Chicago Cubs: Giving the players their final letter grades

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Cubs
(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: It was kind of a roller coaster in the outfield this year.

Kyle Schwarber: B+

Give this man some credit, he went on a tear in the final months of the season. In the second half alone he slashed .280/.366/.631 with 20 homers, 151 wRC+ and .997 OPS. Finishing just a few homers shy of 40, we got the glimpses of the Schwarber we expected in 2015 and beyond.

Jason Heyward: B

Despite the horrific slump when he was slotted into the leadoff spot mid-season, J-Hey had his most productive year as a Cub. Eclipsing 20 homers for only the second him in his career, we saw multiple stretches of the Heyward that played in Atlanta and St. Louis. Defense still Gold Glove caliber.

Nicholas Castellanos: A+

One of the best in-season acquisitions the Cubs have ever had. 16 homers, 21 doubles and 1.002 OPS in 51 games as a Cub is pretty dang good. The man was a spark of great energy and was key in a number of victories. It is a shame his heroics were all for naught. Cannot say enough about him.

Albert Almora: F

He is probably the most disappointing position player on the team this season. The bat was well below average and even his defense regressed a bit. A very likable guy but this was a rough season. The robbery of Yadier Molina was awesome…as was scoring the go-ahead run in 2016.

Ian Happ: C+/B-

Kind of a hard one to tackle. Happ finished the season very strong and put up a respectable .264/.333/.564 slash in 58 games. Give him credit, but it kind of feels like he got hot when the games did not matter.