Uncustomed Heroes of 2019: Cubs

Bit of a step backward for our heroic Cubs.

This team...could not win away from home. They just couldn't. They were 33-48 on the road, and they couldn't keep this from stopping them. It was very sad, even if they made a lot of impressive steps forward.

Kyle Schwarber did his usual thing. He hit 38 home runs, a personal best, with a .250 average, another personal best, and 92 RBIs, also a high. But, he also struck out 156 times...which was ALSO a career high.
Why Him in 2019?: 38 home runs.
2020 Prediction: Hopefully he hits a bit more for average.

 Albert Almora was sent down to the minors this year, and I'm still not sure why. He had a reasonably strong year, and is still a great defender, despite his batting numbers taking a dip this year.
Why Him in 2019?: His call-down makes it possible for the Castellanos deal.
2020 Prediction: More playing time, and an improvement in terms of batting average.

 This was the year of Yu Darvish's comeback, where after a slow start he finally got back to his old tricks, with a 2.76 average and 118 strikeouts in the second half alone.
Why Him in 2019?: Might have been the only constant force of good in the Cubs rotation this year.
2020 Prediction: The ERA lowers even more, the wins rise, and the Cubs have themselves a Cy Young candidate. Like they wanted all along.

 The Cubs' backup catcher, Victor Caratini, became a bench force and lineup presence in the wake of Willson Contreras' injury. In 95 games, he hit .266 with 34 RBIs. Not bad at all.
Why Him in 2019?: Proves the Cubs have found a new backup catcher since losing Grandpa Rossy.
2020 Prediction: More concrete backup numbers, and an audition to start somewhere in 2021.

 Ben Zobrist's year was...tumultuous to say the least. He missed a ton of time due to his messy divorce proceedings, but once he returned, he was mostly his old self, hitting .284 in 21 games.
Why Him in 2019?: Comeback story of the year, even if it didn't involve cancer.
2020 Prediction: Either he winds up on a bench for a month, or he retires.

 One of the more important bullpen arms the Cubs had this year was Steve Cishek, far removed from his botched closing numbers after his breakout in Miami. Cishek became a great middle relief man, with a 2.95 ERA in 64 appearances.
Why Him in 2019?: Proved he can still be of use in relief.
2020 Prediction: A contender will sign him, and he will disappoint them.

 Speaking of disappointments, Craig Kimbrel in Chicago everybody. The closer everybody thought was indestructible finally had a human year after sitting out for a contract. The numbers he waited for? A 6.53 ERA with 13 saves in 23 appearances.
Why Him in 2019?: [plays Paramore's 'That's What You Get' faintly in the background]
2020 Prediction: Fuller year, better numbers. This will be a year more reminiscent of Kimbrel's heyday. You'll be hearing Stranglehold a lot in Wrigley this year.

 And...the big trade deadline acquisition. Nicholas Castellanos. Man, was this a smart pickup for the Cubs. Castellanos took off like a train, hitting .321 in 51 games, with 16 home runs and 36 RBIs (more than Almora in 130 games).
Why Him in 2019?: Might have been the biggest post-trade glow-up in the MLB this year.
2020 Prediction: Gets a juicy contract to play somewhere fancy for a few years. Will possibly touch his 2019 numbers once.

 Jonathan Lucroy's 2019 season was...odd. His Angels numbers were down from his usual averages, both offensively and defensively, and post-Cubs trade he performed...less-than-adequately, hitting .189 in 27 games, despite some early clutch RBIs.
Why Him in 2019?: Lucroy ends the decade in the same place he started it- with no expectations.
2020 Prediction: Dare I say it...backing someone up.

Nico Hoerner was my favorite feel-good story of the year for the Cubs. Addison Russell, Javier Baez and Daniel Descalso all get injured. The Cubs need a shortstop (Zo'll take 2nd), so they go into DOUBLE-A, to a guy who thought his season was over after an injury, and say 'Hey, Nico, you free to play short for a few games?'. So in comes Nico Hoerner, a year after being drafted, and he does amazingly, hitting .282 in 20 games, with 17 RBIs. The man is 22 and he's playing like a pro. I love to see it.
Why Him in 2019?: Proves that rookies can be ready at any time.
2020 Prediction: Will start in AAA, will probably get called up mid-year and continue what he started this year.

Coming Tomorrow- In between Card Show posts, some musings about a surprisingly impressive Diamondbacks team.