PHOENIX _ The Cubs' unconventional possibilities for the leadoff spot don't include Kris Bryant, but manager Joe Maddon will consider at least four candidates.
"We're going to try to audition the dudes we think might be in that spot," Maddon said Friday before putting switch hitter Ian Happ at the top against the Brewers in the exhibition opener. "There's nothing that can be read into it yet. We're going to audition people. It's a spring training lineup."
Maddon likes the idea of batting a switch hitter first, and veteran Ben Zobrist and Happ fit that profile. However, Maddon also looks at how the lineup shakes out with the batters directly behind the leadoff spot.
"(Using a switch hitter) should be an advantage, but sometimes it's not an advantage," Maddon said.
Albert Almora Jr. is another leadoff candidate, and Maddon smirked when he brought up the fact he used slugger Anthony Rizzo at the top for 14 games last season and Willson Contreras for two.
Happ had a .334 on-base percentage from the left side and .313 from the right side as a rookie in 2017.
Happ said he felt good after hitting a deep drive to left and grounding out in his two at-bats at the top of the order.
"Any spot is good to hit in," Happ said. "Batting leadoff, to be able to set the table for these guys would be great."
Happ said there was no conversation with Maddon prior to batting leadoff.
"I was there to lead off, get two at-bats and thought it went well," Happ said.
