FanSided

Looking back at all the Chicago Cubs' leadoff hitters since 2016

By Rich Eberwein |
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Seattle Mariners v Chicago Cubs / Chris Coduto/GettyImages
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A recent interview posted by Marquee Sports with Chicago Cubs manager David Ross revealed that he is looking to lean on second baseman Nico Hoerner to be the team's leadoff hitter, at least at the start of the regular season. Hoerner broke out last year and proved he is worthy of everyday playing time not just because of his gold-glove caliber defense, but because of his bat-to-ball skills. In 2022, Hoerner slashed .281/.327/.737 with a wRC+ of 106. Put it all together, and you have a team-leading 4.5 WAR on the season. With his short compact swing that gets a lot of contact, in addition to excellent speed on the base paths, Hoerner has the makings to be a great leadoff hitter.

We have seen this movie before, however. Ever since former Cub outfielder and leadoff man Dexter Fowler left the team after 2016, the Cubs have struggled to find a long-term solution at the 1 hole. Over the years they have tried everything from contact hitters like Hoerner, as well as sluggers like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. Let's look at some of the other leadoff men the Cubs have tried and failed to replicate Fowler's production.

1. Jon Jay

First on the list is Jon Jay, a left-handed hitter who emerged as a decent leadoff option in Chicago for a time. Jay came aboard in 2017 following Fowler's departure, and he became then manager Joe Maddon's favorite option at the 1 hole by the middle of the season. The center fielder had plenty of experience at the position during his long tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 53 games batting leadoff in 2017, Jay hit .267 while getting on base at a .324 clip. These numbers don't exactly jump off the page, but they were the best that the Cubs had at the time as the cursed leadoff spot has been a tough nut to crack. Unfortunately, Jay only stuck around for a year before departing in free agency.

2. Ian Happ

Since Happ's ascendance to the majors in 2017, he has played a variety of positions and batted in every spot in the lineup many times. Over the years, the Cubs have tried to make him the everyday leadoff hitter to no avail. This is a shame because, like Hoerner, Happ is speedy on the base paths and usually makes good contact. Not to mention he's a switch hitter. But in 316 at-bats while batting first, Happ has struck out 110 times with a .228 batting average. Even with those ugly numbers, I will never forget Happ sending the first pitch of the 2018 season for a home run in Miami.

3. Rafael Ortega

One of the many journeymen no longer on the Cubs is Rafael Ortega, and he was one of the many failed attempts at a leadoff hitter. In 2022, Ortega amassed 179 at-bats while hitting 1st, and he got on base at a .288 clip. Coupled with a .201 batting average and almost as many strikeouts (34) as hits (36), Ortega again proved that the Cubs needed to look elsewhere at the position.

4. Albert Almora Jr.

Drafted by the Cubs 6th overall in 2012, outfielder and former top prospect Albert Almora Jr. never really lived up to his high expectations. Although his fielding was always above-average, Almora was never able to prove himself as an everyday player. He did see moderate success from the leadoff spot as a Cub, with most of those at-bats coming in 2018. Over his career hitting leadoff, Almora has hit .294 with 86 hits in 76 games. However, his lack of power and inability to hit righties doomed not only his leadoff career but his time as a Cub. The team allowed him to walk as a free agent in 2020, and he has struggled as a Met and Red since.

5. Kyle Schwarber

The Kyle Schwarber experiment hitting leadoff was generally not successful, and kind of a head-scratcher. In addition to being a home run hitter and RBI machine, which typically hit in the middle of the order, Schwarber is a slow baserunner. He just does not fit the profile of a leadoff man and got on base at a .307 pace in 2017 and 2019 combined which is nothing special. He did crank 24 homers in the 1 hole during that time, but he hits home runs wherever he is in the lineup.

Next. 3 former Cubs we are glad are gone, and 2 we want back. dark

Even though he has hit leadoff in Philadelphia quite successfully, with Trea Turner now on the Phillies, I would be pretty astonished if they keep the big man there, even though 38 of his home runs came from hitting first last year.

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