The Chicago Cubs will be the first team to begin spring training, with their spring training opening on Feb. 9.
All eyes will be on third base to see if the top prospect in the organization, Matt Shaw, can win the starting job. Another key talking point to watch is Nico Hoerner healthy, and ready for Opening Day.
The Cubs will have a few more notable names to watch, with recently releasing their non-roster invites for this spring.
The Chicago Cubs will bring some prospects along
The Cubs have invited a few of their prospects to spring training this season, with top prospects Matt Shaw and Cade Horton leading the way.
see you there! ☀️ pic.twitter.com/vM6IDaHhhO
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 7, 2025
The Cubs will have eight of their top 30 prospects in camp. Four of them, including Shaw (No. 19) and Horton (No. 52), appear on MLB’s top 100 list, Moisés Ballesteros (No. 69) and James Triantos (No. 73). Other prospects who will be in camp are right-handed pitcher Brandon Birdsell, first baseman/third baseman Jonathon Long, and outfielders Brett Bateman and Christian Franklin.
Of the prospects, Shaw and Horton have the best chances to break camp with the Cubs, with Shaw primed to be the everyday third baseman. Horton could slot into the Cubs rotation, given the Cubs have a need there. Ballesteros could make the Cubs roster, given their need for a catcher, but with his defense not even close to his offense, he could use a little more time in the minors.
Triantos, Bateman, and Franklin will all get looks to see how they fair against better competition. However, they will most likely start their years in the minors. Triantos does have a shot to impress the Cubs if he can show he can hit major-league-caliber pitching, and given his versatility, that could help his chances.
The veteran invites
The Cubs made a few veteran signings to add depth to the roster, with two of those vets possibly making the Opening Day roster. The Cubs are inviting:
- Phil Bickford
- Ben Heller
- Brad Keller
- Brooks Kriske
- Trevor Richards
- Reese McGuire
- Carlos Pérez
- Nicky Lopez
Of those names, the two players that have the best chances to break camp with the Cubs are infielder Nicky Lopez and reliever Trevor Richards. Nico Hoerner’s status for Opening Day is still up in the air, and signing Lopez will give the Cubs a Gold Glove-caliber replacement.
If Lopez can show a better bat than his .241 average from last season, he has a good shot to make the roster. Richards would give the Cubs another veteran reliever who could take down high-leverage innings.
An interesting spring training ahead
The Cubs will have one of the more interesting spring training with the looming question of ‘will they sign Alex Bregman’ still hanging in the balance.
Even if the Cubs don’t sign Bregman, Shaw could prove to be a suitable replacement, having all the earmarks of a star.
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