Chicago Cubs 2016 Spring Training

Baseball season is right around the corner, Cubs Fans! The Cubs have a lot pressure and a lot of hype around their 2016 team going into the season. Why wouldn't they? Coming off of last year they have the Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year. Not to mention they also had an MVP finalist, Anthony Rizzo. They proved their spot in the NL Central. Even with the young guns coming up from the minor leagues and being brought up to play on a big league stage, They didn't disappoint. By winning 97 games and eliminating their divisional rivals in the playoffs, each and every fan on the North Side is excited to pick up where they left off last season.

Pitchers & catchers report to Mesa in 8 days (Feb. 19th). Along with position players joining on Feb. 27th. Newly acquired players like John Lackey, Ben Zobrist, and Jason Heyward got a taste of what Cubs fans are like while attending the Cubs Convention in January. Now in March, Cubs fans will see what they're like on the field fitting in with this young team. Here are 4 things to look forward to this spring: 

1.)  Jason Heyward in CF- The first to arrive to Mesa this year was in fact newbie, Jason Heyward. Jason has mainly played RF for Atlanta and St.Louis. Being the same age as Anthony Rizzo (26), This will be Heyward's 7th season in the big leagues. Which is veteran like years but Heyward is only 2 years older than, ROY, Kris Bryant. With great defensive numbers it will be exciting to see him transition into a CF and fitting right into this 2016 Cubs lineup. 

2.) Javier Baez seeing time in the OF-  As everyone knows, Joe Maddon likes to be versatile with his lineup. Whether it's having the pitcher hit 8th, throwing Bryant into LF, or being the guy to sit Castro last season, he likes to switch it up. Now with Zobrist being the primary 2nd baseman, looking for a position where Javy can make an effect on this year will include the OF. Baez got a little preview of that while playing in the Puerto Rico this winter. He said he felt comfortable after making seven putouts on Dec. 27th.

3.) Joe Maddon- Can I say anymore about this guy? The skipper likes to mix it up, he likes to keep the team loose, and he likes to be different. Watch for different lineups each Spring Training games and look out for guys playing in different positions. Joe will keep each fan/player on their toes. 

4.) The "Sophomore Slump"- With Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, and Addison Russell entering their second year people will watch them closely as the so called "Sophomore Slump" will be in effect. I don't think either of them should have a problem. Each one of them had a slump mid season or near the end of the season when pitchers figured out their weaknesses. KB hit .162 w/ 2 homers in a 21 game stretch, Schwarber hit .114 in a 10 game stretch, and Russell obviously had his ups and downs this season offensively. For those players to overcome that "Sophomore Slump" their freshman year was huge and will be a big part of their success in 2016.