Chicago Cubs: A look at who’s hot and who’s not right now

There’s always a question of how much stock should be put into spring training statistics. Depending on how well or poor a player is performing, it’s up in the air as to whether or not it carries into the regular season. Currently, Cubs have a 7-3 record and a mix of players who are hot, and who are not.

To some, statistics in spring training mean nothing. That’s because they don’t, especially not to a player with a guaranteed starting spot. However, spring performances do matter when it comes to players fighting for a roster spot or competing for a starting position.

Cubs: A few starting second base candidates have impressed in spring training.

The Cubs currently have no clear-cut starter at second base. Leading the way at the moment is Nico Hoerner, but not far behind him is Ildemaro Vargas.

Last season, a lack of spring training preparation and a shortened season seemed to affect Hoerner. The 23-year old slashed  .222/.312/.259 in 48 games after putting up a line of .282/.305/.436 in 20 games during the 2019 season.

It looks like Hoerner is back on track this spring, posting a .563/.588/.938 line with one home run and four RBI in 16 at-bats. Hoerner has yet to strike out in a spring training game.

Vargas is looking to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 29-year old was claimed off waivers by the Cubs last September after splitting time with the Twins and Diamondbacks. In just nine plate appearances with the Cubs in 2020, Vargas had two hits, one of which included a solo home run. Through 18 at-bats this spring, Vargas is slashing .444/.474/.556 with three RBI.

Other options to start at second base this season are David Bote and Eric Sogard.

Bote is a position where he will be kept as a reserve if he doesn’t earn the starting spot. Currently, Bote has a line of .188/.316/.375 with zero home runs and one RBI in 16 at-bats.

Sogard was invited to camp on a minor-league deal last week. The veteran infielder has spent ten seasons in the big leagues and can play around the entire infield. Sogard has just five plate appearances so far and recorded one hit and one strikeout. Even with his experience, Sogard will need an impressive camp to beat out the other infielders for a roster spot.

After a rough start to his 2020 season, Cubs reliever Craig Kimbrel turned into one of the best bullpen arms in the league. Manager David Ross has already stated Kimbrel would be the team’s closer to begin the season, but things haven’t been good so far this spring.

In three appearances, Kimbrel has thrown 2.2 innings while allowing seven hits and nine earned runs while walking one and striking out two batters.

Meanwhile the competition for the Cubs starting rotation is beginning to heat up. Aside from Kyle Hendricks, Zach Davies, and Jake Arrieta, the final two spots in the rotation are up for grabs.

Of those three pitchers, Davies has looked the best so far. The right-hander has yet to allow an earned run through five innings in his two starts in which he has walked two and struck out two batters.

Arrieta has thrown 5.1 innings through two starts and pitched to a 3.38 ERA while allowing five hits, four walks, and two strikeouts.

The team’s ace, Hendricks, has thrown five innings in his two starts, allowing four earned runs on eight hits. Hendricks has also struck out seven batters while walking one.

Which of the following pitchers will round out the Cubs starting rotation?

There is also the possibility Ross uses a six-man rotation, so one of the following candidates can earn a spot.

Cubs Starting Pitchers (Spring Statistics)

• Trevor Williams (2 games): 1.80 ERA 5 IP 6 SO 1 BB
• Shelby Miller (3 games): 1.80 ERA 5 IP 5 SO 2 BB
• Alec Mills (2 games) 2.08 ERA 4.1 IP 2 SO 2 BB
• Adbert Alzolay (2 games) 19.29 ERA 2.1 IP 2 BB 1 SO

I think it’s still too early to label any of these pitchers based on the handful of games they’ve appeared in thus far. We’ll get a larger sample size in the next few weeks to determine where Cubs pitching stands heading into the regular season.