2 Cubs position players who will start the year in Triple-A and 3 who won't

The Chicago Cubs have a few roster decisions to make when Spring Training comes to a close with several talented young prospects knocking on the big-league door.

Spring Training will be an opportunity for these young players to prove themselves. Here are two that will do well enough to warrant a big-league roster spot, and two who will be in Triple-A at the start of the season. This list is based on how the roster is currently constructed but will likely change if Cody Bellinger signs with the team.

MLB: OF Alexander Canario

23-year-old outfielder Alexander Canario made his MLB debut in 2023 after recovering from a nasty ankle and shoulder injury. After a long rehab process, Canario picked up right where he left off pre-injury and continued to hit the ball with authority. It was a small sample size because of former manager David Ross's unwillingness to play Canario that much, but the young slugger did collect three extra-base hits with a .941 OPS in the 17 at-bats he recorded.

Canario could be a valuable asset to the team and be a source of home run power that it desperately needs. Across three different minor league levels in 2022, Canario smacked 37 home runs, 26 doubles and drove in 97 runs. Although the team is fairly populated in the outfield for the next few years, Canario could still contribute or become a trade chip at this year's deadline.

Whatever his long-term future holds, it seems like Canario is at the very least likely to be the fourth or fifth outfielder. A roster spot will be much easier for him to obtain if the team does not end up signing Bellinger so as things stand, look for Canario on the MLB roster come March.

Triple-A: IF/OF Miles Mastrobuoni

Miles Mastrobuoni was an alright utility man for the Cubs last year, but there were certainly times when I think he was utilized too much. While his ability to play several positions definitely came in handy, there was a very long period where Mastrobuoni was in the starting lineup despite being in the middle of a serious slump at the plate.

In the first half of the season, Mastrobuoni posted a 41 wRC+ (59 points below league average) and a .169 batting average. In addition to an ice-cold bat, Mastrobuoni played serviceable defense at best. He's a backup depth piece that shouldn't show up in the lineup consistently unless major injuries happen to pop up.

With two minor league options remaining on his contract, I think starting Mastrobuoni in Iowa makes sense coming out of the gate.

MLB: 1B/3B Michael Busch

After giving up a premiere pitching prospect in Jackson Ferris in exchange for Michael Busch, there is little doubt in my mind that the Cubs will want him at the MLB level immediately. And the 26-year-old seems ready for the task after cranking 48 home runs at the Triple-A level the past two seasons.

He had several stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers' big-league team last year where his playing time was repeatedly blocked by their stacked lineup. But Busch is a talented young player and many rankings label him a top 60 prospect in baseball. His smooth swing and power from the left side of the plate is exactly the kind of hitting profile this lineup needs and he will hopefully fill the team's void at first base.

Even if Bellinger returns, Busch will probably get his shot at the big league roster right away and ideally, he becomes the everyday first baseman.