Five Cubs Players You Need To Watch This Spring Training

    The Chicago Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in only six days, while the entire team is due three days later, as the 2017 Cubs look defend their title for the first time since 1908. The 2017 squad looks set, and while the Cubs core players are for the most part still intact, the roster has a few new faces that plan on filling major roles and some familiar faces that look to make a larger impact this season. So, I put together a list of some key players Cubs fans should be checking box scores and keeping their eyes on during this spring. [caption id="attachment_83677" align="alignnone" width="770"] Schwarber's heroic return to the Cubs in the World Series proved his bat is still elite, however, it is his defense fans should be worried about.[/caption]

Kyle Schwarber

  The outfielder/catcher looks to be making progress when it comes to being able to take the field, as the 23-year-old "Schwarbs" works to return from an LCL and ACL tear he suffered just three games into 2016. However, Schwarber is already at the Cubs spring training complex in Mesa, AZ where he was seen shagging balls in the outfield earlier this week. I'm cringing each time he bends his legs. But Schwarber fielding fly balls is not what people want to see, it's how he reacts to a ball hit down the third base line. I want to see how quickly he can get to a ball, field it cleanly, and fire a strike to the cut-off man without seeing him wince in pain or wiggle his leg after doing so. I want to see if Schwarber can catch for nine innings and look like his normal self at the plate because that will tell us if the Hulk-like masher that is Kyle Schwarber is ready to return to the lineup as an everyday player or needs to be worked in as the season goes. If Schwarber struggles in the field and starts the season a little rusty, I wouldn't be surprised to see swiss army knife Ben Zobrist as the starting left fielder with the crafty Javy Baez manning second base to start the season, which throws a serious wrench in the possibility of Schwarber being the team's leadoff hitter in 2017. Schwarber showing he can play at the very least play slightly below average defense that isn't detrimental is absolutely paramount in regards to the Cubs success. But, if Schwarber can prove his knee is 100% ready for the field, the Cubs might have the most dynamic top-half of a lineup in baseball with Schwarber, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Zobrist, and Addison Russell as the Cubs projected one thru five hitters. [caption id="attachment_83064" align="alignnone" width="770"] Brett Anderson's role has yet to be truly defined, but he currently projects as the Cubs potential 6th starter in 2017.[/caption]

Brett Anderson

  The Cubs signed the veteran lefty as a depth/6th starter in an attempt to keep guys like John Lackey, Jon Lester, and Jake Arrieta fresh throughout the season and into the postseason. However, with the addition of Brett Anderson to the rotation, it takes away a bullpen/bench spot away from the team. Now, the Cubs position players are incredibly flexible in the field which could allow them to absorb the blow of losing a player off their bench. Adding Anderson while subtracting a Tommy La Stell is far more ideal than losing a bullpen arm, but maybe Anderson can fill the role of depth starter and long reliever when necessary? Right now, Fangraphs has Brett Anderson projected to start in 10 games this season and nothing more. With Anderson's extensive injury history, that might be plenty of games for the Cubs to feel they received adequate value for the 29-year old. But, if Anderson were able to give the Cubs maybe 5-10 more appearances from the pen, it could allow the Cubs to carry another bat or glove on their bench for pinch hitting or defensive reasons. Either way, Anderson's addition to the Cubs brings about many intriguing possibilities and with a manager like Joe Maddon, you can never really tell how he plans on using a player until he does it.  [caption id="attachment_83730" align="alignnone" width="594"] New reliever Brian Duensing looks like he could be the lone lefty in the Cubs bullpen to start 2017.[/caption]

