Former Cubs slugging prospect making push for Cardinals Opening Day roster

While former St. Louis Cardinals first-round pick Dylan Carlson appears to be on track toward making the Chicago Cubs' Opening Day roster, a former Chicago Cubs prospect is making a strong case to make the Cardinals' Opening Day roster.

It's no secret that the Cardinals are in the opening act of a rebuild, and the attention will be on player development. Of course, the Cardinals have a handful of veterans vying for an Opening Day roster and former Cubs outfielder Nelson Velázquez is making a strong case.

When Velázquez was making his ascent through the Cubs' farm system, there was no question of his power. The problem was that Velázquez was ready for the runway at the major league level at a time when the Cubs had Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, and Seiya Suzuki in their outfield. Former Cubs manager David Ross leaned toward the veterans in the outfield, and that often left Velázquez sitting on the bench during his brief stints in the majors with the Cubs.

That changed at the trade deadline in 2023 when the Cubs dealt the young outfielder to the Kansas City Royals for Jose Cuas. Velázquez put on an immediate power display with the Royals, hitting 14 home runs while posting a wRC+ of 131 during the closing months of the season.

That mark dipped to 78 during the 2024 season, and he hasn't been back at the Major League level since.

Nelson Velázquez is turning heads with the St. Louis Cardinals during Spring Training.

That could be about to change. In camp with the Cardinals, Velázquez is showing off the power that made Cubs fans first fall in love with him. In 12 games this spring, Velázquez has 4 home runs with a wRC+ of 195. If nothing else, it seems clear Velázquez has earned a spot on the bench, and depending on the plan for Jordan Walker, could even get a start or two for the Cardinals in the outfield.

It certainly is going to be a strange sight when the Cubs and Cardinals first play each other this season. Carlson suiting up for the Cubs, while Velázquez is a power bat that the Cardinals could turn to. Not sure anyone would have predicted this outcome a few years back.