All right, so the headline to this article isn't perfect. Basically, I'm going to talk about three Cubs players and comparing how I felt about them heading into the 2022 season and how I feel about them after and what my expectations are for them going forward.

Maybe you agree, disagree, but this is simply coming from how I felt about these players way back in April and how things have changed since then.

Nick Madrigal

I'm out on Nick Madrigal. Sorry if this offends.

I felt underwhelmed back in 2021, when the Cubs traded Craig Kimbrel for right-handed reliever Codi Heuer and second baseman Nick Madrigal. A reliever and an injured player? Fine, I was still willing to give them time and wasn't completely against the trade, but I can't lie and say I wasn't too optimistic. Heuer had some good moments with the Cubs, but unfortunately underwent Tommy John surgery in the offseason. Meanwhile, Madrigal was still recovering from hamstring surgery that sidelined him for the rest of 2021.

So, 2022 was a clean slate for Madrigal, and like I said, I wasn't going to claim he was a bum. A .300 hitter? He's gotta be doing something right. Well, I know Madrigal is only going to be 26-years-old next season, but I don't want to see him on the Cubs anymore. All the weak contact, the questionable base-running and the injuries continuing to pop up are too many red flags.

And yes, the weak contact is the biggest red flag. Read about that on Fangraphs.

Back in April, my optimistic side thought Madrigal could still be a building block on the next Cubs playoff team. Then, he hit .249, which is supposed to be his one good skillset and had a 70 wRC+, in 228 plate appearances. Simply put, 30% worse than the league average hitter.

Even when Madrigal was fully healthy again and came back from Triple-A in August, he was still a below average hitter, posting a 95 wRC+ in his final 113 plate appearances.

The Cubs have also made their stance clear this offseason on what role they think Madrigal can play and at best it's as a backup on the bench after signing Dansby Swanson to a seven-year, $177 million contract. That also paves the way for Nico Hoerner to become the team's starting second baseman.

And while I'm done with Nick Madrigal...

Nico Hoerner

Like, Nick Madrigal, I had concerns about Nico Hoerner's longevity. He had missed chunks of the 2021 season with a few different issues. And sure, you could tell me he missed time in 2022, but the first injury list stint was only because of a freak accident, when an umpire got in his way during a play in mid-May, and in September, Hoerner returned to the lineup after two weeks dealing with a triceps injury.

But I saw enough from Hoerner in 2022 to believe he can hold up through an entire MLB season, as he pretty much played every day at shortstop when he was on the active roster. He played in 135 games, starting 128 times at shortstop. Hoerner was one of the best defenders at his position and he also started to drive the ball more with authority, raising his exit velocity numbers in 2022. Not only that, but Hoerner started to hit fewer ground balls and more fly balls this past season, too.

And although Hoerner's walk numbers dipped in 2022, his strikeout rate lowered and because he's a good contact hitter, Hoerner end the season batting .281 and had a 106 wRC+. There is still room for improvement at the plate, but there are no more doubts from me on Nico Hoerner moving forward. I fully expect Hoerner to be one of the best defensive second baseman in baseball and to continue getting better on offense as he establishes himself as one of the core players on the Cubs.

Swanson and Hoerner up the middle will be a pitcher's dream beginning in 2023. Here's one who will benefit a lot.

Justin Steele

I think even into May I wasn't too thrilled watching Justin Steele pitch for the Cubs. His starts were, not painful, but kind of a chore to watch at times because of all the base runners and high pitch counts. And then from June through the end of his season Steele posted a 2.05 ERA in 14 starts, striking out nine batters per nine innings in the final 79 innings that he pitched. He went three straight months and had one bad start, coming against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 23, when Steele allowed five earned runs in 5.2 innings.

More of a breakdown. Out of his last 14 starts in 2022, Steele pitched five or more innings and allowed two or fewer runs 10 times.

So, personally, I've gone from thinking Steele may not be cut out for the rotation, to now thinking he can take the next step in 2023 and become the ace of the staff. Count me in on the Justin Steele hype train for 2023 baby!

So, what players have you completely changed your expectations on after the 2022 season? Let us know in the comments.