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.

Uncustomed Heroes of Baseball: Marlins

If there's one team to keep an eye out for in 2015, it is this one. The Marlins are a young team, filled with young parts and strong pieces.

Giancarlo Stanton is one of the best pure hitters in the NL. And the Marlins should be ridiculously glad that they secured him for another bunch of seasons.

Casey McGehee had a nice comeback season, after a few seasons of being a backup in a few different squads. Next season he'll be taking over for Pablo Sandoval in San Francisco.

Great Stadium Club shot of one of the best pitchers in Miami's rotation. Once Fernandez returns, him and Alvarez will be a great combo.

Marcell Ozuna could be one of the bats the Marlins could need if they want to contend. He's a great outfielder, and I hope they hold onto him.

Christian Yelich is a nice infield bat, who had another great season this year.

Steve Cishek is their closer, and is a modest, workable closer that can definitely keep going for them.

Coming Tomorrow- The Mets' standouts

Uncustomed Heroes of Baseball: Marlins

 Even for a crappy team like the Miami Marlins, I still have to rake in some really, really good customs. So, here's an awesome custom of their mediocre closer Steve Cishek. I mean, he's good, but since he plays for Miami, he's mediocre.

And, here's Juan Pierre, one of my favorite players, sporting a cool throwback and just being an all around awesome player, because he's Juan Pierre.

Coming Tomorrow- A few Mets.