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Chicago Cubs: Predicting the Opening Day Lineup

By Dan Schmelzer

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Willson Contreras Chicago Cubs
Oct 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) singles in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

6. C Willson Contreras

Catchers Miguel Montero and David Ross have both been extremely important parts of the Cubs’ success over the last two seasons. That being said, the aging backstops can not hold a candle to the upside that Willson Contreras brings to the table.

Contreras is an extremely athletic player for a catcher, and he also shows massive offensive upside. Contreras was not expected to make his big league debut in 2016, but he forced his way to the majors and contributed in a big way.

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At 24-years-old, Contreras hit .282/.357/.488 with 12 home runs in only 252 at-bats during his rookie season. He was also a major contributor throughout the post-season, coming up with big RBI hits when the Cubs needed it the most.

Defensively, Contreras has the raw skills to be one of the greats. He is extremely quick and athletic behind the plate, showing the ability to make plays on balls that no catcher has the business to be making. He also possesses a strong throwing arm and really grew as a strong leader of the pitching staff over the year.

Contreras is not an elite pitch framer at the moment, but he has shown flashes of being great in that department as well. Contreras really grew as a catcher throughout the season, seemingly learning a ton from Ross and Montero on the fly.

In 2016, Contreras was a part-time catcher who saw some time in the outfield so the Cubs could get his bat in there as much as possible. However in 2017, he will be the everyday catcher. Montero will surely get a handful of starts to keep Contreras fresh, but this is now the young guy’s job.

Hitting behind Russell at sixth in the lineup is seemingly a strong place for the massive offensive upside that Contreras brings to the table. A catcher that can hit can be an extremely valuable weapon and Contreras has the ability to produce at an elite-level.

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