3 biggest Cubs stories through 3 weeks of spring training

3 biggest Cubs stories through 3 weeks of spring training: #1 - Hayden Wesneski is out to steal the final spot in the rotation

I'm not sure what more the Cubs could have hoped for from rookie right-hander Hayden Wesneski this spring. Looking to secure the fifth and final spot in the starting rotation, he's been absolutely dominant this spring.

The other two candidates to round out the starting five, Adrian Sampson and Javier Assad, have had wildly differing spring showings. Sampson has been a total disaster, allowing 13 earned runs in just 8 1/3 innings of work - while Assad has dazzled, both with the Cubs and Team Mexico in the WBC. At this point, it's got to be considered a two-man race, with Sampson on the outside looking in.

Given what the Cubs gave up for Wesneski (rookie reliever Scott Effross) and David Ross' penchant for old-school, gritty players, I have a hard time believing anyone other than Wesneski comes away with that final spot in teh rotation. He's not only showcased plus stuff, he's hit his spots (11 strikeouts to just two walks), building on his breakout cup of coffee with the big league team in 2022.