Tauchman Trying To Take Advantage Of Opportunity At Cubs' Spring Training

Seiya Suzuki is out with a strained oblique, clearing the way for Mike Tauchman to receive a lot more playing time.

Mike Tauchman arrived at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., as a longshot to earn a spot on the 26-man roster with the Chicago Cubs.

His odds have since improved dramatically.

With right fielder Seiya Suzuki out with a strained oblique, Tauchman has received playing time with a .600 batting average through his first five games.

Not bad for a player who spent last season in the Korean Baseball Organization and was invited to camp as a non-roster invitee.

Tauchman hit .289 with 12 home runs, 37 doubles and 43 RBI in 144 games for the Hanwha Eagles.

‘‘You can just tell he’s been around and has got time in the big leagues, knows how to handle his at-bats,’’ Cubs manager David Ross said of Tauchman. ‘‘The things that stood out early were calm approach, better outfielder than I expected, thinks through his at-bats, thinks through his swing, feels like he controls the zone really well and making solid contact.’’

Tauchman made his Major League debut in June of 2017 and has spent time in the Rockies, Yankees and Giants organizations.

In 2019, Tauchman hit .277 with 13 homers and 47 RBI for the Yankees.

‘‘I’m here to try to earn a spot on the team,’’ Tauchman said. ‘‘I think that’s what everybody is really trying to do, get to the big leagues and stay in the big leagues and compete in the big leagues. I still think that I have something to offer, so I’m going to keep playing as long as I think I have something to offer.’’

He certainly does. That much is obvious so far. Even if Tauchman doesn’t start the season in Wrigley Field, he has more than proven his mettle in spring training.

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