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.

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

The Chicago Cubs starting outfield is set with Ian Happ in left field, Cody Bellinger in center field, and Seiya Suzuki in right field. What is unclear is who will be the team's fourth outfielder. Trey Mancini will certainly get some playing time in the outfield this season but he is resigned strictly to a corner outfield spot. Christopher Morel received a bulk of his playing time in center field last season but the expectation is that he will play more in the infield in 2023. Nelson Velazquez will get an extensive look in the outfield during Spring Training but after his struggles at the Major League level in 2022, it may be best if he starts the season playing regularly with Triple-A Iowa.

If that is the case, Darius Hill may get serious consideration for making the Major League team out of Spring Training. Hill was selected in the 20th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft by the Cubs and has hit at every level of the organization. With Triple-A Iowa last season, Hill slashed .318/.358/.434/.351 wOBA/110 wRC+ in 373 plate appearances.

These Cubs NRIs have the best chance to make the 2023 Opening Day roster: Mark Leiter Jr

It has been an eventful offseason for Mark Leiter Jr. Leiter was designated for assignment on the Opening Day of the Chicago Cubs Convention in January when the team officially announced the signing of veteran first baseman Eric Hosmer. Leiter cleared waivers but then declined the Cubs' outright assignment to Triple-A Iowa. After a few weeks on the free-agent market, Leiter returned to the Cubs on a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Leiter proved to be one of the Cubs' most effective relievers out of the bullpen last season. In 53.1 innings pitched as a reliever last season, Leiter posted a 2.87 ERA. Even more impressive was the fact that left-handed hitters compiled a batting average of .176 against Leiter last season. As the Cubs are in need of a reliever that can get left-handed hitters out, Leiter could have a leg up on the competition in Spring Training.