Chicago Cubs: Analyzing the team and the 'little things'

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Steven Souza Jr – Chicago Cubs (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

More Chicago Cubs grades. Look, I know. I get it. But we’ll go with it because we’ve had some progress on it. No, really!

Really, we’ve had some progress on the Chicago Cubs. Honestly. And it’s not what you expected. The ‘fringe’ guys have had some luck, and they’re hot. Now, when they play again? Who knows. Two weeks, minimum. But that’s not to say it can’t go further than that.

With that, no baseball. But it doesn’t mean we can’t grade them out. Players. Coaches. And the ‘little things.’ Hmm? What’s that? Stay tuned.

So the players–outside players–are hot. Except for Javier Baez, whose all world, it’s the facade players that are carrying the weight. Guys like Ian Happ, Ian Miller and more. It’s pretty awesome to see them carrying these guys.

And again, I don’t know if they’ll keep it up. No clue. But I like it—a lot. Nico Hoerner is doing an excellent job at shortstop. David Bote is hitting the ball. It’s all going swimmingly. Now, to sustain it. If just one or two guys can keep it up? Good for them. Let’s see where there at as far as numbers.

Nico Hoerner – Chicago Cubs (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: The ‘new’ guys taking charge of things

I got to say, these guys are good–relatively speaking. Happ has a slash of .481/.500/.815
with an OPS of1.315. He also has two home runs, three doubles and 11 RBI. Miller has 13 hits in 34 at-bats, plus eight stolen bases. Miller signed from the Minnesota Twins to a minor-league deal. David Ross should be intrigued by him as the 26th man. He’s a burner, and it shows.

P.J. Higgins is having a great spring. He’s slashed a combined 320/.469/.600 with an OPS of 1.069 with seven RBI, and he’s patient with seven walks. He started in 2015 with the Chicago Cubs, and it’s been a long road for Higgins. But he’s close to making the roster, and the 26th man what’s tugging at him.

One name we need to look at is Trent Giambrone. Giambrone has 12 RBI and a .458 in 15 games played. He’s got a .500 OBP and an OPS of 1.125. He hasn’t been anywhere near that level, but hopefully, he’s ‘getting’ it. Giambrone needs to ‘shake it off,’ so to speak. He needs to focus on that 25th spot. To be honest? He’s got a chance to lock it up, especially with the player changes they’ll have.

Okay. Let’s be honest. Daniel Descalso has not been very good. He has four hits in 25 at-bats, and no XBH (extra-base hits.) Descalso has literally been awful. To the point, he’s probably going to get released from his two-year contract.

Kyle Hendricks – Chicago Cubs (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Hendricks sticking to the plan

The Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks is adhering to the plan. In three starts, he’s allowed just one run on four hits. He’s allowed a WHIP of 0.444. Needless to say, almost perfect. And he’s allowed an Opponent Quality of 8.5 (Triple-A or higher.) For Ross, it’s not business as usual as he needs to get away from that sort of thinking.

Tyler Chatwood has been stellar this season. In 9 2/3, he’s allowed six hits and two runs. Also, he’s limited opponents to a K/9 of 10.2. Very impressive, indeed. He’s getting back his curveball, which is absolutely nasty. All he’s got to do is control the fastball, and all is well.

What I really want to focus on here is Alec Mills. In 10 2/3 innings, he’s allowed just four hits and one run for an 0.656 WHIP. He’s not that guy who strikes guys out (K/9 of 6.8.) He gets guys out by forcing ground balls and flyouts. That’s the player you want in the starting rotation.

The other is Rex Coleman Brothers. Brothers has a K/9 of 15.4. Pretty impressive, although he averages an Opponent Quality of 6.9 (Double-A.) Still, he’s a pitcher to keep an eye on when we get back to baseball.

David Bote – Chicago Cubs (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: So what’s the next step?

Two weeks. And that’s a ‘flexible’ two weeks. To be honest, I see it being a month or more. I don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news. I just call it how I see it. So how do the Cubs keep up? Well, that the rub.

They could ‘scrimmage.’ But to be honest, I don’t know if they’d go for it. They can face ‘live’ pitching. Or they can stay in the ‘city’ and face off against the team–even though they were released from it.

And the ‘little things?’ Ross. He’s proven to be a capable manager. Anthony Rizzo or Kris Bryant won’t swing him. No, sir. He’s all business.

Next. Why Schwarber will be an All-Star. dark

Either way, the Cubs are hardpressed to make anything happen. Guess that’s why you never take a break from spring training.

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Chicago Cubs: Analyzing the team and the ‘little things’

More Chicago Cubs grades. Look, I know. I get it. But we’ll go with it because we’ve had some progress on it. No, really!

Chicago Cubs: The ‘new’ guys taking charge of things

Chicago Cubs: Hendricks sticking to the plan

Chicago Cubs: So what’s the next step?

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