SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Dexter Fowler was an excellent leadoff hitter for the Cubs in 2015 and 2016, so much so that the team barely needed anyone else in the role.
Fowler led off in 146 of the 162 games in 2015, and 118 of 161 in 2016 (the smaller number in 2016 was due to an injury that caused Fowler to miss 37 games).
Last year? With Fowler gone, Joe Maddon had to mix and match. Jon Jay wound up leading off in the most games in 2017, but that was just 51 times.