Da Windy City
Fansided

Chicago Cubs: Jon Jay be primary leadoff hitter

By Matthew Squires

Apr 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Jon Jay (30) singles against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Jon Jay (30) singles against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

It is time for Jon Jay to be the primary leadoff hitter for the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon is unique and often times makes quirky decisions. Or at least the decisions seem quirky to those outside the team. He has slotted Anthony Rizzo, one of the best hitters in the National League, in the leadoff spot recently. Rizzo batting first has been fun, but it is not a long-term solution.

The time has come for Joe Maddon to make a calculated decision. Jon Jay needs to be getting more playing time and batting leadoff. The Chicago Cubs have not gotten the production out of their center fielders they expected. In fact, I would not be surprised to see the Cubs make a move at the trade deadline for an outfielder.

Aside from Jay’s subpar defense, he is as good of a leadoff hitter as there is on this team. He hits for a good average, gets on base at a high clip and is a fantastic base runner.

Kyle Schwarber, Ben Zobrist, Ian Happ and Javier Baez have all tried their hand at the leadoff spot and none of them have them stuck.

Schwarber has struggled this season, Zobrist has been battling a sore wrist for much of the year and pitchers have adjusted to Ian Happ very quickly.

Jon Jay is a veteran and always seems to put together professional at-bats. Jay is slashing .298/.383/.385. He is not a power threat but the team has plenty of that.

The veteran center fielder has seen 4.18 pitches per plate appearance which puts him just outside the top 20 in the league. He battles at the plate and often fouls off good pitches. Jay is a tough out and that is a perfect attribute for a leadoff hitter.

Jon Jay needs to be the newest to ride the merry go round of the leadoff batting position. He will set the tone for Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist and the rest of the Cubs’ offense.

The time to experiment needs to end. It is time to put the best players in the lineup. Jon Jay is the best leadoff hitter on the Cubs’ roster at this point.

Next: Does Schwarber to the Yankees make more sense now?

Schwarber and Happ belong in them middle of the lineup considering the power they have showcased. Jay is not a perfect leadoff option but he is the best option for this current Cubs’ roster.

Home/Chicago Cubs