When it comes to the Chicago Cubs chances of repeating as World Series Champs, there is one player that will greatly increase those odds with a comeback season. Jason Heyward had, by all accounts, a disastrous 2016 campaign. After signing a massive contract and bringing offensive and defensive tools to Chicago that were supposed to be the final piece to the puzzle. Heyward certainly didn't produce at the plate but the team won the World Series anyway. Now, as 2017 is about to kick off, the outfielder is hoping a revamped swing will make him a hero again.
Another poor start, with some hope for improvement
The beginning of the spring saw Jason Heyward look exactly like he did during 2016 for the Chicago Cubs. He went hitless in his first six games and many who looked at his swing carefully couldn't see one that was going to start providing offense anytime soon. Then, something began to happen. Heyward picked up two hits in a March 6 game against the Los Angeles Angels. Those two hits were a home run and a double. Fans began talking about seeing a return to a more powerful plate appearance and hope began to bloom. The outfielder then went hitless in his next three games and doubt began to creep in again.
Cautious optimism
No, the Chicago Cubs aren't watching Jason Heyward tear the cover off the ball the way someone like Ian Happ is doing this Spring.
On the other hand, Heyward is hitting .250 over his last seven games. The man who might be on the verge of getting benched if he can't pull his offense together is hitting .333 over his last three games. While that seems like an awful small sample size, and it is, Heyward is looking better. It's hard to know exactly what to take away from his performances, considering this is indeed still spring training.
He's facing pitchers that likely won't be on Major League rosters come April. On the other hand, he's shown more life and more pop than we've seen before. It's possible Jason Heyward really has started to turn things around. We're still at the baby steps stage but optimism runs high in Chicago these days.
