Former Cardinals top prospect earns Cubs Opening Day spot in mostly expected roster

As the Chicago Cubs wrap up their spring training schedule with a game against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, it would seem that the final decisions have been made for the Opening Day roster. The Cubs' optioning Kevin Alcantara to Triple-A indicated that former St. Louis Cardinals top prospect Dylan Carlson had made the team, and that the team would add an extra infielder to their bench to start the season.

Both of those moves were confirmed by Craig Counsell on Tuesday. Carlson has been informed that he made the team, while utility infielder Scott Kingery will be traveling with the team to Chicago. Short of the Cubs finding a more established backup infielder to take Kingery's spot, it would seem that the Opening Day roster can be pieced together.

Cubs' Opening Day roster appears to be set but larger questions remain moving forward.

Decisions will lie ahead for the Cubs after Opening Day. Mainly, the plan for the starting rotation once Justin Steele returns. As for Seiya Suzuki, he's going to open the season on the IL, but the expectation is that he will be available for the team's first road trip of the season.

Starting Rotation (5)

1. Matthew Boyd
2. Cade Horton
3. Shota Imanaga
4. Edward Cabrera
5. Jameson Taillon

No real surprises for the Cubs' rotation. While the Cubs have ruled out using a six-man rotation at the start of the season, it's hard to envision how they won't use one once Steele returns. Of course, the plan at the start of the season is almost never the plan that plays out during the season.

Bullpen (8)

1. Daniel Palencia
2. Phil Maton
3. Hunter Harvey
4. Hoby Milner
5. Caleb Thielbar
6. Jacob Webb
7. Colin Rea
8. Ben Brown

The only surprise for the bullpen was Brown landing the final spot. With the help of a new sinker, Brown was one of the notable success stories of spring training for the Cubs. He struck out over 31% of the hitters he faced this spring and is the type of swing-and-miss stuff the Cubs have lacked in their bullpen in recent years.

Infielders (5)

• Catcher: Carson Kelly
• First Base: Michael Busch
• Second Base: Nico Hoerner
• Third Base: Alex Bregman
• Shortstop: Dansby Swanson

Michael Busch is expected to get starts against both right-handed and left-handed starting pitchers this season. Outside of that, the only scenario that could surface during the season is Carson Kelly moving back to a timeshare with Miguel Amaya at catcher.

Outfield/DH (4)

• Left Field: Ian Happ
• Center Field: Pete Crow-Armstrong
• Right Field: Matt Shaw
• Designated Hitter: Moises Ballesteros
  

For now, it would seem that the Cubs are leaning toward Matt Shaw being the primary right fielder in Seiya Suzuki's absence. Shaw's defense in right field during spring training has been checkered, so there could be an early pivot.

Bench (4)

• Catcher: Miguel Amaya
• Outfielder: Michael Conforto
• Outfielder: Dylan Carlson
• Utility infielder: Scott Kingery
  

Kingery's stay on the Cubs' roster will likely be short-lived. Once Suzuki returns, Shaw will move to the bench and serve in the utility role the team earmarked for him after signing Alex Bregman.