The Chicago Cubs know they will get contributions this season from players who aren’t yet on their 40-man roster.
Spring training presents an opportunity for those nonroster players to put themselves on the organization’s radar. The Cubs on Monday announced invitations to big-league camp for 18 such players.
The breakdown by position:
Pitchers (8): Jeff Brigham, Grant Kipp, Corbin Martin, Connor Noland, Connor Schultz, Collin Snider, Trent Thornton and Jaxon Wiggins.
Catchers (3): Ariel Armas, Christian Bethancourt and Casey Optiz.
Infielders (4): Scott Kingery, Jonathon Long, B.J. Murray and Jefferson Rojas.
The group notably features two of their top prospects in Wiggins and Rojas, while the position-player invitees give the Cubs depth options with big-league experience in Kingery, Carlson and McCormick.
Carlson and McCormick have the clearest path to making the opening-day roster as the Cubs look for a fourth outfielder to back up their three starters. Both Carlson, a former first-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals, and McCormick, who when healthy played well in Houston, can play all three outfield positions.
The Cubs hold their first formal workout for pitchers and catchers Wednesday at the team’s complex in Mesa, Ariz. Their first full-squad workout is slated for next Monday.
Shortstop is a much deeper position than the rest of the infield positions coming into 2025, with some elite options that should fly off the board in the first round of drafts. If you miss out on studs like Bobby Witt, Francisco Lindor, Gunnar Henderson, or Elly De La Cruz in the first round, fear not; there are a bunch of young and exciting options that we can grab later in our drafts that I feel are primed for a breakout season in 2026. Let’s take a look at the top 15 players at shortstop for this fantasy baseball season.
He’s going as a top 3 pick in most early drafts, but I would still take him one overall, over Judge and Ohtani. He’s a 5-category stud who has yet to have his peak statistical season as of yet. When he does, we could be looking at a triple crown level, MVP season to the tune of .335-35-120-100-50. The triple crown might be tough playing half of his games in Kaufman Stadium, but this guy is more than worth his draft capital at any pick.
2) Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
Sep 28, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) throws out New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (not pictured) at first base after fielding a ground ball during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
I’ll be happy to take any discount I can get with this guy if the other owners decide to hold last year against him. He was hurt to begin 2025, and he never quite got on track as his power numbers dipped from 2024, despite the Orioles lowering the fence in left field. His K rate and walk rate improved slightly, and the speed was there with a career high of 30 steals. If/when he puts it all together, he could put up a 40/40 season. Entering his age-25 season, I’m buying Henderson anywhere I can.
He has settled in as an elite first-round talent that you can count on for .260-30-90-100-25 year in and year out. At 32 years of age, it won’t last forever, but it will last at least another year. His K rate actually dropped a bit last year, and with a little better luck, he could bat closer to .280. He’s a safe late first-round pick who makes a great anchor for your offense.
4) Elly De La Cruz, Reds
The good news is he managed to cut down on his strikeouts. The bad news is that he still got stuck over 180 times. We can live with that. It was actually 6 fewer K’s than Shohei Ohtani, so as long as he can maintain a batting average north of .260, I’m in. The curious part of his game right now is that he still hasn’t had a 30-home run season while playing in that bandbox in Cincy. The power and speed are there for him to put up a 40/40 or even 50/50 season someday, but for now, we’ll take 25+ homers and 35+ steals as a baseline. He’s worth a shot in the late 1st or early second round based on potential alone.
5) Trea Turner, Phillies
Oct 9, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) throws to first for an out in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Turner is another year older, but he’s still a top performer when he’s on the field. If he can manage 140+ games again like he did last year, we’ll take the .300+ average, 15+ homers, and 30+ steals that will come with it. He’s a solid player across the board and may fall a bit in smarter drafts due to his age and lack of upside potential. We aren’t buying him for his potential; we are buying him here because he’s a steady batting average anchor that contributes to all counting stats.
6) Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Much like Turner, his draft stock is somewhat tarnished amongst the “smart crowd”. Entering his age-33 season, most will think he’s on the downside of a great career, and you may be able to pick him up as late as the 4th round in some drafts. As we get closer to the season, his name still carries weight, so he likely won’t last that long in your home league. We are buying here for the same reasons as Turner. He’s a steady contributor across the board, and I’m willing to bet that last year’s batting average dip was due to bad luck and not a slowing bat. He should return to .280-20-80-90-10 in a full season
7) Geraldo Perdomo, Diamondbacks
There is a lot to like here. Perdomo was always a good prospect for Arizona, but nobody saw last year’s breakout coming. He hit 20 home runs, up from a career high of 6, and stole 27 bases, up from his previous best of 16. Most impressive was the .290 batting average and .389 OBP that was fueled by an impressive 94/83 Walk to K ratio. A guy who walks more than he K’s and hits the ball hard is always a good bet to put up stats. His season was such a revelation that the D-backs will now have to find a new position for top prospect Jordan Lawlar. Perdomo will be a top 3 or 4 option if he does it again, and I’m willing to buy in with his current ADP sitting as late as the 5th round.
8) Zach Neto, Angels
Neto is coming off a great year where we saw him elevate his game to some lofty levels by hitting 26 homers along with 26 steals, despite missing over 30 games of the season due to shoulder surgery last offseason. He just turned 25 this offseason, so there’s good reason to think there are even more gains left in his overall arsenal. The strikeouts lowered slightly, but there is still room to improve from last year’s 23.8% whiff rate. He’s not a great base stealer yet, and if he doesn’t improve his .318 OBP from last year, he won’t bat at the top of the lineup and may not get as many chances to run. He will likely be a bit over drafted for my liking, but if he falls to the late 3rd or 4th round, I’m all in. Downside: .230 BA with only 15 steals.
9) Jeremy Pena, Astros
Jun 17, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) during the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Pena is coming off a career year where he batted .304 with 17 homers and 20 steals. The power and steals were there in previous seasons, but the average was quite the revelation. The underlying numbers suggest that .304 is probably an outlier, but the contact gains he made should keep him above his career .271 rate. His numbers last year came in just 127 games, so it’s possible he can flirt with a 30/30 season in 2026 if he stays healthy. He’s a great pick-up in the middle rounds if you missed out on the top options.
10) C.J. Abrams, Nationals
He grew up some last year and was able to replicate his stat line from 2024. He still has yet to put together a full season, but at just 25 years old, that year is coming. The batting average will always be a bit of a risk due to his free-swinging approach, but his upside potential is a 30/40 season. There’s another level here, and I will definitely be buying into it to find it.
11) Jacob Wilson, Athletics
There’s a batting crown coming, and it just might be this year. He also showed some pop in his bat last year as he hit 9 of his 13 homers before missing a month of the season due to a broken arm. If he can stay in the 15-home run range and chip in with a handful of steals, he’ll be well worth a mid-round pick. At worst, he’s a batting average anchor that will chip in 80+ runs and RBI. His full potential is .350-15-90-90-1,0, and we will take that all day long.
12) Dansby Swanson, Cubs
Swanson is an amazing real-life player who gives the Cubs a great clubhouse leader and top-notch defender at shortstop. In fantasy, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag over the last 4 years, and he has plateaued at around a .240 batting average with anywhere from 16 to 27 homers and anywhere between 9 and 20 steals. If we get 25 homers and 20 steals, he’s a winning player; if we get 15 and 9, not so much. The runs and RBI totals have been solid, so he has a decent floor to give us a .245-18-80-80-15 type season. He stays healthy, which is more than we can say for some players.
13) Corey Seager, Rangers
Aug 24, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) cannot field a ball hit by Cleveland Guardians second baseman Brayan Rocchio (not pictured) during the second inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Yep, this is who I meant by “some players”. Seager is one of the best-hitting shortstops in the game, and he very well could have had a Hall of Fame career if he could have managed to stay on the field for 150+ games every year. He has accomplished that feat exactly twice in his 9-year career (10 years including 2020). He teases us every year, but all he seems to do is get another year older. He’s this generation’s Larry Walker at shortstop. If he can manage to play 120 games, he’s worth a draft pick in the middle rounds. When he plays, he bats in a prime spot in the Rangers’ lineup, and he produces across 4 categories. If he falls to the 9th round or so, I can’t pass him up.
14) Bo Bichette, Mets
Bichette found a new home in New York and will fill a new position at the hot corner. The multi-position eligibility enhances his value, as third base has become a bit of a wasteland. Bo is a very good real-life player as he makes great contact, but the power has been trending in the wrong direction, and the stolen bases have almost completely evaporated. The move from The Rogers Centre to Citi Field isn’t going to help much either. Bichette is a good bet to anchor your batting average while chipping in 15+ home runs and decent run/RBI numbers. At just 28 years old, there’s a chance for the speed and power to come back, but I can’t count on that right now.
