Chicago Cubs: 3 Options to Hit Leadoff in 2025

Left fielder Ian Happ is probably the most logical choice, given his high on-base percentage and experience in the leadoff role. Happ has 684 career plate appearances batting first for the Cubs, with a slash line of .241/.338/.429 and a wRC+ of 113 in those games. 

306 of those plate appearances came in 2024, when Happ also hit a career-high 25 home runs, drove in 86, and posted a respectable .341 on-base percentage. Even though he doesn't steal a ton of bags (13 last year), the 30-year-old still has above-average speed and he makes good decisions on the base paths. Unlike the other options on this list, Happ's ability to hit from both sides of the plate could also give him an edge in the competition. 

Even if he doesn't hit first, Happ will play a pivotal role in the Cubs' lineup. He's coming off a career-season at the plate and his third straight Gold Glove award in left field. 

CF Pete Crow-Armstrong

If Counsell wants to really drive opposing starting pitchers crazy, Pete Crow-Armstrong hitting leadoff is a good recipe to achieve that goal. Speed is the cornerstone of the young outfielder's game, and he routinely made opposing pitchers uncomfortable with his constant threat to take an extra 90 feet. 

The speedy center fielder swiped 27 bags with ease in just 410 plate appearances, only getting caught three times. With a full season's worth of playing time he could easily vie for the most stolen bases in the league as his sprint speed ranks among the fastest in MLB. But actually getting on base could be the main thing holding Crow-Armstrong back.

The former top prospect struggled mightily at the plate for much of the 2024 campaign, with a .203/.253/.329 slash line in the first half. Although things significantly improved in the second half, where Crow-Armstrong's wRC+ improved by 40 points, the Cubs may want to exercise caution. 

Crow-Armstrong is only heading into his age 23 season in 2025, and he admitted that his struggles at the plate may have stemmed from putting too much pressure on himself. Counsell has also alluded to giving Crow-Armstrong a bit more time to develop as a hitter before committing to him as the full-time leadoff hitter. But he will have plenty of runway, because Crow-Armstrong is primed for a full-time role in center field this year where he can showcase his elite defensive talents. But with his fiery attitude and best-in-class speed, hitting leadoff is certainly in the guy's future. 

2B Nico Hoerner

Second baseman Nico Hoerner has already proven to be a capable leadoff hitter for the Cubs, arguably more so than Happ. The dynamic infielder owns a career .276 batting average and 82 runs scored in 656 plate appearances from the top spot in the order.  

The 27-year-old also strikes out less than the vast majority of hitters in baseball, and he posted a minuscule 10.3 strikeout percentage last year. His excellent control of the strike zone, coupled with elite bat-to-ball skills and plus speed, make Hoerner a fantastic option for the job. 

The main issue for Hoerner is health. The second baseman underwent flexor tendon surgery in October that may sideline him early in the season. Although Counsell said on Monday that the recovery won't cause Hoerner to miss many games, if any at all in 2025, batting him lower in the order could be a smart play to ensure a full recovery. 

But if Happ or Crow-Armstrong go down at some point, Hoerner is a great backup to hit first in the lineup.