A look at the Chicago Cubs potential 2015 Opening Day roster

Aug 14, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez at bat against the Milwaukee Brewers during the game at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

In the month of August, the Chicago Cubs posted a 16-14 record, saw the debut of several key prospects and started to drum up excitement not only around Wrigleyville, but across the baseball world as glimpses of the future began to be seen on a regular basis.

This year’s club looks to be headed for yet another fifth-place finish in the National League Central – a streak that dates back to 2010. Attendance levels have dropped off dramatically during that span. Five seasons ago, the Cubs drew 3,062,973 fans to the Friendly Confines. This year, although there is still a month to go in the season, the team has drawn just over 2.1 million – 1,188,927 to be exact. Needless to say, excitement has been lacking for much of the year.

However, since the arrival of some talented rookies – Kyle Hendricks, Arismendy Alcantara, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler – the fan base has been rejuvenated and excitement at Wrigley Field is reaching levels that haven’t been seen yet this decade. What’s scarier – and more exciting – is that the team is currently 12 1/2 games out of the division lead and, in all likelihood, won’t see postseason play – or anywhere close to it.

So with that in mind, it’s time to take a look at what next year’s 2015 Opening Day roster could look like.