Jack Lindsay

Image courtesy of © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images With the Cubs signing Chas McCormick and Dylan Carlson as non-roster invitees to spring training, a competition has emerged for the fourth outfield spot between Carlson, McCormick, Kevin Alcántara, and Justin Dean. The starting outfield appears set, with Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki entrenched as everyday options and Pete Crow-Armstrong coming off a stellar 2025 season. However, if one of these three candidates can establish himself as a legitimate option, it could significantly open up the lineup. Suzuki’s defensive limitations in the outfield and Crow-Armstrong’s continued struggles against left-handed pitching create a clear opportunity for a complementary piece to carve out meaningful playing time. Kevin Alcántara (AAA): .266/.349/.370, 17 HR, 59 RBI Alcántara would be the ideal option for the Cubs. He has long been one of the organization’s top prospects and appears to be on the verge of making a consistent impact at the major-league level. The additions of Carlson, Dean and McCormick do not necessarily indicate that the Cubs have lost faith in Alcántara, but it is notable that they felt compelled to add competition as spring training approaches. The lanky Dominican Republic native provides the most upside as a platoon or rotational option, particularly if the Cubs need to give Crow-Armstrong and his glove a rest. That need becomes even more pronounced if Crow-Armstrong reverts to his 2024 offensive form, when his free-swinging tendencies led to extended struggles. Despite his ability to drive the ball with authority, however, Alcántara has major swing-and-miss concerns. He struck out 29.8 percent of the time in Triple A, and strikeout rates often increase upon promotion to the majors. In his brief major-league stint in 2025, that rate climbed to 33.3%, though the sample is too small to draw conclusions therefrom. There are encouraging signs within that profile. Alcántara punished fastballs, posting an expected slugging percentage of .546 against four-seamers, .486 against sinkers, and .609 against cutters. Sliders were a different story. They were the pitch he saw most often, and resulted in an expected batting average of just .185. Major-league pitchers are likely to exploit that weakness with a steady diet of breaking balls. Chas McCormick (MLB): .210/.279/.290, 1 HR, 5 RBI McCormick was added to provide major-league experience to the mix of players vying for the backup outfield gig. It has now been two years since his breakout 2023 season, when he produced 3.3 fWAR and a 132 wRC+. That year was fueled by significant overperformance relative to his expected metrics, and once those numbers regressed, he has not been able to recover. The core issue is his lack of power. McCormick ranks among the weakest power hitters in the league, with well below average barrel rates and exit velocities despite possessing roughly average bat speed. His plate approach has also deteriorated. He's too passive within the strike zone and chases at one of the highest rates in baseball outside it. This signing appears to be a low-risk bet on his pre-2024 track record, when he was an above-average offensive contributor and provided steady defense in center field. FanGraphs currently projects McCormick to break camp with the team, which represents the most conservative option, but it would require the team making space on the 40-man roster for him. Justin Dean (AAA): .289/.378/.431, 6 HR, 60 RBI Dean was claimed off waivers from the Dodgers and occupies a spot on the 40-man roster. Based strictly on Triple-A production, he profiles as a slightly improved version of McCormick. Like McCormick, he does not hit the ball particularly hard, but his plate discipline is notably better than that of both McCormick and Alcántara. His low chase rate will keep him in the Opening Day conversation, but it is difficult to see him separating himself meaningfully from the other options. His exit velocity data suggests that his Triple-A OPS should be taken with caution, as it is unlikely to translate into an above-average major-league offensive profile. Dean ultimately looks like quality depth. Given the inevitability of an injured list stint over the course of the season, he is well-positioned to be the first call up. Barring an unexpected breakout, he should begin the year in Triple A and cycle up as needed. With all three minor-league options remaining, multiple appearances throughout the season should be expected. Most of his value lies in his leather. Dylan Carlson (MLB): .203/.278/.336, 6 HR, 20 RBI The former Cardinals prospect and promising youngster has gone to seed. There's not even much value left in his glove, if you trust the numbers, and his bat is a wet noodle. Not even a stay in Baltimore, where they're great at boosting bat speed, could do anything for him. However, Carlson is smart enough to take a patient approach and still has a reputation for solid defense in center field. He's another non-roster player, so there's zero risk in bringing him in and letting the competition play out. In all likelihood, though, the Cubs are hoping one of the other three will win the job. Who is the best option? If he plays well in camp, Alcántara should get the nod. McCormick appears to be a declining asset, and Dean has already been moved twice this offseason. Carlson is the failsafe—the absolute backstop. The Cubs have invested too heavily in Alcántara’s development to continue delaying the evaluation. It's time to find out what they have at the major league level, unless one of the others in the competition asserts themselves too forcefully to be ignored. View full article