I didn’t expect to get some actual, meaningful, long-impacting news today, but there it was: Kris Bryant will get a healthy look as the Cubs’ new leadoff hitter this year. He offered to do it, David Ross wanted him to do it, and it’s happening. And I am all about it.
I also like that Ross is already planning on this being a set thing, with a long leash:
Ross said it's important to ride it out with KB at top, even if it starts slow:
"This is a commitment on his part. It's really easy to change the lineup in my seat, but I think that screams panic when you start to change all that. This is one of the best players in baseball."
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020
Ross, on Bryant batting 1st:
"I would hate to be on the other side and look at that big boy step in the box to lead things off, and what he can do, his mindset in the box, the way he grinds at-bats."
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020
“When you talk about putting the best players in baseball at the top of the order, that’s our best player and I want to put him at the top,” Cubs manager David Ross said of putting Kris Bryant in the leadoff spot. "I'm super excited about it.”https://t.co/qI3bNzZ2xV
— Sun-Times Sports (@suntimes_sports) February 19, 2020
Other bits from Cubs camp today …
Darvish vs. Bryant to start live BP pic.twitter.com/tgR7PqPEtE
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 19, 2020
Yu vs. Heyward in live BP. pic.twitter.com/gwTXLzFUVf
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020
Darvish examines his live BP pitch data before heading inside. pic.twitter.com/0XQ8xWK3U5
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020
Leftover from yesterday, from Clev Pres Chris Antonetti on @TheJK_Kid : "I have yet to see him not run a ground ball out. Back to the pitcher, over to second base, he's literally run every ball out that I can possibly remember. A great gamer. The fans will appreciate him."
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 19, 2020
Promise you will be responsible with this content. pic.twitter.com/cCO5bRPMAQ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/Michael_Cerami/status/1230205209940500482
Wow. Making @JLester34 visibly laugh should be worth an MVP award or at least a grapefruit White Claw. Cheers to you, @ARizzo44. pic.twitter.com/X61CcwrNXf
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 19, 2020
So good to see Sweet Lou back! @WatchMarquee @Cubs pic.twitter.com/Yv25Qfhqvh
— Rick Sutcliffe (@Sut_ESPN) February 19, 2020
Mike Napoli's beard has really been stealing the spotlight from Adbert Alzolay's hair this spring. pic.twitter.com/Vz0qlhJhPX
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020
Javy, man of the people. pic.twitter.com/zfJLPbIAm2
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1230205875597410304
If we judge by picture day, Ben Taylor's mustache must make the Cubs roster.
(If you missed his signing: https://t.co/BImEdmd0c1) pic.twitter.com/qjhf4fTQLZ
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 20, 2020