Here are five takeaways from Cubs spring training Monday.
1. Joe Maddon is curious about Kris Bryant batting leadoff.
Former Cubs manager Joe Maddon, back in Mesa on Monday with the Angels, batted Kris Bryant in the leadoff spot seven times, all in 2018. He said he looks forward to seeing how Bryant fares there on a permanent basis.
“We always talked about it,” Maddon said. “It’s interesting, based on his skill set. Just like (Kyle) Schwarber, although less strikeouts at that particular time than what Kyle went through. It’s similar with the high on-base percentage, a chance to put the first pitch in the stands.”
Maddon said analytics staffers say the most predictable pitch in baseball is the first pitch — usually a fastball.
“Anthony (Rizzo) might be the best leadoff hitter I’ve ever had because he did put the ball in the stands often,” Maddon said.
So why didn’t Maddon bat Bryant leadoff more often?
“I loved him in the two spot,” Maddon said. “He was so productive there. In the beginning, it was Dexter Fowler (batting leadoff in 2015). He nailed it, and then I really thought Kyle was the perfect next guy because of his ability to get on base and hit for power, (but) he struggled.”
Bryant was 9-for-28 (.321) with a .387 on-base percentage in seven games in the leadoff spot in 2018. The Cubs used 10 players there that year and produced a .302 average and .366 on-base percentage — both National League highs. But those numbers dropped to a league-low .212 and .294, respectively, in 2019.
“It’s always best if you have a guy you can put there all the time,” Maddon said. “It’s hard to find that guy. They don’t exist like they did in the past.”
2. Kris Bryant is on board with a kangaroo court.
Kris Bryant likes the idea of players holding themselves accountable with a system that penalizes them for specific mistakes.
“We’ve had a lot of great ideas the last two years and a lot of great answers as to why we haven’t played well but not much action on those thoughts,” Bryant said. “Hopefully we can talk this season about things we want to do better and actually do those and act on them, rather than continue to give you guys answers.”
Manager David Ross played on a Padres team that instituted a kangaroo court for fines. He said it brought a blend of fun and accountability.
“You can get on a guy, make it fun, hit his wallet a little bit and give the guy a chance to argue on what he might have been thinking,” Ross said. “It creates a lot of fun but also creates a system of communication and leadership and holding guys accountable.
“The kangaroo court can be fun as long as it’s done the right way.”
Ross plans to institute some rules, particularly a selective dress code that will include jumpsuits for some trips.
“The theme is professionalism,” Ross said. “I’m not going to tell them exactly what it looks like, but look professional. If you don’t know what it looks like, ask a veteran. They’ll let you know.”
3. Manuel Rodriguez undergoes an MRI.
Cubs relief prospect Manuel Rodriguez was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of an injury to his right biceps.
“I feel soreness,” Rodriguez said. “It’s not my elbow but my biceps and forearm.”
Manager David Ross said the team expects to learn results of the exam by Tuesday and described the ailment as biceps soreness.
Rodriguez, 23, left Sunday’s game against the Mariners after throwing a pitch to Kyle Lewis with one out in the sixth inning.
In other pitching news, closer Craig Kimbrel threw a bullpen session Monday and is expected to make his exhibition debut Wednesday against the Reds in Goodyear, Ariz.
4. A spike in velocity surprises Dan Winkler.
A radar-gun reading of 96 mph Thursday pleasantly surprised Dan Winkler, who is trying to regain his effectiveness and land a spot in the bullpen.
“I’ve never seen that this early,” Winkler said. “The things we’ve done so far in the first weeks of camp between me, Tommy (Hottovy) and Chris Young, just with mechanical and grip changes, have been huge for me, and it’s paying dividends right now.”
Winkler struck out 69 in 60? innings in 2018 with the Braves but struggled in the first half of 2019 and was traded to the Giants. He spent the end of the season at Triple-A Sacramento.
Thanks to videotapes Hottovy sent him this winter, Winkler discovered he wasn’t using his legs enough and was relying on his cut fastball on an estimated 92% of pitches.
“I don’t have a Mariano Rivera cutter,” Winkler said. “So I can’t just keep throwing it all the time.”
5. The Cubs signed the remaining players on the 40-man roster.
The Cubs agreed to terms with 19 players with zero to three years of service time.
Outfielder Ian Happ will receive $624,000, the most among the 19 players. Backup catcher Victor Caratini will earn $592,000.
