WATCH: Jed Hoyer praises Cubs "fantastic" performances to open season

Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - 6 hours ago

Chicago Cubs president of operations Jed Hoyer spoke to media ahead of the Cubs' home opener against the San Diego Padres to talk how the team has played so far, what improvements he's seen from last season and more.

Watch the pregame video below:

Video summary/cliff-notes:

Strong Early Season Energy (00:00–00:27)

Jed Hoyer praises the Cubs' aggressive base running, strong defense, and overall energy, calling their start “fantastic,” especially considering the challenges of travel and exhibition games.

Roster Improvements (00:27–01:23)

Hoyer believes the current roster is better than last year’s on both paper and in reality, noting Craig Counsell’s input during the offseason.

Athleticism and Base Running Emphasis (01:23–03:21)

The Cubs are focusing on aggressive and smart base running as a key strength. Coaches like Quinton Berry and José Javier have emphasized base running fundamentals through regular chalk talks.

Impact of New Star Tucker Barnhart (04:16–04:45)

Hoyer discusses Tucker’s openness to a long-term future with the Cubs but keeps contract discussions internal, expressing excitement over his presence in the lineup.

Development of Young Talent (e.g., Matt Shaw) (05:17–06:40)

Shaw is highlighted as a hardworking young player who will contribute while continuing to develop. Veterans help provide lineup support to ease younger players into the league.

“Torpedo Bat” Innovation (07:06–09:38)

The Cubs have been developing and testing the new “torpedo bat” for over a year. It’s not a copycat trend, and veterans like Dansby Swanson adopting it helps drive team-wide acceptance.

Depth and Diversity of Lineup (10:44–11:34)

Hoyer emphasizes the importance of lineup depth, allowing the team to score from any spot and avoiding weak innings. He compares it to the 2023 Diamondbacks' strong lineup.

Upgraded Catching Position (12:02–12:59)

The addition of Carson and the improvement of Amaya have significantly strengthened the catcher position, which Hoyer says was necessary and now looks much improved.

Veteran Presence and Leadership (13:39–14:40)

Players like Kyle Tucker bring quality at-bats and consistency, helping balance early-season adjustments and supporting younger teammates.

Challenging Schedule and Mindset (15:11–16:47)

The Cubs face a tough early schedule, including multiple games against top teams and travel. Hoyer stresses focusing on controllable elements like base running and defense rather than early results.