5 reasons why Chicago Cubs are poised for 2018 World Series run

The Cubs have a new and improved version of a guy who has never doubted his abilities, yet saw a down year in 2017.

Kyle Schwarber is best known for his uncanny ability to hit the ball really, really far. In comparison to his hot start as a rookie in 2015, last year was considered a setback.

2016 was a lost season for Schwarber after playing just two games due to injury, although he came back to appear in the World Series and came up with some big hits.

Last year, Schwarber batted just .211 but still came up with 30 home runs. Typically, when someone hits 30 home runs, it is a far cry from a “down year.” For Schwarber, though, it was certainly a year to forget in some respects.

Schwarber was even demoted to AAA at one point, with being noted he needed to work on his skills a bit more and some even saying he had to “find himself” again. After returning from his short stint down there, Schwarber came back noticeably better, but still not the same.

He took it upon himself this offseason to lose 30 pounds and completely changed his lifestyle in terms of health. It showed in Spring Training, as he managed to steal four bases. The startling significance of that number is that it represents his total stolen bases over his regular season career — and he did it through 19 games this spring.

Schwarber also hit .333 over those games with four homers, three doubles and a triple. If he can translate his success in spring training and in the kitchen over to the regular season, Schwarber is poised for a monster 2018 season — and the Cubs will go very, very deep into October because of him.