Kris Bryant could play for big-league Cubs this weekend
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that he has not been told a date when third-base prospect Kris Bryant will be called up from Class AAA Iowa.
The feeling among most observers is that Bryant will be up sooner rather than later - if not this weekend at Wrigley Field, then on next week's road trip.
Maddon will make out the lineup card once Bryant is here, putting him in a spot in the batting order and at either third base or left field. Third base is Bryant's natural position, and with Mike Olt's wrist still sore, there is an opening for power production.
Even with all that, Maddon said all parties will confer.
"For me, honestly, it's always collective, especially coming in new," he said. "I really do listen a lot. Even when I've been in a place for a period of time, I do like to listen. At the end of the day, I'll have to make the final decision, but I definitely like to accumulate data.
"I'll have strong opinions on what I think in regards to what to do and how to do it, but I'm definitely going to listen to both the minor-league guys, major-league guys who have him and, of course, the front-office people and the evaluators."
Maddon added that he likes that Bryant is willing to play the outfield.
"Sometimes the attempt to put somebody where there is a need even though it might not be the most comfortable spot," he said. "What I saw in spring training - and again I don't know enough yet - I thought he looked pretty good at third base. His arm definitely plays. His feet play. That's where I'm at: feet and hands. Anytime I evaluate a baseball player, whether it's defensively or offensively, I look at their feet first and then move up the body.
"That's kind of a nice thing to have, to have a player that young amenable to doing more than one thing. It doesn't happen all the time."
More versatility:
Left fielder Chris Coghlan moved to both third base and second base in the series against the Reds. Before this season, he had appeared in 8 career games at third and only 2 at second.
Joe Maddon said he is mindful of that even though he likes Coghlan's versatility and willingness to play other positions. The concern at second base is Coghlan's well-being.
"My discomfort level is the double play," Maddon said. "The fact that the guy hasn't played second base in awhile, the double play bothers me. With your back to the runner, what can possibly happen? That's the part I don't like."