Projecting the Chicago Cubs Opening Day 26-Man Roster
Past the halfway point of Spring Training, the Chicago Cubs' projected 26-man Opening Day roster is coming together.
Seiya Suzuki will open the year on the injured list. That's already been confirmed by the Cubs' brass. However, that offers an opportunity for a fringe player to make the squad.
We also know that starter Kyle Hendricks will not be ready to rejoin the rotation until as early as May, with a June timeframe more likely. The fifth starter competition has been one of the best to keep tabs on throughout the spring.
Without further ado, here's a look at our projected Opening Day roster.
Catchers (2)
- Yan Gomes
- Tucker Barnhart
With Willson Contreras leaving via free agency, the Cubs retained Yan Gomes and brought in two-time Gold Glove winner Tucker Barnhart this offseason. Manager David Ross praised Barnhart's willingness to jump right in.
“I don’t know anybody that hit the ground running as fast as him that I’ve ever managed,” Ross said. “When he signed with us, he’s watching video of all the pitchers and calling, wanting to be on the pitching group text. He’s all in on that pitching group and it’s a really comforting feeling for me.”
Compared to past years, the Cubs have prioritized "defense-first" catchers, but Gomes and Barnhart can still swing the bat. It'll be interesting to see how the duo splits catching duties once the season begins.
Infielders (4)
- Eric Hosmer
- Nico Hoerner
- Dansby Swanson
- Edwin Ríos
Nothing out of the ordinary here either, except perhaps Edwin Ríos The other option is Patrick Wisdom. He can hit the long ball, but the 31-year-old has a career .216 average in just over two full seasons in Chicago.
Ríos' overall numbers aren't enthusiastic either, but he's never had the chance at a full-time gig. It could be a situation where Wisdom is the starter at third base, and Rios platoons, with time coming at other positions as well.
“Been really encouraged with his work ethic,” Ross said of Ríos. “He’s a guy that just comes in and — I think he’s bored at home. He’s headed to the yard and hitting off a tee. We have a night game, he’s here like one o’clock. He likes to be around baseball.”
Either way, third base should be compelling in the early stages of the regular season.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielders (3)
- Ian Happ
- Cody Bellinger
- Trey Mancini
With Suzuki on the IL to start the year, Trey Mancini is an excellent candidate to start the year in right field. The Cubs could also consider Mike Tauchman, but Mancini offers more offensively. He also has 311 career games, including 295 starts in the outfield, so the former Baltimore Oriole and Houston Astro is a logical choice.
When he was signed, Mancini came in with the mindset of playing wherever needed.
“I told (David Ross): ‘I don’t care where I play at all. I like playing. Wherever you want me, I’m there,’" he said.
Bench (4)
- Nick Madrigal
- Zach McKinstry
- Patrick Wisdom
- Christopher Morel
We've already touched on Wisdom. Ríos could easily be here instead.
But Christopher Morel will have to play multiple positions this year for playing time. The same could be said of the entire Cubs bench. Having that versatility and depth is a good thing. It's something recent teams on the North Side have needed to improve since the shift from their core players.
Morel had a decent rookie campaign in Chicago, hitting .235 with 16 home runs and 47 RBI. But he also had a 32.2-percent strikeout rate. With another year of development, that number should decrease.
Nick Madrigal comes into this season with health at the forefront. The former Chicago White Sox infielder was on the injured list three times in 2022. When he was able to play, he didn't exactly impress. Madrigal hit just .209 and drove in seven runs.
The Cubs have him getting a look over at third base in the spring, which, again, is a log jam. But the early results have been promising, including his arm strength.
“I’ve been impressed,” said Ross. “He’s moving really well. Feels like a totally different player than we saw last year where he looked like he was guarded at times and it was hard work to run. The first ball that was hit to him in the infield – (Cubs bench coach Andy Green) hit it pretty hard after hitting balls in the gap on the infield, outfield – moved his feet, gobbled it up well and threw a nice strong throw. He’s moving well. The arm strength is there.
Chicago Cubs Starter Hayden Wesneski
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Rotation (5)
- Marcus Stroman
- Jameson Taillon
- Justin Steele
- Drew Smyly
- Hayden Wesneski
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Hayden Wesneski will likely break camp as the team's fifth starter. He's been outstanding this spring.
"He's definitely got that 'it' factor," Ross said of the young pitcher. "It doesn't feel like things speed up on him at times. And he's got some grit to him."
Javier Assad has also impressed, splitting time with the Cubs and Team Mexico at the World Baseball Classic. The 25-year-old still has minor league options, so starting the year in Triple-A Iowa makes sense.
Adrian Sampson appears to be the odd man out after a rough spring. He could be utilized in a relief role. But there could be just one spot up for grabs out there.
Bullpen (8)
- Michael Fulmer
- Brad Boxberger
- Keegan Thompson
- Adbert Alzolay
- Julian Merryweather
- Brandon Hughes
- Rowan Wick
- Mark Leiter, Jr.
The Cubs anchored the back end of their bullpen with the Fulmer and Boxberger signings. Ross indicated that Thompson and Alzolay would be relievers this year. The early results on Merryweather in spring have been promising. Hughes is the only lefty. Wick has experience closing and has looked nasty when he's on. Mark Leiter, Jr. has pieced together a strong spring thus far, so the final bullpen spot goes to him.
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