Good Vibes Only: PCA’s Legs, Happ’s Clutchness, Steele’s Dominance, Suzuki, Ballesteros, Prospects, More

The Cubs won a game by TWO runs yesterday. Today is a Friday. The Brewers are on tap. And apparently the world might end in about four months. So I thought we could do another “Good Vibes Only” post about the Chicago Cubs. Here’s just a collection of positivity around the team. They might not deserve it, but we certainly do.

  • Pete Crow-Armstrong is a perfect 15/15 in stolen bases so far this season, which means he’s tied for the 18th most stolen bases in the entire league. And that’s with by far the fewest plate appearances of anyone ahead of him.
  • Likewise, PCA’s 3.4 BsR (base running runs above average) ranks NINTH in MLB and his 5.4 Def rating ranks 36th. Those are incredible sums with so few games played. So even though he’s struggling on offense, he’s already been worth 0.7 WAR. If he can get to like a 90 wRC+ (a very reasonable goal, imo) he’s going to be an extremely valuable player.
  • Ian Happ had a really poor start to the year, but has since turned his season around (115 wRC+). But his production in high leverage moments this season is kind of absurd: .306/.405/.639 (191 wRC+ in 42 PAs classified as high leverage). Because of that, he’s ranking out as one of the most clutch hitters in all of baseball.
  • Over the last calendar month, Justin Steele’s 39.0 IP are tied for third most in MLB. His 1.38 ERA is second best in MLB. And his 1.1 fWAR is t-7th most. He’s on an absolutely incredible run and is every bit as good as he was last season.
  • Maybe it’ll prove to be too-little, too-late, but have you realized how good Seiya Suzuki has been swinging it for over a month now? In his last 133 PAs, Suzuki is slashing .286/.361/.496 (143 wRC+) with six doubles, two triples, five homers, and six stolen bases. I didn’t realize it was that good!
  • Another guy whose good stretch has gone by quietly: Dansby Swanson. Over his last 101 PAs, Swanson has a 111 wRC+. And his 0.7 WAR over that stretch is roughly top-50 in MLB among all position players.
  • Cody Bellinger is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak and is slashing .306/.346/.403 (115 wRC+) with just a 15.8% strikeout rate over his last 133 PAs. Not a lot of slug there, but there’s still value.
  • Brett mentioned Nico Hoerner’s nice run in the bullets this morning.
  • Tyson Miller has a 1.43 ERA in his 17.2 innings since the Cubs plucked him from the garbage heap.
  • One of the Cubs most exciting prospects, Moises Ballesteros, got bumped up to Triple-A and IMMEDIATELY started raking. He has 13 hits through his first eight games, including four doubles and a homer. He’s INCREDIBLY young and potentially a catcher. If the Cubs can find a way to have him stick behind the plate, he’s looking like a potential breakout star. If not, his bat is still likely to play in the big leagues, sooner than later. Just perhaps as a DH-only type. We are in no position to not be thrilled about a bat that potentially awesome.
  • And Ballesteros is hardly the only Cubs prospect having a good season. We’ve liked what we’ve seen from Owen Caissie as a 21-year-old in Triple-A. And Matt Shaw is just about ready for a promotion to Iowa, himself â€” he’s got a 135 wRC+ overall and is slashing .286/.453/.750 (239 wRC+) since June 13. Oh and then there’s James Triantos!
  • I made a poorly worded comment about Christopher Morel having a “borderline special” bat. I think if I could get another chance, I’d rephrase it as borderline special talent or something like that. Because the truth is, I still really believe in his bat long-term. The growth he’s shown this year in terms of his walk and strikeout rate while maintaining top-level power really is something to keep an eye on. For example, over his last 106 PAs, Morel may have “only” a 119 wRC+, which is actually pretty good, but he’s doing it with a .222 BABIP, an 11.3 BB%, a 10.1 barrel%, and a 20.8 K%. I really think those are the bones of something really, really good.
  • And lastly, if the Cubs do continue to suck, at least there’s this!
  • written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    Cubs Have a League-Leading Seven Prospects in MLB Pipeline’s Updated Top-100

    The MLB Pipeline crew has released a full midseason rerank of the top-100 prospect list, and despite multiple names graduating off for the Cubs, they STILL have SEVEN prospects on the new list: 17. Cade Horton, RHP30. Matt Shaw, INF35....

    Running Down the Roster One-by-One in Search of Tradable Cubs Players

    If you're looking for something to read today, consider checking out Matthew Trueblood's latest at North Side Baseball. In his sober look at the Cubs, underscored by a depressing contrast to the current status of the Brewers, Trueblood pretty much...

    The Marlins Just DFA’d Tim Anderson

    Remember when there were heated debates about the best shortstop in the city of Chicago? Well, now Javier Baez is slashing .183/.209/.247 (26 wRC+) with the Tigers and Tim Anderson was just designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins. Tim...

