CHICAGO -- There are plenty of players who will attract the spotlight during Spring Training for the Cubs. New additions like third baseman Alex Bregman and righty Edward Cabrera will garner ample attention, while center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong’s blossoming stardom will generate steady headlines in the buildup to Opening Day.
As the North Siders begin preparing for a run at the National League Central crown and another potential October push, contributions from every part of the roster will be crucial. Beyond the main stars, here are five Cubs players who will be intriguing to monitor throughout the spring:
The early portion of the Cubs’ offseason was focused on Imanaga, given the ballclub’s decision to decline the layers of club options within his original contract. That led to a choice for the pitcher, who ultimately accepted a one-year qualifying offer to stay in Chicago for the ‘26 season. That gives Imanaga the opportunity to show that his second-half fade last season was more fluke than forecast.
One possible explanation for Imanaga’s struggles down the stretch (5.17 ERA in final 12 starts and an 8.10 ERA in two playoff outings) is a hamstring injury in April that impacted his delivery. While it can be tough to draw conclusions from Spring Training results, it will be important to track Imanaga’s progress and hear the plan in place for the lefty. If he can get closer to his ‘24 form, that would be a huge boost for the Cubs.
2. Matt Shaw
Barring a trade that again shakes up Chicago’s infield situation, Shaw looks poised for a super utility role after Bregman joined the fold as the new starting third baseman. Coming off an up-and-down rookie campaign, the 24-year-old Shaw can serve as a backup at second base, shortstop and third, while also trying his hand as a part-time outfielder.
Shaw has already started getting outfield work done in Arizona and will continue to do so to offer another way to keep him in the lineup regularly. Shaw could also get at-bats as a designated hitter, helping ease any pressure on rookie Moisés Ballesteros (currently projected to mainly get action as a DH). Shaw’s adjustment to this more versatile role will be a storyline all spring.
3. Miguel Amaya
Amaya had a breakout showing in the second half of ‘24 and was off to a strong start in ‘25 before injuries (left oblique and left ankle) limited him to 28 games last year. At the time the catcher was shelved on May 24, Chicago’s catchers ranked third in the Majors in both OPS (.792) and weighted runs created plus (121).
Once again, the 26-year-old Amaya is set to begin this season in a timeshare behind the plate with veteran Carson Kelly. If healthy, Amaya has a chance to again assert himself as the potential No. 1 option. Behind Kelly and Amaya, Ballesteros (Pipeline’s top Cubs prospect and No. 55 on the Top 100) occupies the third-string role and is expected to get more catching chances as he continues to develop defensively.
The Cubs overhauled their bullpen this offseason, bringing in Phil Maton, Jacob Webb, Hoby Milner and Harvey on Major League deals. It will take time for manager Craig Counsell to sort out designated roles for his cast of new and returning arms, but the 31-year-old Harvey (one-year deal worth $6 million guaranteed) offers an intriguing possibility to emerge as a late-inning option.
Injuries marred Harvey’s time with the Royals (back injury in ‘24, plus a right teres major strain and right adductor strain in ‘25), but the ingredients of an impact arm are there. Across 2022-23 with Washington, the righty averaged 98.3 mph with his fastball and spun a 2.70 ERA with 112 strikeouts and 25 walks in 100 innings. Harvey averaged 96.1 mph with his heater in limited MLB action in ‘25, while posting a 0.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings.
5. Ben Brown
The 26-year-old Brown earned a spot in the rotation at the start of last season, but inconsistent results eventually pushed him into a multi-inning relief role for the Cubs. At the moment, the righty is among a group of arms (along with Javier Assad, Colin Rea and Jordan Wicks) who serve as depth behind the starting staff, but could also fit in the bullpen.
How the Cubs proceed with Brown will be interesting to follow this spring. He has a power fastball and plus curve that make him an intriguing bullpen option, but he could also be optioned to Triple-A to stay in a starting role. In the Majors, Brown has a 5.26 ERA with 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings and a 3.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio as a starter (114 2/3 innings), compared to a 4.79 ERA with an 11.7 K/9 and a 4.4 K/BB as a reliever (47 innings).