On Tuesday, MLB.com senior reporter Jordan Bastian held an “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit with Cubs fans at r/CHICubs. This mailbag features questions and answers from the AMA, the full version of which can be read here. Questions and responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
Who is a breakout player who is on nobody’s radar right now?
One player who has sort of fallen out of the main conversation around the Cubs' pitching is Ben Brown. The current state of the rotation has him as a potential odd man out, but I could see him getting a look as a reliever similar to the second half last year. When Brown is on, he is dominant. Maybe he begins the year at Triple-A Iowa in the name of maintaining depth, but I still think he could be an impact arm.
Here's a quote from Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy from earlier this offseason: “For me, I 100% see him as a starter. ... He’s got the upside to be a really good power pitcher in the back end of the bullpen, but you don’t want to just crown that. You want that to kind of happen. Sometimes it happens because it’s what the team needs. Sometimes it happens because the player shows you that’s his best role."
Are outfielder Kevin Alcántara and righty Gavin Hollowell eligible for a fourth Minor League option in 2026?
Yes, the Cubs secured a fourth Minor League option year for both Alcántara and Hollowell for '26. That is helpful from the team's perspective, as both players can be optioned to Triple-A Iowa to preserve depth if they do not figure into the Opening Day plans.
Roster decisions at the end of camp are never purely based on preseason performance -- contractual factors carry a lot of weight, as does the goal of keeping the depth chart as robust as possible for the start of a long season. But when a player has a Minor League option, it makes on-field performance a way to help convince the team to carry them on Opening Day.
I'd think Alcántara has the better path to winning a job with an impressive spring. The Cubs will need a versatile fourth outfielder behind the main trio, and while Matt Shaw is getting a look, Alcántara could push for a job. That said, Chicago has added other options both on the roster (Justin Dean) and as non-roster invitees (Dylan Carlson and, unofficially, Chas McCormick). Tyler Austin is also expected to be in the backup outfield mix.
How well do you think Matt Shaw adapts to the outfield, and where do the Cubs see him long term?
I'm not saying anything you probably don't already know here, but Shaw had minimal experience at third base and finished the year as a Gold Glove contender. We saw tremendous in-season development from him defensively from Opening Day to the end of the year. He is athletic and has shown a willingness and drive to put in the work needed. And I do not doubt he'll do the same now that manager Craig Counsell and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer have said outfield will be part of his job.
Long term, I think the Cubs still think Shaw is best used in the infield -- and second base is probably his best position down the road. Nico Hoerner is there right now, which is why Shaw is thrust into this super-sub role. If the Cubs and Hoerner do not hammer out an extension (he is a free agent after '26), second base looks like it's there for the taking for Shaw.
Is Moisés Ballesteros still eligible for the PPI next year? Or did he lose eligibility due to his time on the roster last season?
Yes, Ballesteros is still eligible this year under the Prospect Promotion Incentive. And he has a great chance to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster as an option for designated hitter and part-time catcher. Click here for a refresher on the PPI.
Why isn’t there more of a push to develop Ballesteros as a catcher? It would really help with the team’s roster flexibility.
Ballesteros' hitting ability is what carried him quickly up the ladder and to Chicago. Remember, he's still only 22 years old. The Cubs' player development staff has spoken highly of the strides he's made defensively in the last two years, but the big leagues is still a different animal, and there's still more development to go. Counsell has said this winter that Ballesteros will catch more in '26, but his path to at-bats is more as a DH right now. That's partially (mostly?) due to the roster right now. Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya are ahead of him on the depth chart.