3 reasons to remain optimistic about Chicago Cubs baseball

Chicago Cubs: Reasons to remain optimistic – #3: There are guys performing well

It’s not all bad in Chicago right now. Clearly, the standings suggest otherwise, but there is a lot to still tune in for every night. A certain optimism can be found when looking at the new players on the Chicago Cubs roster. Specifically Rafael Ortega, Patrick Wisdom and Justin Steele, to name a few.

Ortega is batting .331 in 145 at-bats over the course of 59 ball games that he has appeared in. That is no longer a small sample size. For perspective, considering Ortega’s 48 hits on the season entering action Thursday, it would take him an 0-for-47 cold streak to drop to .250, which is still above the current league average of .242.

Wisdom is averaging a home run in a little less than every ten ABs. Steele figures to slide into the rotation nicely, should he continue to see the same success as he did against Milwaukee on August 10. It’s all about the little things now if you’re a Cubs fan. Chicago is definitely no longer a postseason-caliber team at this point in the season. That’s OK, though. It is now important to identify what strengths the team does still have and at least root for the ones who have a bright future ahead of them anyway.

Not only are there certain players exceeding expectations on the big league roster, there is a plethora of prospects throughout the farm system who are turning the corner and showing true signs of potential. Brennen Davis is on a tear in Double-A Tennessee. Alexander Canario has homered in four straight games, driving in eight runs in the process. Those are just a couple examples. There is a great deal to be excited about in the Cubs farm system right now.