TEMPE, Ariz. - Jason Heyward can breathe easy.
After an 0-for-15 start to the spring, the guy that some Cubs fans have unfairly called the league's most expensive fourth outfielder has officially gotten started silencing the haters.
Heyward smiled easily as he met with the media Monday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium after hitting a long homer and collecting a two-run double in the Cubs' 13-10 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
After a nice day at the plate, it's easy to admit the hitless start to Cactus League play was weighing on him.
"0-for-15 is gonna get to you whenever," he said. "But as far as knowing that you're working on something and trying to feel something is good. Having a clear mind, because every day in BP, I feel amazing.
"So just putting it together at game speed and working to do that, working hard and working smart just gives you that vote of confidence that you know you're gonna get it done. You just gotta keep going and find the right timing."
Timing is the final step, Heyward said, as he broke down and rebuilt his swing this winter following by far the worst offensive season of his career (.230/.306/.325 slash line, .631 OPS).
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On his first trip to the plate, Heyward crushed a Jesse Chavez offering into the parking lot beyond right field and on his third time up, he sliced a liner to the opposite field off a left-handed pitcher for a two-out, two-run double.
"I'm in love with that one," he said, smiling.
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Heyward is trying to keep it simple and he's certain he and the Cubs coaching staff are moving in the right direction with his swing.
Monday was just validation, and not just during batting practice.
"Today, I got to see myself and feel myself in game action and do it the right way and give myself enough time to take good swings and fight off a tough pitch and get to the next pitch," he said.
Heyward is only two years removed from a season in which he hit .293 with a .359 on-base percentage and .797 OPS. He also has a 27-homer season under his belt as a 22-year-old in 2012.
So where does he go from here?
"Just stay positive," Heyward said. "It's a team game. Us, as a team, getting the ultimate goal to win the World Series last year gives you a lot of confidence and a good mindset coming in.
"Again, just knowing and seeing that you've done it before. Seeing video, seeing games, being able to go right to that game and that swing and feel yourself in the moment.
"You know you've done it before. So just work to get back to that. It'd be weird if I was tryin gto do something I've never done. So I would say that's how you [move on.]"