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

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.

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.