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

(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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.

(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

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.

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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.

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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.

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