Chicago Cubs: Ryan Court experiencing success with Cubs

In his first spring training with the Chicago Cubs, Illinois native Ryan Court has impressed. While it is very unlikely he makes the 25-man roster out of camp, Court could provide valuable depth late in the season.

Through three weeks of spring training, Cubs infielder Ryan Court has had some of the best numbers of anyone on the team.

In 35 at-bats this spring, Court has a batting average of .400 and an on-base percentage of .488. He has scored 11 runs on 14 hits and hit three home runs.

The 29-year-old was signed to a minor league deal with the Cubs in December after spending over a year in the Boston Red Sox organization. Before his time with the Red Sox, Court spent five years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who drafted him in the 23rd round of the 2011 MLB Draft.

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Court has had decent numbers throughout much of his minor league career, but he has never reached the big leagues. He has a career slash line of .276/.365/.423 in six minor league seasons.

A Chicago native

When Court signed his minor league deal with the Cubs last December, he decided to return home to his native Chicago. He is from Elgin, Illinois, and attended Illinois State.

According to an article by Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, Court grew up a Cubs fan and even attended the 2016 World Series parade in Chicago.

“I want my debut to be with a team where I earned it and the team’s a contender,” Court said. “I think making the big leagues with this team, this group of guys, fighting for a World Series, would be very cool.”

However, making the roster will be no easy feat for Court.

A long shot to make the roster

Despite Court’s success so far this spring, though, it is highly unlikely that Court will make the 25-man roster. The Cubs are set at shortstop and second base, with Addison Russell a lock for the starting spot at shortstop and Javier Baez returning from injury to reclaim his spot and second base.

Even in the case of any injuries, Ben Zobrist or Ian Happ could easily take over at second base, and Baez proved last season that he is capable of making a move to shortstop in place of Russell.

What if the Cubs have an injury to Baez or Russell? Court could be the man to fill in. In 2017, Mike Freeman got the call-up to the big leagues when Russell was out with injury so that he could take over at shortstop in case Baez got injured. Court could have a chance to play that role if Russell or Baez gets injured this season.

Court’s success proves that the Cubs will have enough depth at the shortstop position. If nothing else, he may eventually get a chance in the big leagues as a September call-up.

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Only time will tell if Court will finally reach the big leagues at age 29 with his childhood team. His success is evidence of the team’s depth. And that’s something they can use during a long MLB season.