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Nearly a decade after the St. Louis Cardinals selected Dylan Carlson in the first round of the MLB Draft, the switch-hitting outfielder has been spotted at the Chicago Cubs' complex in Arizona - and will reportedly be in camp with the club on a minor-league deal with a spring training invite.
A National League Rookie of the Year finalist in 2021, Carlson has battled injuries in recent years, but if he can stay on the field and return to form, he could be a valuable piece for Craig Counsell's ballclub in 2026. A bounceback from Carlson and/or Chas McCormick, who will also be in camp on a minor-league pact, would give the Cubs' bench mix a huge boost.
There was some ambiguity about whether the Cubs would sign Dylan Carlson with Chas McCormick and Justin Dean in the organization, but it’s my understanding Cubs are signing Carlson to an MiLB deal with a ST invite. He’s battled health issues, but could be a nice add if healthy. https://t.co/bAQZqJNieJ
— Greg Zumach (@IvyFutures) January 24, 2026
The shine has worn off Dylan Carlson in a big way in recent years
Carlson, still just 27, spent the 2025 season with the Baltimore Orioles, appearing in 83 games and slashing a paltry .203/.278/.336. That actually marked his best slugging percentage since 2022, the year after that third-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting. Baseball Savant didn't love much of anything he did the last two years, with the exception of an elite chase rate.
It's always exciting when your club brings in a former top prospect looking to re-establish himself, but I think it's a long shot he cracks the Opening Day roster. Most likely, the Cubs will look to stash him at Iowa for important outfield depth. Last year with the O's Triple-A affiliate, he put up an .872 OPS, so there's still hope he can turn the tools that once made him one of the game's top prospects into big-league production.
With the addition of McCormick, the Cubs' bench mix is likely to include Miguel Amaya, Tyler Austin, McCormick and Matt Shaw, who is already working out in Arizona trying to learn how to play the outfield for the first time in his career. There's nothing to lose by seeing if Carlson can get his career back on track, but the chances of him being an impact piece for the Cubs feel slim, at best.