Good morning, Bleacher Nation. I'm dragging a bit after the late-night West Coast game, but since it ended with a win that finally gave the Cubs their first series win in more than a month, I've got the juice to power through. Here's a breakdown of some key developments and observations from the team's recent performance:
Pete Crow-Armstrong's Hot Streak
PCA has been on fire lately, going 3-for-5 with a leadoff home run on the first pitch of the game. This is a significant improvement from his slow start, and it's been a real pleasure to watch his progress. He's operating with more patience at the plate, evidenced by a walk rate nearly double that of last season's. While I haven't broken down the spray chart, the eye test tells me PCA is tapping into his power across the diamond, whereas last season it was almost exclusively pull side. This stretch is approaching the tear he went on last season that put him in the conversation, but with more polish and poise to it.
Nico Hoerner's Struggles
On the other end of the spectrum, Nico Hoerner is struggling. After a 0-for-5 night at the plate on Saturday, his slash line is down to .240/.319/.336. There's been some bad luck baked into the struggles, but as Brendan points out, it doesn't appear much more complicated than swing decisions holding Nico back. When Nico was slugging this season, he was hitting the ball further from his body. In the middle of May, he hit more pitches closer to his body, which coincided with his slump. He did this last year too in early June, which coincided with one of his funks as well.
Seiya Suzuki's Injury
Seiya Suzuki exited the game with 'right knee discomfort' after a tough play in the outfield forced him to stomp on the brakes, turn around, and chase after a ball. While it's concerning, he walked off the field under his own power and with next to no limp. I'm hopeful that this is a good sign, and I'd expect Shaw to get most of the opportunities while Seiya recovers. If there's an IL stint, I can't help but wonder if Kevin Alcantara gets recalled or if his most recent baserunning blunders give someone like Chas McCormick the opportunity instead.
Josiah Hartshorn's Rise
Josiah Hartshorn is a phenom. He's forcing coverage hardly a day goes by here, and as a rational, or even pessimistic fan, you're seriously considering whether the Cubs have a phenom on their hands. Even if Hartshorn cools off some at High-A, it seems likely he reaches Double-A before the season is over. If that happens, it by no means sounds crazy that he reaches Triple-A next season, and at that point, he's one call away from being a big leaguer at 20 years old, just two years removed from high school.
Matthew Boyd's Bullpen Role
I'm glad to see that Matthew Boyd is trending towards a bullpen role. It's a smart move, and I'm hopeful that he can return somewhat soon. It's also a good sign that Ryan Rolison will be starting today's series finale.
South Bend Cubs' Success
Congratulations to the South Bend Cubs. They've been a fun team to follow so far this season, and Jefferson Rojas continues to keep his name in the prospect conversation amid all the Hartshorn buzz. That was his 10th home run of the season, and he’s now slashing .286/.358/.500.
Conclusion
The Cubs are on a roll, and it's been a pleasure to watch their progress. While there are some concerns with Nico Hoerner's struggles, the team's overall performance is encouraging. I'm hopeful that they can continue their winning streak and make a strong push for the playoffs. One thing that immediately stands out is the team's ability to develop young talent, and what many people don't realize is that this is a testament to the organization's strong player development system. If you take a step back and think about it, the Cubs have a bright future ahead of them, and it's exciting to see what they can achieve in the coming years.
