Seven months in the past, Jason Heyward was not sure of the following step.
He brazenly questioned if his impending offseason launch from the Chicago Cubs may imply the tip of his profession. The Los Angeles Dodgers supplied the perfect setting, nevertheless, and most significantly a transparent path to creating a big-league roster.
Heyward’s recent begin in LA has been accompanied by a robust first impression. While the contact points nonetheless exist, three of the 33-year-old’s 4 hits have been residence runs. It already exceeds his home-run complete with the Cubs final season, when he recorded one in 151 plate appearances. Heyward hasn’t produced a double-digit home-run season since 2019.
He practically slugged his fourth of the season Saturday evening towards his outdated workforce, however Cody Bellinger, within the consolation of his outdated residence, tracked the ball completely to snag it on a leaping catch on the center-field wall and rob Heyward of a two-run homer within the second inning.
“I thought it was a homer off the bat, then he looked like he had a bead on it,” Cubs starter Jameson Taillon stated. “That was one of the best catches I’ve ever seen.”
Patrick Wisdom’s homer within the fifth inning, his fifth of the season, stood as the sport’s lone run till the ninth. With two outs and runners on second and third, Dodgers pinch hitter David Peralta related on Michael Fulmer’s first-pitch cutter for a two-run single to proper and a 2-1, walk-off L.A. victory.
“Going into spring training and just having a chance to fight for a spot on the team, that was really cool,” Heyward stated this weekend. “Obviously I’ve performed it earlier than however not on this place.
“It’s always fun to help. I always want to be a part of a lineup that contributes and adds depth to the team. … We work really hard to have a good approach as a group. It’s fun to come through.”
Heyward didn’t need to get into the specifics of any changes he made to his swing, other than usually citing dangerous habits he developed over the previous few seasons. He wished to get again to being in a constant place to create extra room for error inside his swing.
To put together for his new setting, Heyward spent just a few weeks through the offseason at Dodger Stadium to get snug. He praised the Dodgers hitting coaches and the every day examples and suggestions he can obtain from fellow left-handed hitters on the roster. Although he didn’t reference any of these teammates by title, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy are the 2 most notable lefties.
“You want to have a consistent set of eyes and people who you consistently work with on a daily basis,” Heyward stated. “Being somewhere for seven years, you can see some turnover. I would say it’s not ideal to have a few different hitting coaches, but that’s a part of the game. Especially when you have success, some people are going to move on and get other jobs.”
Heyward isn’t fairly able to envision what his return to Wrigley Field this week will entail when the Dodgers go to for a four-game collection starting Thursday. He final appeared in a Cubs residence recreation June 19 however didn’t know on the time it will be his final. Heyward went on the injured listing June 30 due to a knee harm and didn’t play in one other recreation for the Cubs.
The Cubs are on the hook this season for the ultimate $21,280,000 of Heyward’s eight-year, $184 million contract.
“I’ll settle in for sure and think about it as we get closer,” Heyward stated of his return. “But I’ve done that before. I’ve been a visitor at Wrigley Field. But it’ll be cool to see people.”
Heyward witnessed one core dissolve and the beginnings of what the Cubs hope are their subsequent championship cornerstones after extending the contracts of Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner to maintain them alongside Dansby Swanson and Seiya Suzuki. Heyward was thrilled to see Happ and Hoerner rewarded for his or her laborious work.
“Teams have money, they spend it on who they want to spend it on,” Heyward stated. “That’s something that’s always been the case. I love them to death. Been to battle with them, spent numerous hours with them off the field. Really happy for them and their families — they definitely deserve it. The Cubs didn’t miss on those two guys character-wise or as far as what they can do on the field.”
Happ and Hoerner have grown into greater management roles the final two years, usually crediting Heyward for the influence he had on them. Heyward’s legacy in a Cubs uniform will proceed to final past the World Series title and his charitable work within the metropolis.
“I had guys do the same for me,” Heyward stated. “It’s nice to be able to pass that along. I think that’s the biggest part of the game, the fraternity we have and guys being able to relate and share perspective to make it easier on the next group.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com