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

Chicago Cubs: Getting hot at the right time

In August, though, he turned it up a notch – well, several notches, really, hitting .435/.594/.565 in 32 plate appearances. He’s continued that early in September – but the return of Ben Zobrist has made it harder for Joe Maddon to find consistent reps for Bote.

With Javier Baez and Addison Russell both sidelined currently, one might think Bote would see more action – and he might, but it’s near-impossible to envision a scenario where he plays every day. Zobrist will be in there pretty much daily for the rest of the year, likely receiving most of the reps at second base.

The team promoted highly-touted infield prospect Nico Hoerner on Monday – and he’s expected to hold down shortstop in the absence of Baez and Russell. The biggest wild card for Bote and his playing time has to be third baseman Kris Bryant, who continues to battle through a lingering knee issue.

Battle is putting a very positive spin on what Bryant’s been doing on the field. It’s like hopping into a time machine and cranking it to last summer, when the former MVP played through a shoulder injury, looking like a hollow shell of his former self. Different year, same story.

Chicago Cubs: Doing all he can to get in the lineup

After being sidelined with the injury in July, Bryant returned to the lineup and has developed some troubling trends – striking out in nearly one-third of his at-bats and slashing a far-from-ideal .226/.307/.372 since July 26.

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Meanwhile, during that same stretch, Bote has been lights-out. In the last month (which has constituted all of 11 games for the former 18th-round pick), Bote boasts a 1.361 OPS. He’s struck out five times in 23 plate appearances – also drawing five walks.

Last season, everyone bought in with Bote given his proclivity for big hits in big moments. But this year, on the whole, he’s been better than he was as a rookie – posting a 106 OPS+ as opposed to a 92 OPS+ a year ago.

Heading into Monday night’s series opener in San Diego, Bote carried career-highs in virtually every offensive category and has been swinging a hot stick at a time where half of the lineup is missing in action.

Despite all that, it looks like a trip to the IL for Bryant might be Bote’s only chance at regular playing time. Right now, he’s a bench guy – and little more – for a team staring at offense in the eyes and refusing to give him regular reps.