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3 long shots to make the Chicago Cubs Opening Day roster
With Spring Training around the corner, It's time to start analyzing potential roster moves for the Chicago Cubs as we head into the 2023 campaign. Of course, we'll have a much better idea of those moves once we see how certain players are looking. Therefore, we can consider this a preliminary list of sorts, with some names that we should keep an eye on based both on this winter's moves in free agency and overall how players are trending.
For the Cubs, it will be all about a balance of not pushing guys too hard while also being confident in a player's ability if they appear ready and not holding them back if they can contribute. In the last year and a half, the Cubs have had the luxury of knowing they weren't going to be competitive, so players got extended looks and chances to shine. This season, if the Cubs want to compete, they can ill-afford to lose games while trying to let guys figure it out. There will be a much tighter window for prospects to get the call this year. Expect these three players to be left off the Opening Day Roster, unless they absolutely go nuts in Spring Training:
3 long shots for Opening Day - 3. Brennen Davis
Brennen Davis has been looking good in Arizona, with video of his hitting and launching home runs already. Still, Davis' 2022 was a complete wash, and he will need time to ramp up fully at Iowa unless he crushes in Spring Training. When healthy, Davis is an exceptional talent that routinely cracks MLB's top 100 prospect lists. Still, getting back to full health and into a rhythm will be essential for Davis' everyday playing time.
Had he not gotten hurt last season, we'd probably be talking about him as an integral part of the Cubs' 26-man roster. Now, with a crowded outfield of Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, and Seiya Suzuki, the front office will more than likely take their time with Davis to ensure he's both healthy and ready to compete at the major league level where the Cubs are looking to make some noise in 2023. Should he crush at Iowa, however, it won't be long before he is on the main roster.
3 long shots for Opening day - 2. Matt Mervis
After the Cubs signed both Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini, the indication was clear that the Cubs' front office has elected to transition Matt Mervis more routinely into big-league play instead of just throwing him into an everyday role. Mervis smashed in all facets last season, amassing a line of .309/.379/.606 with 36 HRs and 119 RBIs across three levels of play in 2022. In Triple-A Iowa, in particular, he slashed .297/.383/.593, with 15 HRs, 39 RBIs, an ISO of .297, and a 152 wRC+ at the highest level before the MLB.
Mervis is still listed as a prospect with a 35 FV, according to Fangraphs. This is why, although national lists do have a lot of credibility to them regarding their ranks of the best prospects in today's game, they are only sometimes the most accurate. Mervis should be getting more love here after such an incredible breakout season. Still, I would go as far as to say that unless there is some unfortunate injury in Spring Training and Mervis picks up where he left off in the Cactus League, I wouldn't expect to see him in a Cubs uniform right away.
3 long shots for Opening Day - 1. Caleb Kilian
Topping off the list we come to Caleb Kilian. In need of fine-tuning before confidence can be instilled that he will be effective at the major league level, Kilian will more than likely start the season at Iowa to further work on his control. In 2022, in Triple-A, he had a 4.22 ERA, but what was more concerning was his 1.566 WHIP. He issues 59 free passes in 106.2 innings pitched, on top of 9.1 hits per 9 frames.
Next. Chicago Cubs 2023 Season Preview: Christopher Morel. dark
On a positive note, Kilian recorded 125 strikeouts in those 106.2 innings, good for a 10.5 K/9. There is a lot of potential here that has yet to be unlocked. Unfortunately, with the Cubs looking to compete in 2023, the MLB level will not be the place for him to figure it out. He will, however, be a call away if necessary and as soon as he does take better command of the baseball, it won't be long before he dons a Cubs uniform. His ceiling is still very high.