The Bullpen

  There are a lot of options for the Cubs in their bullpen for 2017, but it seems like the closer and setup roles are already entrenched. The Cubs sent outfielder Jorge Soler to Kansas City in exchange for closer Wade Davis, Hector Rondo and Pedro Strop figure to retain their setup roles, and veteran reliever and former Boston Red Sox closer Koji Uehara is also on this roster. That's five guys who look like guarantees on this roster, leaving only two or three spots left in the pen. I would assume Carl Edwards is a lock to make this roster, especially since he was the first guy Maddon turned to after former Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman blew the save in game seven of the World Series. This leaves the Cubs with two spots open, and honestly more likely one spot, to be filled by possibly eight different guys. Justin Grimm, veteran newcomer Brian Duensing, the Cubs rule 5 draft pick Caleb Smith, Rob Zastryzny, Jim Henderson, Manny Parra, Gerardo Concepcion, and maybe a few more all vying for a shot at the Cubs final bullpen spot. Now, I understand that not all these guys bring the level of excitement a guy like Davis or Edwards might, but as it currently stands right now, none of the names I listed as 'locks' for the Cubs bullpen are left handed. Duensing, Zastryzny, Smith and Concepcion are the only lefty arms I listed above that have a real shot at making this team, and if they don't, the Cubs could go with an entirely right-handed dominant bullpen. So, do the Cubs add a lefty for matchup reasons or do they go with the best arm? That is where the excitement exists.  [caption id="attachment_83732" align="alignnone" width="770"] Heyward's 2016 campaign was hard to watch for most Cubs fans, but expect big things from the 27-year in 2017.[/caption]

Jason Heyward

  2016 was not Jason Heyward's year, to put it mildly. The most expensive player in Chicago Cubs history posted a dismal slash line, .230/.306/.325, and if not for his incredible defense and a now legendary World Series rain delay speech, Heyward might have been chased out of Chicago by torches and pitchforks. After struggling all throughout last season, Heyward went to work after becoming a World Series champion and started working on his swing. As you can see below, the swing on the left compared to the swing Heyward has been putting on display at the Cubs training facility in Mesa, AZ is visible different. With this altered swing to go along with a fresh season and hopefully some new-found confidence, Heyward might be looking at a huge bounce back season with the North-Siders. While Cubs fans may be blinded by his poor performance in his first season with the club, Heyward is only one seasons removed from being a 6 WAR player. Heyward, when his swing mechanics are in check, has one of the smoothest cuts in baseball and can show some power at times. I wouldn't expect Heyward to club 20+ home runs, but I do think his great bat alongside his elite on-base skills could translate to him scoring a ton a runs, especially if the Cubs consider him as a leadoff hitter. I wrote this article back December on why Heyward leading off made sense for the Cubs, with a career .346 OBP and his great speed, it isn't hard to visualize Heyward being able to score 90+ runs with Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Addison Russell (all had at least 90 RBI's last season) hitting behind him. Also, I'd like to add that Cubs TV play-by-play broadcaster Len Kasper agrees with me on Heyward leading off as well, and you can listen to myself interview him on the 312 podcast here. (So THERE, a smart person agrees with my idea)

Willson Contreras

  Contreras looks well-suited to step into the everyday catcher role for the Cubs in 2017, after an impressive 2016 season. In 73 games, the 24-year old Contreras slashed .283/.357/.488 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI, while also walking 9.2% of the time. For a part-time player, Contreras made the most of his limited playing time by either making a key defensive play behind the plate or come up with a clutch hit. With David Ross enjoying retirement and Miguel Montero's less-than-graceful aging process, Contreras is a no-brainer at the catcher spot, but that honestly might be a slight to the young catcher. Contreras, a former infielder turned catcher, looks to have the makeup as an elite backstop, and I think 2017 might just prove that. The Cubs have not had a catcher with this type of potential since Geovany Soto, with his combination of power at the plate and excellent framing and arm strength behind it, the Cubs look to have found a gem. The only thing that remains a question for Contreras is whether or not he can handle the responsibilities that are required to catch an entire pitching staff. The second-year player already has a solid report with John Lackey and Kyle Hendricks, but who knows how Jon Lester will respond without his catcher Ross this season. Arrieta is also usually caught by Montero, which could ruffle some feathers as well. But if anyone doubts Contreras has developed into an everyday catcher, read this Fangraphs article by August Fagerstrom and promptly shut up. Contreras will have to show he has the mental maturity and poise to be an everyday catcher, but if he can iron out the intangibles, Contreras as the skill to be one of the league's most complete backstops in baseball.