Chicago Cubs: Projecting the team’s top performers in 60-game season

Chicago Cubs: Infielders primed for big numbers in 2020

If 2019 beginning-of-season-stats are any indication, the three core members of the Cubs infield are going to have a very, very productive 60 games. Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Kris Bryant all shot out of the gates in 2019 and all have a proven track record of success.

With Bryant at the top of the lineup, Rizzo right behind him, and Baez probably trailing Rizzo in the three hole, the Cubs, as a whole, will go as their infielders go. Expect each to put up numbers similar to their career norms, with Rizzo and Bryant losing a few ticks from RBI total due to moving up in the order.

Each of those three players should put up double digit home runs and approach 25 RBI in this shortened season, with the ability to push toward 15 dingers and 30 RBI if the offense is in top form.

As for the fourth cog in the infield whee l- it will depend on who wins the job and how much the Cubs decide they want Nico Hoerner out there from the start. With no minor league season, it makes no sense to hold him back at all- especially when every game matters this much more in 2020.

Hoerner is the best option the Cubs have to play second base and hit from that spot on a regular basis, so I went forward with the idea that Hoerner and Bote would be there for the most part (with Bote maybe getting some time at third base as well to spell Bryant, with Hoerner moving over to spell Baez).

Granted, guys won’t need as much of a rest in a shortened season, but keeping guys fresh and making sure to cycle through the DH spot is another concern NL clubs will have this season.

• Anthony Rizzo – .285/.385/.520, 10 home runs, 30 RBI
• Nico Hoerner – .278/.330/.430, 5 home runs, 20 RBI
• David Bote – .270/.328/.435, 4 home runs, 15 RBI
• Javier Baez -.302/.334/.521, 14 home runs, 37 RBI
• Kris Bryant – .290/.405/.500, 12 home runs, 26 RBI