3 Chicago Cubs who could be first-time All-Stars in 2023

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With Chicago Cub's spring training in full effect, it's time to project who could be eyeing their first All-Star appearance this coming season. The front office has done an excellent job bridging the gap to its prospects while potentially fielding a competitive product in 2023. With more protection in the lineup this season, several players can do more damage without being pitched around to get to the guy behind him, who usually would be the easier out.

The Cubs aren't getting much love in projected standings. For example, Pecota projects the Cubs for just 76.7 wins in 2023. They were drastically wrong about several teams last year, and the truth is that this team quietly has an upside that shouldn't be ignored. If the Cubs are to succeed in 2023, we can expect at least one of these players to get the nod for their first All-Star appearance.

3 Chicago Cubs who could be first-time All-Stars in 2023 - Seiya Suzuki

Entering his sophomore season in a Cubs uniform, Seiya Suzuki is primed for a breakout season in 2023. Although we are admittedly concerned about the current oblique issue that we're still waiting for results on, the projections are still there for a monster campaign. Suzuki's ZiPS peg him for a slash of .267/.352/.488/135 wRC+, along with 21 HRs and 63 RBIs. Steamer is a little friendlier with the homers and RBIs, with a projection of 25/75.

The Cubs desperately need Suzuki's oblique injury not to be serious. He is an integral part of the team's success, and with solid protection both in front and behind him in the lineup, he should have multiple opportunities to drive in runs. In the best-case scenario, he is sidelined for minimal time and doesn't see his World Baseball Classic appearance derailed. We're keeping our fingers crossed that he doesn't have to miss any time during the regular season.

3 Chicago Cubs who could be first-time All-Stars in 2023 - 2. Nico Hoerner

After a stellar season, both offensively and defensively, Nico Hoerner is another Chicago Cub who could be eyeing their first All-Star nod in 2023. Last season, according to Baseball Reference, Hoerner recorded a .281/.327/.410 slash with 10 HR and 55 RBIs, along with a 4.5 WAR. Defensively, Hoerner was second among shortstops in the MLB with ten runs prevented and thirteen outs above average, trailing only Cubs newcomer Dansby Swanson.

So far, in spring training, we saw Hoerner lead off the first game they played, and he is currently scheduled to lead off again today in split-squad action against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It will be interesting to see if this will be his new role for the team. His high contact, low strikeout bat, and ability to steal 20+ bases a season make him the perfect candidate. His elite defense offers a solid floor, so if he stays hot offensively, don't be surprised to see him heading to Seattle this summer.

3 Chicago Cubs who could be first-time All-Stars in 2023 - 1. Justin Steele

After an incredible second half to the 2022 campaign, Justin Steele is quietly the #1 candidate to take a giant leap forward this year. Going off his numbers from a season ago, Steele posted a 4.15 ERA in the first half with a total of 82.1 innings pitched. After it was reported that he received critical advice from former Cubs southpaw Jon Lester, something clicked for Steele. In the second half, he posted a microscopic 0.98 ERA in 36.2 IP before back tightness in early September ultimately cut his season short.

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Workload certainly could have played a factor there, as Steele threw more than twice as many innings in 2022 than he did in 2021. The Cubs will now need him to be able to stretch out further if he is to be a frontline starter for the team moving forward. One thing is certain: If he continues at the torrid pace he was on to close out the year, he is a lock for an All-Star appearance in 2023.

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