Who wins the fourth outfield spot, Matt Shaw's outfield transition, and which reliever seizes the final bullpen role? Spring training unlocks these crucial Cubs questions.
The Chicago Cubs will kick off their first Spring Training game on Friday against the Chicago White Sox. This game marks the start of32 Spring Training games until the season opener on March 26.
Now that Spring Training is here, let’s check out three key things Cubs fans should keep an eye on during these 32 games.
The Battle for the Fourth Outfield Spot
The outfield battle between Chas McCormick, Dylan Carlson, Justin Dean, and Kevin Alcantara is one that fans should be watching closely throughout the spring. One of these four players will win that final outfield spot and make the Opening Day roster.
Who gets the job will probably come down to how well each player performs during Spring Training. Since Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki will be away at the World Baseball Classic for much of the spring, these four outfielders should get plenty of playing time.
The Cubs signed both McCormick and Carlson to Minor League deals this offseason, and both players are in the lineup for the team’s Spring Training opener against the White Sox. McCormick is batting sixth and playing left field, while Carlson is batting fifth and playing right field.
It will also be interesting to see how Alcantara performs this spring. The 6-foot-6 slugger adjusted his swing in the offseason to be more consistent at the plate. That change could help improve his overall hitting.
Matt Shaw In The Outfield
Manager Craig Counsell said earlier this week that Matt Shaw will spend “a lot of time in the outfield” this season. So, Cubs fans can expect Shaw to get plenty of practice in the outfield during Spring Training.
This will be his first taste of the outfield in his professional career. He played a bit in the outfield growing up and got a few reps in college, but this will be his first time out there with Major League batters hitting the ball his way.
We'll get to see how Shaw handles the outfield over these 32 games. While he might face some challenges, the main question is whether the Cubs can trust him to play there during the regular season.
Which Reliever Steps Up
The Cubs will start Spring Training with one bullpen spot open. With Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, Hunter Harvey, Caleb Thielbar, Colin Rea, and Daniel Palencia all locked in for Opening Day, several relievers will be fighting for that last spot.
So, which reliever will step up and claim that final bullpen spot?
Jordan Wicks: He has struggled in his big league career, but a strong spring could give him the edge.
Porter Hodge: He is just two years removed from a breakthrough campaign in which he finished with a 1.88 ERA.
Ben Brown: He added a sinker to his arsenal this spring and has shown his potential at times on the mound.
Luke Little: He is coming off a dominant Minor League season and has the swing-and-miss stuff to make an impact at the Major League level.
Trent Thornton: He is a non-roster invitee coming off a torn Achilles, but has pitched well in the Majors in three of the past four years.
Corbin Martin: He is another non-roster invitee, but has some nice swing-and-miss stuff.
At this point, that final bullpen spot is up for grabs.