David Ross says the Chicago Cubs will use Kris Bryant as their leadoff hitter.

"You'll see him at the top of the order a whole lot in spring training," Ross said. "Kris Bryant is a really good at-bat, gets on base, is probably one of our best baserunners. His baseball IQ is extremely high. When you talk about putting the best players at the top of the order, I want to put him at the top."

Bryant often hit leadoff in college after teams pitched around him when he was in the middle of the order.

The Cubs ranked last in baseball in on-base percentage (.294) from the No. 1 spot last season. Bryant will be given a long leash in the new spot.

"That was part of the conversation we had," Ross said. "This is a commitment on his part. It's really easy to change the lineup in my seat, but I think that screams panic when you start to change all that. This is one of the best players in baseball, and how he goes about his business I want representing our team night in and night out. He's on board with that."