7 years agoMark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon said “four players (are) under consideration for leadoff spot. Kris Bryant is not in that group.” It should be no surprise that the former National League MVP won’t be atop the Cubs lineup, as he should remain in the two-hole. First baseman Anthony Rizzo also put to rest the thought of him batting first the other day. Outfielders Albert Almora and Kyle Schwarber, along with infielders/outfielders Ben Zobrist and Ian Happ, remain the likeliest candidates. Maddon plans to play the matchups, so there likely won’t be a clear-cut name in the leadoff spot. Schwarber and Happ are good mid-round targets and Almora is worth a look late in drafts. Zobrist will likely have a lesser role in 2018 and could be avoided altogether.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBaller
Source: Mark Gonzales