Cubs: Potential depth players impressing this spring

Cubs: Outfielder Jake Marisnick could be a sneaky good pickup by Jed Hoyer.

While he did not play much in 2020, Jake Marisnick slashed .333/.353/.606 in 16 games with the New York Mets. He spent 2014-2019 with the Houston Astros, compiling a .232/.285/.396 line with 53 home runs, 85 OPS+ and .682 OPS in 631 games. The slash does not look very impressive, but he does have sneaky pop for a guy who is not a 140+ game player.

This spring he has been crushing the ball. Going into Thursday night’s game against the Angels he had played in seven games and hit .400/.438./1.200 with four home runs and eight RBI. He has only one walk and four of his six hits are home runs, but seeing his power is nice because that is honestly his best asset. He is not an on-base machine nor is he a high-average hitter, but as previously mentioned he can drive the ball. Seeing him use his biggest strength this preseason is nice to see.

Marisnick is going to be a fourth outfielder and not start many games. He can be a nice depth piece if he can keep swinging it well. The starting outfield is going to be Joc Pederson, Ian Happ and Jason Heyward, with depth options including the likes of Marisnick and Cameron Maybin.