Three Up, Three Down: Chicago Cubs Stock Watch
A stock report on the Chicago Cubs for three players who have seen their stock rise and fall after two series.
Up
Competition at third base has done wonders for Patrick Wisdom in the early stages of the season. The 31-year-old already has two home runs and five RBI in four games. More importantly, he's struck out in less than 17 percent of his at-bats and has flashed the leather several times at the hot corner.
Up
After signing a lucrative seven-year contract in the offseason, Dansby Swanson had a slow start to the spring. A strong finish in the Cactus League propelled his hot start in the regular season. The 29-year-old shortstop has played excellent defense and is hitting .500 (10-for-20). Swanson started the year with three 3-hit games in his first four contests, becoming the first player since at least 1901 to achieve the feat.
Up
Adbert Alzolay has settled nicely into his role from the bullpen thus far. The 28-year-old has made two appearances, fanning eight batters in only 4.2 innings. He's relying primarily on a three-pitch mix of his slider, sinker, and four-seam fastball and is within the top nine percent of the league in maximum exit velocity (99.4), expected weighted on-base average (.166), strikeout percentage (47.1), and expected ERA (1.17).
Down
Wisdom's hot start, combined with Miles Mastrobuoni's versatility, has left Nick Madrigal in no man's land. A move to third base seemed to provide a path for more playing time for the former fourth-overall pick, but he has one hit in six at-bats. With the way that Wisdom is playing right now, there's no need to change anything, which is bad news for Madrigal.
Down
Drew Smyly's final spring start was a foreshadowing of his regular-season debut. The 33-year-old lefty tossed 4.2 innings, giving up nine hits, seven runs (six earned), and walking a pair. The Cubs led by at least two runs twice in Smyly's first outing on Monday. He squandered both leads.
Down
Where does Edwin Rios fit in on this roster? He seemed destined to carve out some playing time in the spring, but he has seen just five at-bats through the first five games. He's fanned twice and gone without a hit.
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