Projected Cubs Lineup in 2020 With Kris Bryant as Leadoff Hitter

The Chicago Cubs and Kris Bryant have had a weird relationship this offseason. The third baseman lost his service time grievance against the team, meaning he is firmly under team control through the 2021 season, bolstering his trade value.

As of now, though, Bryant is in camp with the team and proceeding as normal, leaving the business side of the game to his agent.

That's all well and good, considering his on-field life is about to change in a major way. The latest scuttlebutt is Bryant will open the year as the Cubs' leadoff hitter.

This sets up a dominant Cubs lineup in 2020, but one that'll look drastically different.

Cubs Projected Lineup With Kris Bryant Batting Leadoff

Kris Bryant, 3B

Anthony Rizzo, 1B

Javier Baez, SS

Kyle Schwarber, LF

Wilson Contreras, C

Jason Heyward, RF

Ian Happ, CF

Jason Kipnis, 2B

Pitcher's Spot

Familiar faces fill the projected lineup for the Cubs. Getting Bryant in the leadoff spot adds consistency to an area that has affected production in the lineup for years. It also ensures an MVP-caliber player like Bryant maximizes his at-bats throughout the year.

The top four players in this lineup all hit at least 27 home runs last season, and all had at least 29 doubles. It is a stacked order that will get a boost from Bryant's career .385 on-base percentage.

Jason Kipnis is the lone new face in this projection, and his job status is still in question after signing a minor-league deal with the team.

Keeping Bryant means the Cubs are once again contenders in 2020. Putting him at the top of the lineup ensures the team can get off to a hot start on offense in all 162 games.