Chicago Cubs: Top 5 team MVP candidates
No. 3: Ben Zobrist
Perhaps the most underrated player on the Cubs roster in 2018 has been Ben Zobrist.
After struggling mightily during the 2017 season, many thought Zobrist’s days as a threat in the Chicago lineup may be over. He slashed just .232/.318/.375 while battling through injuries last year.
This year, Zobrist has pieced together a season that looks remarkably similar to his first on the North Side.
| Year | G | PA | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 147 | 631 | 94 | 142 | 31 | 3 | 18 | 76 | 6 | 96 | 82 | .272 | .386 | .446 | .831 | 121 |
| 2018 | 132 | 490 | 64 | 134 | 27 | 2 | 9 | 57 | 3 | 53 | 58 | .314 | .387 | .450 | .836 | 120 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
He’s gotten more off days this season in order to keep him healthy, and it’s paid off. Zobrist has created runs 28 percent better than a league-average hitter, a rate that’s actually 4 percent better than his 2016 statistics.
Zobrist’s ability to move around the field and play second base, left field, right field, and first base has been invaluable as the Cubs have dealt with injuries to Bryant, Schwarber, Heyward, and Addison Russell at varying points throughout the season.
He hasn’t done it in a dramatic fashion, but Zobrist has been a reliable bat in an otherwise unreliable offense.
The home run power is seemingly slipping away, but his ability to put the bat on the ball and get on base is almost unparalleled. Zobrist’s .314 batting average is the third best in the National League and his .387 OBP is good for eighth.
Following perhaps the most difficult year of his career, the 2016 World Series MVP has bounced back and could be the leading candidate for the Comeback Player of the Year Award.