Chicago Cubs News: Patrick Wisdom named Player of the Week

The Chicago Cubs’ middle infield depth took a hit over the course of the past month with injuries to Matt Duffy, David Bote, and Nico Hoerner. Fortunately for the Cubs, the team has received a shot in the arm from veteran journeyman Patrick Wisdom.

Through his first 13 games with the Cubs and 36 plate appearances, Wisdom has ignited the team’s offense. Wisdom currently has a slash line of .412/.444/1.088/1.533 with 7 home runs and 10 RBIs. For Wisdom, most of his success was due to the hot streak of games that he has put together for the Cubs over the course of the past week.

Last week alone, Wisdom compiled a .435 batting average along with 6 home runs and 9 RBIs. Therefore, it should be no surprise that Wisdom was named the National League Player of the Week for his efforts last week.

Wisdom’s two-home run performance on Sunday in the Cubs’ victory over the San Francisco Giants was the reason why the Cubs were able to avoid a four-game sweep over the weekend. Wisdom’s emergence has led to questions over the construction of the Cubs’ roster over the course of the rest of the season.

Patrick Wisdom is making a case that he should stay on the Chicago Cubs roster.

Before we dive into what Wisdom’s emergence means for the rest of the Cubs’ roster, let’s first enter the necessary caveat. That caveat being that Major League pitchers are going to adjust to Wisdom and eventually find a way to get him out. Once they do, it will be on Wisdom to adjust and maintain his success.

Factoring in the regression and operating under the theory that Wisdom will still be competent Major League Hitter, the question surfaces of what becomes of the Major League Roster. The initial question to that answer is nothing. While it seems likely that Duffy will return within the next week from his back strain, the Cubs are currently carrying 14 pitchers so it would seem likely that the team would simply demote a reliever such as Cory Abbot.

Where the Cubs will truly need to make an important decision is when both Bote and Hoerner are healthy. Once Bote and Hoerner are healthy, it seems likely that the Cubs will decide between either Wisdom or Eric Sogard to keep on the Major League roster. Considering that Sogard’s 2021 OPS of .610 is an indicator that his struggles from the 2020 season have continued, the case should be made that the Cubs should DFA the veteran second baseman.

Even factoring in the eventual regression from Wisdom, he still provides the Cubs with more flexibility than Sogard. Sogard, at this stage of his career, is mostly only a second base position whereas Wisdom can play third base, second base, and the corner outfield spots. For now, though, Patrick Wisdom is the defending National League Player of the Week and the Chicago Cubs will need to ride the hot hand for as long as it lasts.