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

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.