The Endless Summer by Mike Tauchman

NEW YORK – Mike Tauchman wants to prove with his play that his performance in 2023 was not just a summer adventure. Chicago Cubs fans called 2023 The Summer of Tauchman. It was meant as a term of endearment and most took it that way, including Tauchman. But it could very easily have been taken as a suggestion that Tauchman’s success was just a fad. A fleeting moment during a fun few months where the Cubs looked like surprise playoff contenders.

“I took it as fan support and recognition,” Tauchman said. “It was just something people shouted at me. It doesn’t really affect me because I feel like I’ve earned the trust of my teammates and the people in the building. I like being here and playing for the team. I don’t see it as a moment. It was fun last summer, but last summer is last summer. I’m trying to concentrate on things now.”

And right now, Tauchman is performing at a level that makes it difficult to keep him out of the lineup. Even before outfielders Seiya Suzuki and Cody Bellinger were injured, manager Craig Counsell knew writing Tauchman’s name into the lineup was a must.

“He’s just so good at getting to the basics,” Counsell said. “His ball striking (recognition) is so good and in the last week the strength has emerged. For many guys, it’s a good stretch. But his basic skills are pretty consistent. You get that from him.”

Tauchman has recorded 10 extra-base hits this season, including eight in the past two weeks. Tauchman, who was told he would make the team upon entering camp, said in the spring he would mess with his approach and be more aggressive during those games. He wanted to see if he could take some risks and drive the ball more often.

Is that March approach now paying off? Tauchman wasn’t sure about that, but also pointed out that after spending the 2022 season in Korea, there were a lot of pitchers that were new to him last season and he was working on getting that “comfort” back at the plate . But some specific adjustments are also taking place.

“I will say that when I feel like I’m getting passive, I try to make the effort to recognize that right away and say, ‘Hey, even for this next at-bat, let’s just turn this around and be more aggressive.’ ” said Tauchman. “Even if it’s too much, I feel like on most things it’s easier to hit the gas than to hit the gas. I’d rather be too aggressive, especially early in the count, when I can identify some opportunities that I can eliminate certain favorable matchups or whatever.

Tauchman said he decided to change that approach slightly in Arizona. He maintained his new aggressiveness, but realized he was trying to pull the ball too much early in the season.

“I decided that when I was going to get leverage, I would keep that intent, but just in the middle of the field because that’s my strength as a hitter,” Tauchman said. “You always make those micro adjustments. But especially at the beginning of the count this year, I try to be more aggressive than not.”

Mike Tauchman celebrates after hitting a home run against the Astros on April 23. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Tauchman’s three home runs and three of his doubles this season have gone to left or left-center. That power jump has taken him to a 162 wRC+ this season, and his ability to draw walks (16.7 percent walk rate) has given him an on-base percentage of .422. As the offense battles injuries to two key players and struggles back and forth in the lineup, Tauchman has been one of the few bright spots. Going into Thursday’s game – a 7-6 overtime loss to the New York Mets – Tauchman had a 210 wRC+ since April 20. No other regular on the team was above 90 during that stretch.

“The quality and consistency of the batting is so good,” team president Jed Hoyer said. “He’s so mentally locked into every pitch. It’s something I hope our young guys watch. He may have a night where he doesn’t hit the ball hard, but he has a huge impact on the way the game is played because he walks two or whatever it may be. He grinds the pitcher out and might see more than 20 pitches on a night when he doesn’t get a hit.”

Before his single in the 11th inning Thursday, a hit that nearly gave the Cubs a two-run lead but cut off Nick Madrigal at home, Tauchman went hitless with a walk in five at-bats. But he saw 28 pitches in those five trips to the plate, and saw seven pitches three times. That patience will always be there. It’s a part of his game that makes Counsell feel comfortable playing against him regularly.

His experience has given him opportunities to grow and he has benefited from every step he has taken along the way.

“Mike is just a player who took all his experiences and made himself a better hitter,” Counsell said. “I don’t think this is the result of anything he does this week or last week. Mike’s success, even last year, was merely the result of using his experiences in the right way. He had to go to Korea and get better there. Then he continued to hone his strengths and develop them to the point where he comes to these strengths and is a very dangerous hitter.”

In addition, Tauchman is an incredible example for the people around him. At 33 years old, Tauchman has only now found daily playing time. Just two years ago he had to go abroad to find work. He took a chance and joined the Cubs as a non-roster invitee in 2023, then took his chance when Bellinger went down with a knee injury last May. This season, he knew he was on the team, but he was never sure what his role would be.

“I felt like I demonstrated my value as a winning player last year,” Tauchman said. “I was looking forward to the opportunity to build on that. I try to have the experience and wisdom to understand that in a season that lasts so long, some things can happen that are going to change your role. I think we saw that early on here.”

That mentality has helped Tauchman understand the game on a deeper level and have thoughtful baseball conversations with anyone who will listen. He may not have known his role this year, but it’s clear he’s established himself as a valuable piece for a team that’s currently 19-13 and battling through some significant injuries.

Whether he comes off the bench, watches from the dugout or is in the starting lineup, Tauchman says his preparation won’t change and he’s always ready to impact the game in some way.

“To have that mentality, you really have to come into the game prepared,” Hoyer said. “You have to know the opponent’s pitcher and how they are going to attack you. He really prepares incredibly hard to play.”

Largely an afterthought a year ago, Tauchman forced people to take notice last summer. That he continues to make an impact on the club beyond the 2023 season may come as a surprise to some, but those who have seen how hard he has worked behind the scenes believed he would continue to help the Cubs win games.

It was never going to be just one good season for Tauchman with the Cubs. He wants to prove that he is more than just a summer trend.

(Top photo of Mike Tauchman rounding the bases after hitting a three-run homer against the Red Sox on April 28: Jaiden Tripi / Getty Images)