Cubs' Joe Maddon Plans To Bat Pitcher 9th (Usually)

(CBS) After often batting his pitcher eighth and then-rookie shortstop Addison Russell ninth in 2015, Cubs manager Joe Maddon acknowledged Wednesday that he plans to go back to the more traditional approach.

Maddon indicated he's likely to bat his pitcher ninth in 2016, in large part because he's been pleased with Russell's progress.

"The development of Addison was really important last year," Maddon said Wednesday. "And I thought if he had hit eighth in front of the pitcher that would've thwarted his development somewhat. I liked him in the nine-hole. We were talking about the two-hole with (Anthony) Rizzo a lot and (Kris) Bryant a lot (in 2015) and trying to get a position player to get on base more consistently to feed the two. This year, I think the dynamic's going to be a little bit different, and I also believe Addy can hold his own a lot better. It (batting the pitcher eighth) may still happen on occasion. Again, I have separate thoughts regarding that. You may still see it, but not with the same consistency."

In 2015, 398 of Russell's 475 at-bats came with him hitting ninth. He hit .246 with a .720 OPS in such situations, with Maddon's belief being he'd get better pitches to hit with the top of the order following.

Russell hit .242 with 13 homers, 54 RBIs and a .696 OPS for the season.