David Ross Loves Bunts, Defensive Shifts And More On His Managerial Philosophies
Some Cubs fans are acting like David Ross wasn’t already tabbed as a future manager while he was still playing. He was regarded as a player who had a great feel for the game, learning from hall of fame managers and players during his 15-year career behind the plate and on the bench. Seriously, you all jizz yourselves over catchers making great managers, but because David Ross danced on TV he’s all of a sudden soft and not qualified?
Anyway, The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney summarized my overall thoughts on Ross’ hiring.
So yeah, the modern MLB manager isn’t 100% calling the shots, but that doesn’t mean Ross will be a glorified cheerleader in the dugout. He has his own views, some may align with the front office, while others may not.
During his last MLB season in 2016, Ross was interviewed by David Laurila from Fangraphs. In the article Ross discussed how he’d manage different aspects of the game when he’d be the guy in charge.
Well, that’ll begin in 2020 and here’s a preview of what to expect from Ross as Cubs manager. This was from three years ago, so it is possible Ross’ perspective has changed on a few things.
One of the biggest things that stood out to me is that Ross is all in on defensive shifts.
Via Fangraphs.
“I like shifting. I believe in it. Anything where the numbers show you have a better chance of getting someone out, you do it. I actually don’t think the outfield gets shifted enough. I think it should be moved way more than it is. When I’m behind the plate calling a game, I know that certain guys can’t drive the ball to the opposite field against certain guys I’m catching.
“Those things are constantly being tweaked. I have a couple of ideas about shifting guys who bunt. I’ve come up with a few secrets, although I don’t want to divulge them yet. A lot of pure pull hitters are slow, and there are some things you can do to mess with them.
“I don’t care if Albert Pujols hits a ground ball to the right side of the infield for a base hit. If a pure power hitter like that wants to hit a 10-hopper the other way, that’s fine with me. When guys are changing their approach from what they do best, because of how you aligned your infield, it’s usually a positive.
“I’m a big believer in defense in general. When you don’t give teams extra outs… look at St. Louis and how they play clean baseball. That’s winning baseball, the cleanness of how they make the plays you’re supposed to. And when you hit the ball hard and someone runs it down in the gap, that’s demoralizing. Same thing with shifting. If someone hits a rocket right where you’re shifted, and takes a hit away from you, it demoralizes them.”
More defensive shifting would be a major strategic change for the Cubs under Ross compared to Joe Maddon’s teams. From 2016-19, the Cubs ranked in the bottom three in shifting, finishing last in 2017 and 2019. The Astros have shifted more than any other team in baseball since the start of 2016.
For fans who love small ball, David Ross is here to put a smile on your face.
“I’m probably one of the few guys left who likes the sacrifice bunt. I wouldn’t always use it, but there are scenarios where I like it. For instance, if I have a runner on second with nobody out in a close game, I like moving him to third. If the best way to do that is with a bunt, I’m willing to do that.
“A lot of the time, I’ll want to let my guys fire away. But I’ll also want to be a well-rounded team. I want to be able to play small ball if need be. There comes a time when having that aspect in your game is important. Some people believe in not sacrificing until you need it, but that might mean asking someone to bunt who hasn’t done it all year.”
Hey, so remember how Joe Maddon kept starting Albert Almora Jr. even though it was pretty obvious that Almora was struggling and had no business being in the lineup. But fine, at least Almora wasn’t at the top of the lineup. NOPE! Maddon made things worse by continuing to bat Almora at leadoff despite being one of the worst hitters in the league since last summer.
Simply put, Maddon wasn’t placing his best hitters at the top of the order, instead opting to give the most at-bats to one of the worst hitters on the roster.
Hopefully Ross sticks with this novel concept on lineup construction.
“Overall, I think you need to put your best hitters near the top of the lineup, and your worse hitters near the bottom. You want your best hitters to get more at-bats.”
THANK YOU! It’s really not that complicated.
Ross also talked about wanting speed at the top of the order. That’ll be one giant question mark the Cubs have to solve this offseason, as their leadoff hitters were a disaster in 2019 and there hasn’t been much stability at that spot since 2016.
Those were things that stood out to me, but there’s plenty more for you to check out, including Ross’ thoughts on managing a bullpen, pitch counts, in-game adjustments, working alongside the front office to make game decisions and more. It really gives you a good sense of what type of manager Ross will be and he even shares a few of Maddon’s qualities as a manager.
OK, here’s the last thing that stood out for me.
“I think it’s important for a manager to keep things relaxed and to be the same guy every day. Be cool, calm, and don’t let adverse situations affect you. Make the same moves in the heat of battle. That way, as a player, you know what to expect.”
Ross also believes in a clubhouse policing itself, with veterans leading the way. That’s very much in line with Maddon’s way of handling things in the clubhouse when he was managing the Cubs.
But again, it’s not like Ross isn’t a red ass.
Seriously, if Ross didn’t appear on Dancing With The Stars, you’d be saying he has the fire and passion the Cubs need.