The Cubs' initial plan for Jason Heyward this spring is to start him in two consecutive games, followed by a day off as he attempts to get in a consistent rhythm with his modified swing.
Cubs manager Maddon observed that Heyward’s swing looks freer as the result of lowering his hands and holding his bat vertically.
"It’s a new toy, but the toy has a lot of potential benefits," Maddon said Sunday before Heyward went 0-for-2 with a walk and two strikeouts. "I think there's a pretty good year out there for him."
The challenge, however, will get more difficult when Heyward faces tougher pitching as the Cubs get closer to the regular season. But Maddon has observed the smoothness in Heyward’s modified swing.
"His hands are working so much better," Maddon said. "Our game, as a hitter, is played between your finger tips and elbows. Guys who have this a little bit long, a little bit 'arm-y,' we call it the military swing. Get it?
"You want to keep it out of the elbows to the shoulders. That's when you get trouble. You get sweepy and long. If you can engage from your elbows to your fingertips, and use your hands and wrists, … . They talk about Hank Aaron, that's where it happens. That's what I'm seeing now."
Heyward handled the designated hitter duties and looked at a called-third strike in the third inning and was called out on a checked swing in the fifth.
Caption Cubs manager Joe Maddon on World Series Game 7 and spring trainingCubs manager Joe Maddon on World Series Game 7 and spring training.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon on World Series Game 7 and spring training.
Caption Cubs manager Joe Maddon on World Series Game 7 and spring trainingCubs manager Joe Maddon on World Series Game 7 and spring training.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon on World Series Game 7 and spring training.
Caption Jason Heyward on level of comfort with new swing, support from CubsCubs right fielder Jason Heyward discusses his comfort level with his new swing and the support from the organization on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward discusses his comfort level with his new swing and the support from the organization on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Mike Montgomery on his expected role with Cubs, first exhibition startCubs pitcher Mike Montgomery discusses his upcoming role with the team this season and reacts to his first exhibition outing in which he threw one scoreless inning on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs pitcher Mike Montgomery discusses his upcoming role with the team this season and reacts to his first exhibition outing in which he threw one scoreless inning on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Manager Joe Maddon on the Cubs' first games, at-bats and lineupsManager Joe Maddon talks about the Cubs' first games, at-bats and lineups. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Manager Joe Maddon talks about the Cubs' first games, at-bats and lineups. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer on Pedro Strop's contract extensionCubs general manager Jed Hoyer discusses the contract extension of reliever Pedro Strop on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer discusses the contract extension of reliever Pedro Strop on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
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