David Ross: 2020 National League Manager of the Year?

That’s what one Cubs coach is predicting already.

During the final workout before the regular season begins, an unnamed coach came up to Theo Epstein and gave the Cubs president of baseball operations that glowing recommendation of the first-year manager.

“Rossy had an outstanding camp and really did a great job of navigating through some tough waters,” Epstein said. “He’s just such a natural at this — able to speak with such authenticity and credibility with the players and high emotional intelligence, able to connect with guys individually and also as a group. It’s been a pleasure to watch. 

“We’re proud of David and the job that he’s done. Couldn’t have asked for more so far. He already had the respect of everyone around here because of his presence, but even with the new guys, he’s won them over and we’re certainly a united group with a leader that we’re proud of right now.”

Ross’ energy and passion has been palpable in summer camp, where he’s often been the loudest person at Wrigley Field. There he was Tuesday, shouting “he’s back!” when Anthony Rizzo smacked a line drive to center field in a live BP session. And in each of the nine intrasquad scrimmages, he was there to cheer on his pitchers or yell “nice double!” after a hitter squared a ball up.

That was always part of his approach to leadership when he was a player and it’s still a staple of his style as a manager.

And the Cubs are here for it. Big time.

“He’s so on top, on the ball of everything,” Rizzo said. “Sometimes when we joke around, if something comes out the wrong way, he’ll make sure to tell you later on, ‘hey, I wasn’t trying to do this way or that way.’ Because he is the manager now and he knows we all look up to him and his lead and his guidance.

“It’s been no different than spring training now — what leniency he’s given us and how tight he’s been on us as well at the same time. He holds us to a very high standard — 1) because he’s played with us and he’s seen what we’re capable of and 2) because that’s what he expects.

“He’s a championship player and he expects perfection. That’s what we want to give him.”

Kyle Schwarber has been particularly impressed with how Ross has managed summer camp in an awkward situation.

On the second full day of summer camp at Wrigley Field, Ross already had the Cubs competing in an intrasquad scrimmage. His plan in spring training was to increase the intensity quickly in Arizona to drive that message home to players.

Even with a three-and-a-half-month shutdown and then only a three-week summer camp to get ready for the season, Ross still wanted to see that sense of urgency.

“Rossy was made for this and the coaching staff that he’s brought around him only makes him better and us better,” Kyle Schwarber said. “I think they’ve done a great job since being at the field — we’re always doing something to better ourselves. There’s not much sit-down time. We’re always out there trying to get better.

“I just feel like we utilize the time really well at the field. I think there’s been feel there as well, giving guys some breaks and making sure that everyone’s going to be feeling fresh for [the regular season].”

That sentiment — “Ross was made for this” — is a common refrain in the Cubs clubhouse. So much so that we heard almost the exact same compliment from a guy less than a week before Schwarber said it.

“He’s built for this job,” Steven Souza Jr. said. “He said something to me the other day which I think a lot of managers could benefit from and that’s caring about the player first and then the results. I think when you do that, you put everybody in their right place and you can feel that, you can feel when it’s genuine. You can feel when somebody’s trying to fake their way through it.

“I’ve been blessed with great managers and he fits that mold as well to be able to care for you first and really level with you, but at the same time, motivate you to pick up the slack and do your job.”

That statement is particularly noteworthy, as Souza is new to the Cubs.

In his first season with the team, the 31-year-old outfielder doesn’t have the same breadth of experience around Ross and his leadership style.

“I think that’s who I try to be as a person,” Ross said. “That’s nice that Steven said that. I listen to people that I feel like care about me and so I think in general, if you want to create relationships and grow together as a group between two human beings, they have to know that you care. What’s the old saying — they don’t care how much they know until they know how much you care? I think that rings true in a lot of aspects of life.

“I think the good thing for me is when I got this job, I had a lot of previous relationships. I’m glad Steven’s new and feels that way — that means I’m continuing to stay with some of my core values and try to understand there’s a human element.”

Relief pitcher Dan Winkler is also new to the Cubs this season after spending almost all of his professional career in the Braves organization. His first impression of Ross was right in line with what Souza said — he was blown away by how much his manager cared.

Winkler recounted a time very early in spring training when he passed his skipper in the hall and Ross stopped to ask about Winkler’s family and how he was settling in with the new club.

“It’s something that took me a little bit to get used to to have a manager who’s that present and that caring,” Winkler said. “I didn’t realize how much he cared about winning, either, until I met him. The guy wants to win.”

That competitive fire didn’t dissipate during the shutdown. In his first Zoom session with Chicago media in advance of summer camp, Ross uttered his now-famous line: “If they’re passing out a trophy, I want it.”

It’s been a rallying cry for the fanbase as the shortened season approaches and it perfectly illustrates the Cubs’ goal for the season.

After falling short of the expectations they set for themselves the last couple seasons, the Cubs didn’t blow up the roster over the winter and the core remains intact with at least one more shot to bring another World Series title to the North Side of Chicago.

And in order to do that, the Cubs needed to get up to speed quickly in the three-week summer camp after the long shutdown. Ross and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy had a clear plan in place for pitchers, including stretching out as many relievers as possible to be ready for anything in a crazy year.

Another factor that will weigh heavily on the Cubs’ win column this season will also be how safe the team is able to remain amid an ongoing pandemic.

“It’s strange times for sure and definitely an important time for leadership. So we’re lucky to have someone like him,” Nico Hoerner said. “I think he’s done a nice job of making his points come across, but then also leaving it up for team accountability.

“Whether it’s holding each other to a high standard with corona protocol or just how we go about our business every day at the field. He’s had a nice mix of making his opinions known but also having a lot of trust in his players.”

As they embark on a season unlike anything we’ve ever seen before, the Cubs are about to find out just how real the David Ross Effect is.

As he would say, “it’s time to get on the bus.”