Fansided

Fantasy baseball: 2020 Chicago Cubs fantasy preview

By Mike Marteny

The Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez hits a two-run home rum in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. The Cubs won, 6-3. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez hits a two-run home rum in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. The Cubs won, 6-3. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images) /
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PEORIA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 24: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs stands on deck alongside Anthony Rizzo #44 during the first inning of the MLB spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2020 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2020 Chicago Cubs projected starting lineup:

Kris Bryant, 3B (.282, 31 HR, 77 RBI, 4 SB in 543 AB)
Anthony Rizzo, 1B (.293, 27 HR, 94 RBI, 5 SB in 512 AB)
Javier Baez, SS (.281, 29 HR, 85 RBI, 11 SB in 531 AB)
Kyle Schwarber, LF (.250, 38 HR, 92 RBI, 2 SB in 529 AB)
Willson Contreras, C (.272, 24 HR, 64 RBI, 1 SB in 360 AB)
Jason Heyward, RF (.251, 21 HR, 62 RBI, 8 SB in 513 AB)
Jason Kipnis, 2B (.245, 17 HR, 65 RBI, 7 SB in 458 AB with CLE)
Ian Happ, CF (.264, 11 HR, 30 RBI, 2 SB in 140 AB)

Many people were ragging on the Cubs last year, but most of the fantasy assets were still valuable to the team. Bryant wasn’t a top tier 3B, but whatever he lacked in RBI he will make up in runs at the top of the order. Rizzo’s numbers are still strong across the board. Both are strong picks if you miss out on the top tier grabbing pitching or positions with a steep drop.

Baez is just outside the top at SS. He may even flash more power than Correa and Lindor, but he wont get you the speed. Again, he’s another great option for those that miss out on the top tier.

Schwarber might have the most raw power in the majors and he’s going to play against most lefties again. The average will hurt a little, but he’ll fight for the league lead in homers.

Contreras is going outside the top tier of catchers, but maybe he shouldn’t. 360 AB could be about what he gets this year. If he hits 24 homers in that span again, he could lead all catchers in homers. I wouldn’t draft him over Sanchez, but I can see Contreras being the second catcher off the board.

The whole bottom third of the order are likely in platoons with Steven Souza, David Bote, and Albert Almora, respectively. Leave this whole thing alone unless you are in NL-only or very deep leagues. The good part is that you can usually figure out who’s going to play on any given day based on the opposing pitcher.

Prospects to watch:

One of the bottom three will lose their job to Nico Hoerner. He hit .305 in 78 at bats last year and drove in a whopping 17 runs. I would draft Hoerner over any of the bottom three. He has gone as high as the sixth round. I don’t know that I would pay that in a standard league, but he’s a strong player at a weak position. I see why people do. Every draft plays out differently. Hoerner will be one of the young players I’m willing to reach for. There aren’t many.

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