Chicago Cubs: Should we get used to Kris Bryant at leadoff?
For the fourth consecutive game, Kris Bryant is hitting leadoff for the Chicago Cubs. Should Cubs fans get used to Bryant as their leadoff man?
Joe Maddon has used the leadoff role for the Chicago Cubs as a way to spark slumping hitters and Kris Bryant was just that when Maddon put him atop the order earlier this week. But since then, Bryant has heated up and is still topping the order.
Kris Bryant finding comfort atop the order
The reason Joe Maddon uses the leadoff role to jump start slumping hitters is because pitchers are forced to throw to them. When he’s hitting third, a pitcher can afford to tactfully avoid Bryant if they prefer throwing to Anthony Rizzo or whoever is batting behind Bryant.
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But rarely will pitchers concede a leadoff runner, no matter how dangerous they may be. And Bryant is clearly benefiting from seeing more strikes as the first hitter.
In his five games leading off in 2018, Bryant is hitting .400 even. He’s only walked once in that time which may be a testimony to pitchers throwing him more strikes.
But despite his slugging being down this season, Bryant is a power hitter. What are the Cubs giving up by having him leadoff?
Using Bryant while he’s playing like a leadoff hitter
Most years, having a hitter like Bryant take see the opposing pitcher first might seem preposterous. But this season, Bryant is playing more like a leadoff man than he is a cleanup slugger.
Bryant is slugging .492 which is down from his 2017 slugging percentage of .537. He’s on pace for fewer homeruns than he’s typically expected to hit nine. His OBP is .387. He’s only stolen two bases this season, but we know he’s fast enough to take a bag at any time.
He’s playing more like a leadoff hitter than anyone on the Chicago Cubs. Maddon just might leave him there until the power inevitably comes back.
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Kris Bryant has been a mainstay as the leadoff man for the Chicago Cubs over the last week, and he might just stay there for some time to come.