Chicago Cubs: Projecting the 2021 Opening Day lineup

Chicago Cubs: Look for another strong start from the leadoff man

When healthy and right, Ian Happ is one of the best young players in the game. He can run, he can hit from both sides of the plate, he can hit with power and he’s versatile. He may not have a permanent home defensively, but he will probably remain the Cubs’ primary center fielder for most of 2021.

He’s also just coming into his own on and off the field and blossoming as a leader on a team where he was the young guy on a club with a core group of players just a few years older than him.

Happ got the nod of confidence from Ross in 2020 to lead off and basically ran with it until a freak foul ball to the eye derailed his breakout year. He’s already got his manager’s approval as the guy at the top in 2021, with Ross declaring “Happer” the man to start things off for the Cubs on Opening Day. And really, why wouldn’t he?

Overall, Happ produced a .258/.361/.505 slash line to go along with 12 home runs, 11 doubles, 30 walks and 28 RBI, as well as a down-ballot MVP vote. What that doesn’t take into account, however, is that up until that foul ball on September 3, Happ was slashing .311/.421/.648 with 10 bombs. Oh, and he was most definitely right in the mix for NL MVP at that point. After that point, the Cubs offense basically went downhill fast without a catalyst to start things at the top, and they never really recovered.

Here’s hoping a healthy Happ can set the table and keep the offense happy and happening all season long in 2021. Read on to see who’s going to hit behind him.

Chicago Cubs: One last go-round for Bryzzo?

With rumors swirling and contracts expiring at the end of the season, this very well could be the last time you’ll see Bryzzo take the field on Opening Day.

Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo have been stalwarts in the Opening Day lineup for the Cubs since 2016, and would have been together an extra year in 2015 if not for the contract manipulation with Bryant that took place. Alas, all good things must come to an end, and it’s hard to envision both being on the 2022 Opening Day roster given the fact the Cubs haven’t extended anyone in the core group yet.

Regardless of the contracts and the fact this might be their last merry-go-round, there’s a reason these two guys have been at the top of the lineup for the Cubs quite often over the past six seasons when healthy – they’re really good at getting on base. Bryant, despite his nagging injuries and struggles over the past several seasons, still owns a career OBP of .380, while his counterpart at first base sports a sterling .372 career mark of his own. With their ability to get on base and score runs at the top of the lineup, you can be sure these two will be somewhere in the first four hitters.

After that, you’re going to see a combination of the two right-handed sluggers, Javier Baez and Willson Contreras. Baez, while not the on-base guy that Contreras is, gives the Cubs a presence whenever he gets on base and is always making things happen with his feet and instincts on the bases. Contreras, who may play even more with Victor Caratini shipped off to San Diego in the Yu Darvish deal, is a possible MVP candidate with his prowess at and behind the dish.

Unfortunately, Bryant, Rizzo, and Baez are all free agents after the season, while Contreras has one extra year of control. The Cubs haven’t extended any of them yet, you can be sure the front office is going to get superb years from all if healthy given the fact they’ll be playing for big contracts next offseason.

Chicago Cubs: Questions marks will come from the bottom of the order

If any confusion or questions do exist in terms of projecting an Opening Day lineup in 2021, the consternation will be somewhere in the bottom of the lineup. With two left-handed hitting outfielders who struggle against southpaws and a still-up-in-the-air second base spot to fill, there could be a bit of adaptation and flexibility required down at the bottom of the order.

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Against most pitchers, you’re most definitely going to see the corner outfield positions filled by incumbent Jason Heyward in right field and newcomer Pederson in left. They’ve both experienced periods of great success at the plate while in the big leagues, while also struggling mightily through extended slumps and ongoing issues dealing with left-handed hurlers. So, while you’re going to see them most of the time, there is the possibility you could see a right-handed bat in either field against a tough lefty at times.

At second base, there seems to be some hesitancy to just bring Nico Hoerner as the starter. Many have called for him to start the year in the minors and hone his approach and overall hitting against lesser competition. I, for one, am not in that camp. First of all, he’s the best defensive option we have there, and also the best option at shortstop should Baez need a game or a few innings off.

Secondly, I feel way too much was made of his struggles in 2020 when he consistently hit line drives, worked tough at bats, and played great defense as a 23-year-old who had never even played a full season of Double or Triple-A ball. So, while the starter could be David Bote or Ildemaro Vargas on Opening Day, Hoerner would be my pick.

Chicago Cubs: Let’s hope 2021 sees Ross repeating this

Projected 2021 Chicago Cubs Opening Day Lineup:

• CF- Ian Happ
• 3B- Kris Bryant
• 1B- Anthony Rizzo
• C- Willson Contreras
• SS- Javier Baez
• LF- Joc Pederson
• RF- Jason Heyward
• 2B- Nico Hoerner
• P- Kyle Hendricks