Chicago Cubs: These three guys need to have a big spring to have a chance

For some players, Spring Training is merely a precursor to the regular season. But for others, it is a vital proving ground.

The Chicago Cubs – as a team – have quite a lot to prove in 2020. There was tons of talk about roster turnover following the 2019 season, yet budget constraints and general uncertainty made this winter one of the most uneventful offseason periods in recent memory.

Rather than shaking things up, the Cubs will head into Spring Training relying on internal improvements and hoping for a number of journeyman players to revitalize their careers and add invaluable contributions.

Some guys are already in a fight to establish themselves. From non-roster invitees to players on the fringes of the 40-man roster, there are a number of guys that stand to benefit from a strong showing in Mesa.

With that in mind, here are three players in need of a big spring.

Chicago Cubs: Is Garcia in the mix at second base?

The Cubs have their fair share of players locked in around the diamond, but second base still seems up for grabs.

Ian Happ figures to get some time at second, though for now he probably stands a better chance at winning the starting job in center field. David Bote might play a number of positions, though he seems more like a utility guy at this juncture. Nico Hoerner could indeed make the big-league roster after a strong showing last September, but the Cubs rapidly enhanced his development and might prefer him to start the year at Triple-A Iowa.

Northbrook native and former Cleveland Indians stalwart Jason Kipnis has reportedly been added to the mix, though he figures to platoon against right-handed pitchers.

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One name to watch in the race for the job is Robel Garcia.

The 26-year-old looked like he might add some production to the lineup in his early showings, slashing .348/.385/.913 with three homers and six extra-base hits in total. But Garcia’s hot streak quickly tailed off over the rest of July, with his strikeout rate skyrocketing at the end of the month.

Has Garcia made the necessary adjustments in the offseason? If so, he could be a fascinating player for this team.

Garcia had a 43.8 percent strikeout rate in 80 plate appearances last season. However, he also had a hard-hit percentage of 42.1 and a 15.8 barrel percentage, according to Baseball Savant. For someone of his stature, Garcia sure generates a lot of power:

The pop is there, but Garcia will have to show more discipline and a better approach this Spring if he hopes to make the roster come Opening Day.

Chicago Cubs: Morrow’s last stand

Brandon Morrow stands to gain the most from a good showing in Spring Training.

The numbers speak for themselves: when Morrow is healthy, he is capable of being one of the best pitchers in any bullpen.

Morrow is a non-roster invite, and the Cubs will have no problem moving on from the right-hander if he is ineffective. Simultaneously, Morrow could immediately assert himself as a crucial late-game reliever.

The 35-year-old got off to a strong start in 2018, posting 22 saves and a 1.47 ERA before the All-Star break. He has not pitched since, as a number of lat and bicep injuries have resurfaced.

However, Cubs president Theo Epstein admitted the team did not handle Morrow’s situation well and, given the number of changes made to Chicago’s staff, perhaps Morrow enters camp the healthiest he has been since joining the Cubs.

Indeed, Morrow has been cautiously optimistic since reporting, and he is back to throwing bullpen sessions:

This might be Morrow’s last chance to prove he can still pitch in the bigs.

Perhaps his body will get the best of him. But if Morrow can put together some quality innings, he might be another valuable piece in a bullpen flooded with question marks.