Chicago Cubs: Three unexpected designated hitters candidates

Among the new rules for the Chicago Cubs and shortened Major League Baseball season include a designated hitter in the National League.

The rule helps a team like the Chicago Cubs who have some offensive depth to choose from. The prominent names on the roster are Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras. A guy like Steven Souza with injury problems, but power is another option. Jason Kipnis signed as a free agent in the off-season, and maybe having him focus on just offense is one way to unlock some of his old offensive skill, perhaps?

Maybe new manager David Ross will follow in old manager Joe Maddon’s footsteps and be unconventional in filling out the designated hitter spot. Will it be a rotating spot, or will he have an actual designated hitter?

Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ

Placing Ian Happ as the designated hitter removes a lot of versatility on the field, as he can play all three outfield spots, and chip in at first base, second base, and has stepped in at third base where needed as well. Happ has the power and patience of a designated hitter, smashing 24 home runs his rookie year, as well as a career 112 wRC+. He walks 12 percent of the time, which is considered above average to excellent, by Fangraphs’ rankings.

Happ was primed for his best season yet, after seemingly figuring out his contact issues in 2019, chopping his strikeout rate down to just 25 percent.

Conventional wisdom says that Happ’s athleticism will be used on the field, and he’ll move around at multiple positions. He played both infield and outfield at the University of Cincinnati, and the 2nd base competition is wide open, don’t be surprised to see Happ try and seize that spot.

If one of the players mentioned above takes over the DH spot, Happ can slide in and play that spot full-time. With everybody’s status for the season up in the air due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Happ’s versatility will be utilized even more in a shortened season. There may be more days off for regulars, which teams can afford to do with the bigger rosters for 60 games.

Chicago Cubs’ David Bote

David Bote has been a bit of an up-and-down performer during his time as a big leaguer, but he took a step forward in 2019 with a 106 wRC+ and an increased walk rate up over 12 percent. Bote has come up in the clutch multiple times already in his short career, most notable was the walk-off grand slam against the Washington Nationals in 2018. Other moments include walking off the Diamondbacks, hitting a game-tying home run against Arizona, hitting a walk-off home run against the Reds, and the list goes on.

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Bote is a player that loves the big moment, and he comes through a lot of the time. You find a place for that in a lineup, regardless of how much they struggle or how bad the slumps are. Bote has gotten better both years since being called up to the big leagues, and like Happ, he was another guy that could have been primed for a breakout year in 2020.

However, Bote has three young children at home, and he may opt to sit out the season to keep his family healthy. Nobody knows who will sit and who won’t at this point, and it’s something to watch leading up to the season. The fact that all the players made their way to Chicago for camp indeed leads you to believe they would all play.

Bote is a lot like Happ in terms of versatility, he saw time at second, third, shortstop, and in the outfield last year. Bote has also played a touch of first base in his career. He may not be as necessary in the field during the shortened year because of Nico Hoerner, and players like Hernan Perez, along with Kipnis.

If Ross still wants to get Bote out there with his bat, then the DH role may be his best fit, but that’s why Ross is the manager, and we are just fans who cheer the team on. His power is budding as well, and if it keeps growing, then he will be an even more useful weapon for the team, whether as a starter or off the bench.

I don’t think Bote being the DH would be completely unexpected, but he’s just not the first name people would think of. He has built a track record with his bat, and the Cubs should be doing everything they can to try and get in the lineup daily.