Rising stars for the Chicago Cubs
With spring training set to start in late February, each team is filled with hope for a run at a World Series title and fresh faces are ready to make a name for themselves in the majors.
After almost making the playoffs last season, the Chicago Cubs will look to improve upon their 83-79 record from last season and make the playoffs in 2024.
Here are three rising stars who will look to make an impact for the Cubs in 2024.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, outfield
2023 MLB stats: 000/.176/.000, three runs scored and two stolen bases in 13 games played
After a small taste of the majors in 2023, Crow-Armstrong is expected to be patrolling center field for the Cubs in 2024 and beyond.
With great speed and a bat that packs some punch, Crow-Armstrong also possesses the ability to be a game-changer with the glove that will have him in contention for Gold Gloves from day one.
With only 14 at-bats during his debut, he will enter 2024 still looking for his first major league hit. A career .301 hitter over 885 at-bats in the minor leagues, it shouldn't take long for the 21-year-old to get his first hit.
The 2020 first-round draft pick is a good dark horse candidate for the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year if he can figure things out at the plate.
Alexander Canario, outfield
2023 MLB stats: .294/.294/.647, three extra-base hits and six RBI in six games played
After smashing 37 home runs across three minor league levels in 2022, Canario lost most of 2023 to injury but when he was available he made a major impact with his bat.
A call-up to the Cubs in September last season, Canario made his presence felt by smashing a grand slam for his first major league home run.
In six games with the Cubs, he had five hits in 17 at-bats with three of them going for extra-base hits including the grand slam.
Although he is blocked by a crowded outfield in Chicago, Canario will battle for a roster spot during spring training and could force the Cubs to move on from someone to add his powerful bat to the major league roster.
Luke Little, pitcher
2023 MLB stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in six and two-thirds innings pitched
After a dominant showing over his first seven appearances for the Cubs in 2023, the 23-year-old relief pitcher enters the 2024 season as the only left-hander in the Cubs bullpen.
Striking out 12 hitters during his brief time in the majors, Little showed how devastating his stuff can be when paired with his 6-foot-8 frame.
A fourth-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, he quickly ascended through the minors posting a 6-8 record with a 2.50 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 225 strikeouts over 140.1 innings from 2021-2023.
Little is poised to be one of the more under-the-radar breakout stars in 2024 as he looks to help the Cubs make their first postseason appearance since 2020.
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