Is it true? Could it be? Jason Heyward is actually contributing with his bat! Heyward has been quietly sneaking his way back into the conversation offensively for this young and exciting Cubs team. His plate presence as of late is unlike the Heyward we have all become accustomed to over the past year and a half or so. In 2015, Heyward signed that massive eight-year one hundred and eighty-four million dollar deal making him the highest paid player in the clubhouse. Nobody will ever know, but I believe that money scared the baseball out of him for a while and up until these last couple months Heyward was never really able to get his bat going in Chicago.

Coming into this season there was a lot of talk about Jason Heyward working extremely hard on his swing and mechanics at the plate and Cubs fans were stoked, maybe the problem will be solved! The after only a month into the regular season, everyone is calling for his head and wants him to pack his bags. Although Heyward has experienced continuous struggles on the offensive side, he still has earned his paycheck in my opinion. He plays a tremendous role in the clubhouse for the younger guys who are still learning the ropes and adapting to the major leagues and the work he does defensively is unmatched not just for the Cubs but across the league. Nevertheless, what the people want is offensive production by way of hits and homeruns, and recently that is exactly what they are getting. In the last two weeks Heyward has been batting just under .400 and .328 over the last month. I am not sure if this recent success has been anything more than a mirage but regardless it has been nice to see Heyward find his bat and pick up some confidence at the plate. The new Heyward is assertive and aggressive, driving balls into gaps, running the bases more efficiently, and making solid contact on pitches. Needless to say, he has been very exciting to watch.

I myself was fortunate enough to be at the Cubs-Phillies game last week when he smashed that walk-off grand slam into right field. The crowd was electric, and it was so satisfying for fellow Cubs fans and myself to see success from the player we all know Heyward can be. This was no offensive slouch, this was confident and poised Jason Heyward showing us all why he is here. It may be too soon, and I would hate to jinx it, but from what Heyward has displayed this last month speaks volumes to me and I see no reason for him to be jettisoned off at the deadline or for him to start seeing more bench time. Seeing this growing confidence and success at the plate is even more exciting for the Cubs organization as they have gotten dangerously hot over the past weeks and now see themselves positioned atop the NL Central.

Something special is in the air in the Windy City, and I cannot wait to watch it all unfold.

- Bailey Luy

edited by Jack Kurtz