Mesa, Ariz. – A part of the disappointing finish of the Chicago cub in the last season was a special bond for everyone in the club house that the group felt.
The cubs have returned to the same group on a large scale, infecting some new pieces, including left -handed Shota Imanaga, Reliever Hector Neris and the first Basman Michael Bush, who hit their first homer in the spring on Thursday night. Dansbi Swansan has seen both sides for a run-stee-back approach.
Swansan said, “This is well, some points like we have still improved and I think it is like this offsen and so far we have taken those steps in a group in different ways.” “It is important that people who were here were people who were not here, some young children like we all understand what we are really doing and what we need to do to reach there and it is I am a real big focus for us so far in spring training.
For the cub take the next step with this group and convert the playoff-less disappointment of the previous season into redemption, they will need some of their returns, especially on the aggressive side, to find the next gear.
- 1. Ian hap and its production from the left
- 2. Nico Horner and its power number
- 3. Seya Suzuki and their stability
1. Ian hap and its production from the left
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
The Left Fielder Ian Hap has been introduced during the opening ceremony of the cub conference on January 12, 2024 at Sherrton Grand Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The 2023 season represented that Happ has become a prototype year. The switch hitter specifically supplements an ownership of an .360 on-base percentage 112 OPS+.
Hitting coach Dustin Kelly believes Hap still has another level that he can reach aggressively, an assessment with 29 -year -old agree.
“There is definitely more there,” Hap said. “You go through the weather stretch, where you are really good and where you minimize some small things. Last year I still did a good job to walk when I was not impressing baseball in the way I wanted. This is how you keep a full season together, but there is definitely more that I think there is more. ,
Kelly pointed to the production of the hap from the left, as an area he could continue to improve her power. Hap imposed a strong number vs. right-handers in the previous season, including a .380 OBP, .830 OPS and 16 home runs in 411 at-bats. In addition to the return of Michael Busch and Kodi Belinger, it will help to remove some pressure to provide a thunder of the left hand. But it is clear that the cubs are happy to provide a higher bounce than their laftty swing, no matter where they are slipped in batting, in which Craig may start in the leadoff spots for the counsel.
“It depends on the manager and whatever he wants, whatever he thinks is the best line of construction, I am open to it,” said Happy. “I don’t think you are going to see the same lineup for the first 10 matches of the season. There is probably something that it looks like with our group and as a manager, but He wants me to do this, this is what I am going to do. “
2. Nico Horner and its power number
Cube’s second baseless Nico Horner scored a domestic run against Reds in the Redsley Field on 1 August 2023. (Elene T. Maler/Chicago Tribune)
The bat-to-ball skills of the harner are the best on the cub.
He does not visit a ton, but his ability to hit to average and play the ball is a defined characteristic of his aggressive profile. The power generation of the horns has emerged slightly in the last two years, with 49 doubles, nine triples and 19 home runs in 1,110 in 1,110 with a.113 ISO and 6.4 xbh%. It was an optik in the bats in the first three big-league season: 15 doubles, a triple and three home run .078 ISO and 5.0 xbh% 335 in 335.
“We know that Nico can go there and hit his sleep. 280,” Kelly said. “But there are some small things with its lower half, on which we have actually worked. He did an incredible job in Offsen. ,
The Horner included bat-speed training for his offsen work to help open his body and gave him a little more room for error from the front. The Horner knows that sometimes the contract-for-power trade-offs may be sometimes, but he will not try to barrel more balls for a gap or slug home run. He still wants to stay within himself, giving his swing a better chance to tap in the power hornener and the cub believes that he has.
“There is power. If you see Nico taking BP, there is a lot of power, ”Kelly said. “It is just getting a little more comfortable for him and taking some opportunities. And the game will decide this. He is not going here and is trying to kill 40 Homer, it is not what we are asking him. But there is power that he will probably be able to get a little more this year. ,
3. Seya Suzuki and their stability
Cubbred Right Fielder Seya Suzuki dropped the line down on 22 September 2023 after driving in a run with a single against Rockies. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
When Suzuki is closed in its best form, the right fielder may be one of the best hits in the league.
When he enters the year 3 with the cub, Suzuki put MVP-caliber numbers during the last 47 games. In that period, he gave a 30 additional-base hit and 37 with RBI .356/.414/.672 slash line.
“I think he finds out that he can bat in our lineup, and he wants to be,” Kelly said. “I mean, it is one of the things he talks about, he showed everyone how good he is. And it was not just a period of two weeks. He had a great second half. .
The biggest question for Suzuki: Can he reduce his recession, how long can both live and have an impact on the lineup?
Suzuki ideally profiles the cub as the number 2 hitter because there is a threat to hit to his approach and power. He needs to develop more stability to really flourish as a major cog within crime. His strong end for 2023 hopes that he found the correct balance in the counting work while being aggressive to avoid falling quickly in a two-stroke position.