15) Trevor Story, Red Sox
Story might have made a crossroads deal last season to not only stay healthy for the first time since joining the Red Sox in 2022 but also to put up his best statistical season since 2019 while he was still in Colorado. Last year’s numbers merit a higher draft pick, but I just can’t do it before the 8th or 9th round. If he falls that far, I’m all for adding him to the roster, but his age and injury history make chasing last year’s numbers feel like a fool’s errand. I’ve watched enough episodes of “Supernatural” to know how those crossroad deals end. He will be drafted ahead of somebody like Otto Lopez and Masyn Winn, but I’d prefer to wait and take one of the younger players.
The second base position is pivotal in fantasy as it’s become a bit of a “choose your own adventure” exercise when you are building your team’s roster. There really aren’t many 4-5 category stars anymore (aside from Jazz Chisolm), so you have to decide whether you want to use this spot on your roster to get stolen bases or if you want to take one of the few power-hitting options. Whichever way you choose, the field dries up fairly quickly, so you can’t wait too long to get your guy.
It’s not like the good old days when teams employed the shift and could play somebody like Mike Moustakas at “2B”. Never fear, there happen to be a few young guns in this year’s crop that I’m particularly interested in, so let’s take a look at the 16th-30th ranked players who qualify at the keystone for the 2026 fantasy season.
Signed with the Mets this off-season and is projected to bat in the middle of their order and split 1b/DH duties with Mark Vientos. Polanco is a solid bad that has been able to put up decent numbers everywhere he has played. If he can stay in the lineup for 140+ games, he’s a good bet to put up a .250-25-75 type season
17) Luke Keaschall, Twins
There’s something about Twins prospects who get hurt a lot that has me a little worried about this kid. The skills are there for him to be a fantasy stud, but he is going to need to stay healthy to get there. I’m willing to brave the storm of the Minnesota jinx and chalk last season’s injuries to bad luck.
He has great bat-to-ball skills and has shown a proclivity for stealing bases. The power development is a question, but he has shown double pop in the minors, and that could translate into 10+ home runs.
Sep 23, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero (72) reacts after hitting a walk off single against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
He qualifies at four positions but probably has the most value as a middle to later round 2b. He has led the AL in steals for the past two seasons and doesn’t need a full-time gig to pile up steals. He will begin the season getting a decent run at shortstop while Anthony Volpe rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. Once the team is fully healthy, he’ll have to settle for a super utility role.
He’s a one-category guy, so you will have to make up for the lost power numbers elsewhere. The Yankees don’t exactly let their players run wild, so he will most likely top out around 30-35 steals. He gives you a ton of roster flexibility on top of those steals, so he’s a nice option at middle infield.
19) Nolan Gorman, Cardinals
Last year was a bit of a lost year for Gorman as it appeared that the Cardinals were going to make room for him in their lineup by moving the other Nolan, Arenado, before last season. A year later, they finally parted ways with the potential future Hall of Famer, opening up the hot corner for Gorman.
The power potential is real, but so is the K rate and the extreme fly ball profile. The batting average is going to be low, but if you need power, he has 30 home run upside potential.
20) Willi Castro, Rockies
Of all the landing spots for Castro, this is the one that put him back on my radar for fantasy. He was putting together a journeyman profile over the first 4 years of his career in Detroit, but then he was given a full-time job with the Twins, and he erupted with 33 steals in 2024.
He has enough pop in his bat that he could hit 15 or so out of Coors Field, and with every day at bats, he could get back over 20 steals. He’s likely a utility player in the long run, but for this year, he’s poised for every day at bats in a really bad lineup.
21) Brendan Donovan, Mariners
Traded to Seattle right before camp starts, Donovan figures to be the Mariner’s every day third baseman. At the end of the day, Donovan might be better in real life than he is in fantasy. He doesn’t have a ton of pop, and he doesn’t run.
He’s a steady bat that will chip in across the board while maintaining a solid batting average. There’s nothing sexy to see here, but if you need a safe option to give you .280-10-60-60-5, go ahead and pull the trigger at the end of your draft.
22) Josh Smith, Rangers
Sep 24, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Josh Smith (8) walks to the on deck circle during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Took a bit of a step backward last year as he wasn’t able to build on his 2024 numbers. The power and speed potential is still there, but at 28 years old, I would have expected to see more of it by now. He will play nearly every day around the diamond for Texas and will bat towards the bottom of that lineup, which should mute his run/RBI numbers. He’s a nice addition as he qualifies for a bunch of positions. Upside is 20 homers with 10+ steals.
23) JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals
He’ll qualify at shortstop on draft day, but he figures to be the Cardinals opening day second basemen after they dealt away Brendan Donovan this offseason. With the Cards in full rebuild mode, he’s going to get a shot at every day at bats, and he makes for an interesting late-round option after totaling 17 homers and 23 steals between AA and AAA last season.
The obvious concerns with taking a rookie over a proven veteran still loom, but his upside makes him a much better dart throw than most of the other options around here. I’d much prefer him to older players with low ceilings like Semien or Edman.
24) Marcus Semien, Mets
Semien is another player trying to outrun Father Time. At 35 years old and moving from the friendlier confines of Arlington to Citi Field, it doesn’t give me a ton of hope for this year. The Mets are committed to playing him every day at 2b, and he should bat right in the middle of that lineup.
If he can stay healthy, he has a great shot at slightly improving upon last year’s numbers. While they pale in comparison to his former glory days, a .260-20-70 line isn’t going to hurt your fantasy season
25) Tommy Edman, Dodgers
At this point, every player we discuss is going to have questions coming into this season. It just comes down to which questions we are more comfortable answering for the short term. Edman was a solid contributor in the steals department before chronic ankle injuries ruined that for him over the last 2 years.
He had surgery to address the ankle, so it’s possible he gets back to the 30-steal level he was playing at for the three years prior to 2024. It’s possible, but it’s not likely. He doesn’t have much pop, so we’re taking a flier here, hoping that the steals come back and he contributes to the runs and RBI categories just by being in that Dodger lineup.
26) Cole Young, Mariners
Young is a top 100 prospect, but he more likely profiles as a better real-life player than a fantasy asset. He had some growing pains after being called up, but his bat-to-ball skills tell us he’s much better than a .211 hitter. He should be able to hold off Ryan Bliss to keep the everyday job at 2b in Seattle.
While Bliss might be the more interesting prospect due to his base-stealing ability, Young is more likely the guy who gets the bulk of playing time. He’s solid, but he’s not going to move the needle much in any one category.
27) Lenyn Sosa, White Sox
Aug 17, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Lenyn Sosa (50) hits a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
He qualifies at both 1b and 2b and should play multiple positions again for the White Sox in what should be a fairly fluid daily lineup that could use Sosa’s pop. Sosa is a free swinger who managed 22 home runs last year with a respectable .264 batting average despite a 127-18 walk-to-K ratio.
The bottom might fall out of that average, and his sub-300 OBP will have Chicago looking for better options long term. For now, he makes for a decent option at 2b, while he’s not quite a top 30 1b for me.
28) Romy Gonzalez, Red Sox
Gonzalez is the starter right now in Boston, and based on last year’s numbers, it’s well warranted. He had a bit of a breakout in his age-28 season, fueled by an elite hard-hit rate and his ability to smash left-handed pitching. The batting average is what stands out, as .300 hitters don’t just grow on trees. The power and speed combo is slightly lower than the replacement level for a typical fantasy player, so his upside appears limited.
Just be aware that this Boston team is pretty stacked, and no player is slump-proof. There’s always a chance that the Sox move Marcelo Mayer or Ceddanne Rafaela to 2nd to make room for another bat, so keep an eye on their roster during camp. Downside is he’s on the short side of a platoon.
29) Gabriel Arias, Guardians
He makes for an intriguing option as a late-round pick-up because of his upside potential. He has elite bat speed as well as an athletic profile that suggests he should be able to chip in with some stolen bases. He also swings and misses a ton, and the Guardians have a bunch of other options like Daniel Schneemann, Angel Martinez, and Brian Rocchio that they can plug in for Arias if they grow tired of his .270 on-base average. He’s a late-round flyer with a very low floor.
30) Jonathan India, Royals
He won the rookie of the year award in 2021, and it’s all been downhill since. He will continue to get at-bats for the Royals, and he’s playing for a contract, so there’s a chance that he can have a magical “out of nowhere” season at age 29. If he’s lying around late in your draft, go ahead and grab him and hope for a later career power surge. I’m more likely going to wait for it to happen while he’s on waivers and then pick him up when the younger player that I draft gets hurt or sent to the minors.
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