Nick Madrigal finds offensive spark with looming Chicago Cubs roster decision

Entering the weekend, with Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki began what has been described as a condensed minor-league rehab assignment with the Iowa Cubs, all eyes were on third baseman Nick Madrigal in regard to the corresponding roster move that the team will make once Suzuki is ready to return. Suzuki looked ready in the two games that he played with the Iowa Cubs this weekend and with the Major League team having a night game on Monday as they host the Seattle Mariners at Wrigley Field, it is not out of the question to think that Suzuki will be with the team tonight.

Madrigal showed some offensive spark over the weekend in the Cubs' series against the Texas Rangers. Madrigal collected 3 hits over the course of 8 plate appearances against the Rangers this weekend and has brought his season slash line up to .286/.333/.357. Madrigal's BABIP is now up to .308 on the season and when he is going right, that is the value that he brings to the Cubs.

While Madrigal does not have the power that you would typically come to expect for a Major League third baseman, when he is healthy and his offensive approach is right, he puts the ball in play at a high frequency. Madrigal hit over .300 in his first two seasons with the Chicago White Sox and that was the appeal to the Cubs when they acquired him in a trade deadline deal.

If this weekend was a sign that Madrigal is finding that offensive form once again, that may change what the corresponding roster move will be when Suzuki is activated from the IL. Perhaps, that means the experiment with Miles Mastrobuoni will be short-lived. Despite having a hard-hit percentage of 50% this season, Mastrobuoni only has 2 hits in 14 plate appearances this season and the return of Suzuki will severely limit his playing time if he were to remain on the active roster.