David Bote started at shortstop for the Iowa Cubs Saturday night, got on a flight at 6 a.m. the following morning, arrived in San Diego at 11 a.m. and two hours after that he was the starting third baseman for the Chicago Cubs.
The 25-year-old rookie has been the first guy the Cubs have called when they've needed backup for an injured player this season. Bote has to be ready at any moment and on no sleep after a flight to the west coast he delivered another solid performance for the Cubs in their final game before the All-Star break.
Bote went 1-for-2, reached two more times via a walk and hit-by-pitch, stole a base and scored a run in Sunday's 7-4 win for the Cubs. He's only played 20 games at the MLB level, but he already sounds like a 10-year veteran.
Bote was picked in the 18th round of the 2012 draft by the Cubs. Entering 2018, he had 543 minor-league games under his belt, starting in the Arizona League to begin his pro career. In 2013, Bote played at Daytona, Kane County and Boise. During that period he was playing all over the field. From every position in the outfield to second base, third base and shortstop. After six years climbing up the Cubs' farm system, Bote was invited to spring training and in 24 games the right-handed hitter slashed .269/.339/.442. He grabbed the attention of coaches and fans, but because of the depth there just wasn't any room for him on the Opening Day roster. Now, after only 53 plate appearances during three stints with the Cubs, fans can't get enough of Bote and his player profile just screams as being the next Ben Zobrist. Although Bote and Zobrist had different paths to the majors, they both made their MLB debuts at age 25. Zobrist broke through in 2006, two years after he was drafted in the sixth round. It wasn't until 2009, when Zobrist became an every-day starter for Joe Maddon's Tampa Bay Rays and boy what a year it was for him, as Zobrist lead MLB with a 8.6 fWAR. Of course, Bote has a long way to go to reach those heights, but so far the comparison to Zobrist fits. He gives a professional at-bat every time he steps up to the plate, shows great patience (.350 OBP in 598 minor-league games) plays all seven positions in the field outside of pitching and catching, oh and that glove is pretty damn good too.
Yet, Bote at this point is a luxury for the Cubs. Despite his .310/.415/.452 slash and a 0.7 fWAR in 20 games, Bote was optioned back down to Triple-A during the All-Star break, as Albert Almora Jr. and Carl Edwards Jr. were added back to the 25-man roster. But Bote will be back this season. That's a guarantee and the latest date will be Sept. 1, when rosters expand. If there's an injury to a player, Bote will be the first man up. Obviously no one roots for an injury, but Kris Bryant being out earlier this season and Zobrist missing time back in April, opened the door for Bote this year and he has certainly been a nice surprise. However, Zobrist is 37-years-old and will be a free agent after the 2019 season. So, Cubs fans may not have to wait long to see a lot more of Bote, who's starting to fit the mold of the super utility player that Zobrist once was and to a point still is 12 years into his career. It's been a great season for Bote so far, not just turning heads at the majors, but continuing the success at Triple-A. He has 12 home runs with an .835 OPS in 55 games for the Iowa Cubs, making adjustments to his swing that are paying dividends in the power department. Couple the offensive prosperity with the defensive versatility, starting at least eight games at every position outside of catcher and pitcher, and the Cubs may have the next Ben Zobrist with Bote waiting to get his chance to stick in MLB and leave the minors behind for good.
