Award-winning Cubs prospect could spark long-overdue bench upgrade

The Chicago Cubs had a few flaws in 2025, including a lack of high-end pitching depth that ultimately sunk their season in October.

However, no flaw was more glaring than that of their painfully unproductive bench unit, which simply was incapable of filling in for the position-player regulars with any sort of consistency.

From Vidal Bruján and Gage Workman to Jon Berti and Justin Turner, it just never felt like Craig Counsell had the necessary depth and versatility to play with to hang with the Milwaukee Brewers down the stretch. It's a clear area of need this offseason, and one the front office must address with purpose.

Luckily, the team may not have to go entirely outside the organization to overhaul their reserves. Jonathon Long looked MLB-ready all year long, and he makes a ton of sense as a corner-infield depth option to back up Matt Shaw (when he goes cold) or Michael Busch (against tough southpaws).

The Cubs themselves may be cheekily acknowledging that fact, as they named Long their Minor League Player of the Year for 2025 on Monday.

Jonathon Long will have an important role to play on Cubs in 2026

The 23-year-old Long hit .305/.404/.479 (131 wRC+) with 20 home runs this past season, emerging as a true middle-of-the-order threat for the Iowa Cubs. He was even better by wRC+ in prior years, posting marks of 148 and 169 in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

As things stand, the Cubs' bench currently consists of Miguel Amaya (the backup catcher), Kevin Alcantara (the fourth/fifth outfielder), and Moises Ballesteros (the bat-first option). There is a clear need for an infielder among that group, and though Long played 115 of his 140 games in 2025 at first base, he's played third and second base at various points in the past.

Also, the team wouldn't be adding him to the roster with the intention of having him supply another superb glove to their elite defensive infield. Long would be there to offer some offensive thump off the bench, especially against left-handed pitchers (even though he displayed reverse splits in 2025).

There may be an appetite for a more versatile player who can handle the middle infield, but Long is an easily-accessible option who clearly has the bat to provide what the Cubs were missing this year. Denying him a roster spot for another player in Bruján or Berti's mold may not be the best most welcome decision in 2026.

Not to take anything away from the other award winner, Jostin Florentino pitched in 16 games (14 starts) across two levels (the Complex League and Single-A) this season. He authored a 2.43 ERA and 29.7 percent strikeout rate in 81 1/3 innings, especially dominating at Myrtle Beach to the tune of a 1.96 ERA and 2.75 FIP in 11 appearances.

Though he's quite a bit further away from the majors than Long, Florentino's stock is soaring just as high after winning the Cubs' Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award.