-Star Break, David Bote has been one of the best offensive performers on a Chicago Cubs team that’s lacked offensive consistency.

It’s hard to find a better adjective to describe the Chicago Cubs than mediocre. Sure, they entered this week’s series against the San Diego Padres in possession of the second Wild Card spot in the National League – but that’s not saying much.

This is a team that was supposed to be a modern-day dynasty – and they’re anything but at this point. Chicago sits in the middle of the pack with a .761 OPS since the All-Star Break – which ranks ninth among Senior Circuit clubs. In terms of batting average, they’ve outperformed only two teams in the NL – the Padres and the lowly Miami Marlins.

Knowing that, can someone please explain to my why, prior to the Addison Russell injury, guys like Tony Kemp and Russell were getting reps over David Bote, who, by most measures, has been one of the team’s best hitters in the second half?

Bote, who the team rewarded with a five-year contract extension prior to the season, struggled early in the summer. He got on base at a .295 clip in June before cratering in July, putting up a .592 OPS and eventually being optioned to Triple-A Iowa.