(670 The Score) By signing star shortstop Dansby Swanson this offseason and sliding Nico Hoerner over to second base, the Cubs have left Nick Madrigal without a regular position to play.
In spring training, Madrigal is now getting the opportunity to prove himself at third base, a new position he hasn’t played before. It’s an adjustment for a player who has sometimes struggled defensively, though Cubs manager David Ross believes Madrigal is handling the work well.
“I’ve been impressed,” Ross told reporters Thursday at Cubs camp in Mesa, Arizona. “He’s moving really well. Feels like a totally different player than we saw last year where he looked like he was guarded at times and it was hard work to run. The first ball that was hit to him in the infield – (Cubs bench coach Andy Green) hit it pretty hard after hitting balls in the gap on the infield, outfield – moved his feet, gobbled it up well and threw a nice strong throw. He’s moving well. The arm strength is there.
“Live BP yesterday, he was line drives right, left, getting reads off the bat. You can tell he’s in a really good place mentally and physically.”
The No. 4 overall pick of the White Sox in the 2018 MLB Draft, Madrigal has only played second base or served as the designated hitter over 142 career games at the big league level. Madrigal, 25, struggled in 2022, hitting .249 with no homers, seven RBIs and a .588 OPS in 59 games.
The Cubs acquired Madrigal in July 2021 in a trade that sent reliever Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox. The Cubs also landed reliever Codi Heuer as part of the trade package.
Heuer was placed on the 60-day injured list Monday as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery last year.
The Cubs play their first Cactus League game Saturday, when they host the Giants. Right-hander Marcus Stroman has been named the team’s starter for the spring training opener.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker