GOODYEAR, Ariz. – David Ross made it clear at the beginning of spring training that the Cubs’ second-base job would have to be earned.
The performance of the players battling for the spot this spring showed that message was received and while each candidate landed haymaker’s during camp, only one would be able to be the team’s starting second baseman.
It was an uphill battle for Bote after Nico Hoerner’ hot start to the spring. It appeared Hoerner was the frontrunner for the job, and with the team signing infielder Eric Sogard early in camp, there were a lot of at-bats to go around.