These Cubs NRIs have the best chance to make the 2023 Opening Day roster

The Chicago Cubs officially revealed their list of non-roster invites to Major League Spring Training on Monday and that list is highlighted by top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong and first base prospect Matt Mervis.

Both Crow-Armstrong and Mervis are expected to begin the 2023 season within the Cubs' minor-league system. The belief is that Crow-Armstrong will start the season with Double-A Tennesee while Mervis appears destined to start the season with Triple-A Iowa.

While the Cubs had a total of 32 non-roster invites to Spring Training, there is only a handful of players that appear likely to have of a chance of making the Major League roster out of Spring Training.

These Cubs NRIs have the best chance to make the 2023 Opening Day roster: Roenis Elias

One of the remaining needs that the Cubs have is for a left-handed relief pitcher to pair with Brandon Hughes in the bullpen. The Cubs have been linked to veteran free-agent relievers in Andrew Chafin and Matt Moore but the team may be shying away from their steep asking prices.

If the Cubs opt against adding a veteran left-handed reliever, all eyes will be on Roenis Elias. In the Dominican Winter League this fall, Elias has thrived as he posted a 0.92 ERA in 7 appearances. Elias worked exclusively as a starting pitcher in the Dominican Winter League but his path to the Cubs' bullpen likely will be a bulk reliever that can eat up multiple innings in one appearance.