    Let’s Win a Series for America (Or Something): Cubs vs Phillies – Series Preview

    Cubs vs Phillies — This week, the Chicago Cubs are hosting the Philadelphia Phillies for three games at Wrigley Field, culminating in a Fourth of July finale at 1:20. All three games will be carried nationally (first via TBS and...

    Cubs Land Three Top Prospects in the 2024 All-Star Futures Game!

    With Cade Horton out injured and Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ben Brown, and Jordan Wicks all already in Chicago, the focus of the Cubs farm system has arguably been turned to three names: Owen Caissie (Triple-A), Moises Ballesteros (Triple-A), and Matt Shaw...

    Stray Hostility About the Big League Team, Positivity About the Minor League Teams, Hager Signing, and Other Cubs Bullets

    The Cubs this week host the best team in baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies (albeit without two of their top bats in Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber). I don't see the series as much of a litmus test for the already-floundering...

    Chicago Cubs “Taking Incoming Inquiries” About the Possibility They Could Wind Up Selling

    Jon Morosi is doing his laps lately, and I appreciate him for it. Appearing this afternoon on Parkins & Spiegel on 670 The Score, Morosi was asked about the Cubs as sellers, and in essence, have they already engaged in...

    Latest Mock Drafts: A New Pitcher Name for the Cubs

    The 2024 MLB Draft is officially "this" month. You know, because it's July now. Two weeks away ... A couple new mock drafts to share today, with the MLB Pipeline crew updating their thoughts here. For the Cubs, it's a...

    The Cubs Sell-Off Speculation (Rumor?) Begins With a Connection to the Mariners

    Over the last few days, MLB Network's Jon Morosi has twice discussed the Seattle Mariners plans for the trade season, and both times he has brought up the Chicago Cubs. To be clear, neither discussion was framed as "these two...

    Moises Ballesteros Continues to Rake, Continues to Force Questions About His Positional Future

    The offensive performance this year from Chicago Cubs prospect Moises Ballesteros shouldn't have caught anyone by surprise. He was, after all, the Cubs' player of the year on the positional side last year. He'd already broken out in a big...

    Latest News

    Angels vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, July 2, 2024

    Coming off of a 3-1 series win over the Tigers, the Los Angeles Angels (36-47) are -115 favorites to pick up the win in Game 1 of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics (30-56). The series begins at Oakland-Alameda...

    Orioles vs. Mariners Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, July 2, 2024

    Grayson Rodriguez will take the mound for the Baltimore Orioles (53-31) Tuesday looking for his 10th win of the season in a matchup with the Seattle Mariners (47-39). The Orioles are -114 favorites to pick up the win in the...

    Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, July 2, 2024

    Coming off of a 1-2 series loss to the Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers (52-33) are -195 favorites to pick up the win in Game 1 of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks (41-43). The series begins at Dodger...

    Cubs Have a League-Leading Seven Prospects in MLB Pipeline’s Updated Top-100

    The MLB Pipeline crew has released a full midseason rerank of the top-100 prospect list, and despite multiple names graduating off for the Cubs, they STILL have SEVEN prospects on the new list: 17. Cade Horton, RHP30. Matt Shaw, INF35....

    Updated 2024 Presidents Cup Standings

    Presidents Cup Standings - The 2024 edition of the Presidents Cup will be held from September 26-29 at The Royal Montreal Golf Club. As host of the 2007 Presidents Cup, Royal Montreal will become the second international venue to host...

    Latest Open Championship Odds: Scheffler Leads with Rory, Bryson in Top 5

    Scottie Scheffler Favored to Claim the Claret Jug The 2024 Open Championship is set to take place at the historic Royal Troon Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland, and the latest odds have world #1 Scottie Scheffler as the clear favorite...

    Arlington Heights is Making a Renewed Effort to Woo the Chicago Bears

    With a lakefront project in downtown Chicago facing its share of hurdles, the folks in Arlington Heights are angling to get back into the conversation to become the next home of Chicago Bears stadium. Even though a Chicago stadium on...

    Brewers vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, July 2, 2024

    Following a big two-homer game last time out, Brenton Doyle leads the Colorado Rockies (29-55) into action as +105 underdogs against the Milwaukee Brewers (50-35). First pitch from Coors Field at 8:40 PM ET on Tuesday, live on BSWI.Dallas Keuchel...

    Tuesday’s WNBA Picks and Predictions – July 2

    In one of the four exciting matchups on the WNBA schedule today, the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty square off at Barclays Center.If you're looking for the best bets and computer picks for today's WNBA games, we're here...

    Orioles vs. Mariners Probable Starting Pitchers – July 2

    The Seattle Mariners (47-39) kick off a three-game series on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles (53-31). The contest begins at 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.The Orioles will call on Grayson Rodriguez (9-3) versus the Mariners and George Kirby (7-5).Orioles...

    more cubs news