So tonight, I want to take a look at a five players currently in the Cubs organization who I think could get the invite to Atlanta for the 2025 All Star Game, as well as a few honorable mentions.
Justin Steele
I feel like this one is a no-brainer. The Pride of Lucedale, and one-time All Star, is on track for another stellar season and one can argue he should have gotten the honor this year despite the hamstring injury that sidelined him for over a month. He's sporting a 2.71 ERA, a sub-one WHIP and seems to look more and more confident and dominant with each start. With some already labeling him as "Little Jon" and the de facto captain of the team, it seems that more All Star selections are only a matter of time. Of course, staying healthy is a priority, but if he can do so while continuing to put up the numbers he has, it's easy to picture him not only getting selected for next year's All Star Game, but for many more to come.
Shota Imanaga
Perhaps it doesn't count to include the man already making the appearance for the Cubs this year, but Shota has done nothing but dominate since coming overseas from a league he was already a two-time All Star in. He's shown that his fastball can play and the splitter is already one of the nastiest in the MLB, and that combination alone can lead a pitcher to sustained success (His 1-2-3 inning in the fourth of this year's All Star Game is further proof that he can hang with the best of them). The league is still making adjustments to him, but if there's one guy who can counter-adjust just as well to pro hitters, wouldn't it be the man dubbed 'The Pitching Philosopher"?
Seiya Suzuki
I, like many, had big hopes for Seiya this year. He came over from the NPB with so much potential as a player, and after the dominant stretch he had to finish last season plus the excellent spring training he had, I was so excited to see him finally put it together and become the dominant force the Cubs needed in the middle of the lineup. Of course, injuries have gotten in the way and he's been prone to the occasional slump, but he's still slashing .270/.334/.479 this year despite all that and I refuse to give up hope on him becoming a superstar for this team. If his obliques can behave and let him continue to get more comfortable against Major League pitching, I think he can truly take off next year and put up some big numbers.
Michael Busch
It's hard to get people to agree on much these days, but I think it's safe to say a majority of Cubs fans agree that the offseason trade for Michael Busch was a good one. The bat has been as advertised, and then some. Even with the rough month of May, where he went through the inevitable rookie slump as pitchers began adjusting to him, he's quickly bounced back and leads the Cubs in OPS at the break. But what I think is being somewhat overlooked is his continued improvement defensively, and I think it's his development in the field that could propel him into the All Star conversation at a loaded position in the National League.
Cade Horton
A man can dream, right? As I sit here watching Pirates rookie Paul Skenes make the start for the NL, it's hard not to feel like the Cubs' top prospect could do something similar in the league next year. Granted, Skenes was one of the most highly-touted pitching prospects in decades, but Horton has been dominant ever since recovering from Tommy John surgery going all the back to the 2022 College World Series with Oklahoma, and was only slowed by a shoulder strain he endured in AAA a few months ago. With the nasty pitch mix he has, the ability the Cubs have shown to develop pitchers in recent years and with another year in the pitch lab under his belt, who's to say Horton can't come up and be the next rookie pitching sensation?
Honorable mentions:
Cody Bellinger: Rookie of the Year in 2017, MVP in 2019 and a bounce back year in 2023 with the Cubs where he was named a Silver Slugger. Maybe he's just an odd-year kind of guy?
Nico Hoerner: Your favorite player's favorite player. An elite glove with better bat skills than what his stats show so far this year. With his hustle and work ethic, it's only a matter of time before he gets the recognition he deserves.
Pete Crow-Armstrong: The last game before this year's All Star break was a showcase of PCA's ceiling as a player. He's got all five tools and the flair to go with it. A hot start to next season could easily make him a fan favorite across the league and propel him to Atlanta.
Ian Happ: He's becoming a perennial gold glover in left field, and if he can just pretend that he's playing against the rest of the NL Central in every game, he could easily get his second All Star nod.
Hunter Bigge: Why not?
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