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Looking back at the last 10 years of Cubs spring training standouts

Dan O'Keefe|
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs in action against the New York Mets during game one of the 2015 MLB National League Championship Series at Citi Field on October 17, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Cubs 4-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs in action against the New York Mets during game one of the 2015 MLB National League Championship Series at Citi Field on October 17, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Cubs 4-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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Chicago Cubs / Willson Contreras
(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)

Chicago Cubs spring training MVPs of years past: 2020 – Willson Contreras

Technically, there were two spring trainings in 2020.  The first attempt was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second took place in the middle of summer, requiring a name change from spring training to summer camp.

For the record, that’s a much better name than spring training, but that’s not important right now.  What is important is that Willson Contreras, coming off of two consecutive All-Star starts, came into summer camp scorching, hitting home run after home run and looking strong in both inter- and intra-squad matchups.

Did he sustain it?

While Contreras wasn’t as strong as he was when the games didn’t matter, he still put up a respectful campaign in the shortened 2020 season.  He only hit .243, but knocked seven home runs and 26 RBI in 57 games played.  He also led the league in hit by pitches with 14 (take that Rizzo).  Against all odds and expectations, the Cubs made the 2020 Wild Card, where they were swept by the Marlins, and Contreras did basically nothing of note in that series.  As of this writing, he’s still with the Cubs, the last remaining piece of their infield of the future.

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