Cubs News: Maddon considering putting Schwarber back at leadoff |
Deja Vu for the Cubs?
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon is not backing down on the possibility of returning Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber to the leadoff position this season. I have thought about it,” Maddon told the media recently. “It came up a couple of times recently. Listen, I’m not running to get there yet, but I’m not running away from it either,” Maddon said. “If it all makes sense, you’ll see him back up there, and he’ll embrace it.” Schwarber had a dismal performance last season at the leadoff position with a .167 batting average and had to be demoted to Triple-A Iowa to get back his swing and his fleeting confidence. “That has nothing to do with anything,” Maddon said on Schwarber's offensive slump last season. “If he’s the best-suited guy in the moment, you’ll see him back up there.” Schwarber said that he is ready to do wherever his manager wants him to bat for the team. “If he feels he wants me to do that, I’m up for it,” said Schwarber. “I’m just trying to stay simple, confident, be me and go from there." In 2018, Schwarber is batting .268 with seven homers and 17 RBIs.
