2024 Chicago Cubs Positional Preview - Shortstop

When I volunteered to write the positional preview for shortstop this year, I had great intentions to focus writing on one of my favorite current Chicago Cubs: Dansby Swanson.

With a team that is struggling for clarity on the corners of the diamond, it is comforting to know how solid up the middle this team is. Let’s take a look at the depth at this position in 2024:

The Starter: Dansby Swanson
2023 Stats: .244/.328/.416, 24.1 K%, 10.3 BB%, .172 ISO, 104 wRC+, 4.9 fWAR
2024 Projections (ZiPS): .254/.327/.428, 24.2 K%, 9.2 BB%, .173 ISO , 4.1 fWAR

Scouting Report: More than just a creative Twitter/X handle, the Cubs found almost dill-sergeant-claiber consistency and production at shortstop, with the targeted approach of significantly increasing the defensive floor. Long after Jed Hoyer locked himself away in a hotel room to watch every Swanson infield play, we were introduced to a well-spoken, hard-working defensive wizard at the Friendly Confines in 2023. 

Entering Year 2 of his seven-year contract, the Cubs are looking for Dansby to match his production from last year, as ZiPS anticipates. Swanson will provide top-of-the-league defense at shortstop as he searches for his third straight Gold Glove. For the Cubs to find another level to this offense, Swanson will need to see some of his 2022 slugging return. Good for a top-15 finish in doubles, along with famously high numbers in the total games played column, Swanson should build on his increasing OBP and walk rate to grab his pitch and do more damage. 

How will Dansby outperform his projections? Off-speed damage. In 2023, pitchers started using their change-up 3.8% more often vs. Swanson, producing -7 run value for him with nearly a 40% whiff rate. For a guy whp destroys fastballs, it is not surprising to see such a stark difference. 

Other Options: I knocked on wood before I typed this section, as I am not superstitious, but a little stitious. Thankfully, the Cubs do have some depth at this position, with Nico Hoerner having acquitted himself nicely at short prior to Swanson's signing. In addition, we could see an advanced-bat prospect like Matt Shaw help man the infield in such a scenario. Miles Mastrobuoni is an excellent bench player for the roster to spell Swanson from time to time. 

Ultimately, offense from Swanson is a bonus, given his extreme defense value to this team. If there is a scenario in which Swanson’s innings need to be covered, there are creative bat-first/glove-first levers for this front office to pull. 

We salute you, Lieutenant Dans!