The Chicago Cubs’ Opening Day roster is all set. For the most part, the spring played out exactly as expected, except for the WBC knee injury of Seiya Suzuki which shouldn’t be too much of an early setback.
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But, after making some big offseason moves, big things are expected of this 2026 Cubs team and the pressure is on.
There are a number of possible breakout stars and team MVP candidates on this roster. It could be argued that Chicago’s success this coming season hinges on some heroes stepping up to next-level achievement.
Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic has boldly predicted two such heroes for the coming season, both 20-something assets who are also key to the team’s success for years to come
A Cy Young year for Cade Horton?
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Sharma is predicting big things for Cade Horton, who’s coming off an eye-catching rookie season.
Horton wasn’t even supposed to be on the big league Cubs’ roster last year, but an injury to Shota Imanaga in May forced him up from Iowa. The kid responded, big time. After a solid start to his majors career, he caught fire after the All-Star break, going 8-1 and posting an amazing 1.03 ERA in twelve starts. In that stretch of time, he was, arguably, the best pitcher in all of baseball and came in second place in Rookie of the Year voting because of it.
The 24-year-old Horton’s late-spring training performances this year would seem to indicate that he’ll start 2026 right were he left off in 2025 before a rib injury cost him his final games of the year.
Per Sharma:
“Craig Counsell is trying to tamp down expectations for the young righty. He knows matching, let alone topping, last season’s success will be a challenge. He’s warned against it…
Horton had a 2.67 ERA over 118 innings last year, finishing runner-up in NL Rookie of the Year voting. He was incredibly efficient, almost forced to with a tight pitch count. The one area he can improve is strikeout rate, which was a mere 20.6 percent last summer. Yet, over his last nine starts, that number jumped to 26 percent while his already strong walk rate dropped to 4.7 percent.
If Horton can stay even close to those peripherals and add 60 innings to his total, he’s a likely Cy Young candidate.”
Miguel Amaya, All-Star?
The 27-year-old catcher seemed on the verge of a breakout in late 2024. Injuries early into the 2025 season, however, stopped his progress. Amaya finished last season with only 28 games played, but he looked like the real deal in all of them.
This spring he looks strong and healthy, hitting .308 with 2 home runs in 26 at bats over 10 games.
For the longest time, Amaya was considered the premier catching prospect in the Cubs’ system and 2026 could be the year he finally realizes his full potential in the majors.
Per Sharma:
“Many are overlooking Amaya after an injury-plagued 2025, along with Carson Kelly putting up a career year. He’ll continue to split time with Kelly, but Counsell won’t be afraid to lean on one or the other depending on who is playing best.
If Amaya can get off to a hot start with the bat — don’t expect a match of Kelly’s April last season — perhaps he’ll get some attention league-wide. The Cubs are expected to be one of the best teams in the NL, so if Amaya, who has appeared healthy and strong at the plate this spring, hits a hot stretch, the All-Star Game shouldn’t be a stretch.”
Having an entire year of Horton’s dominance and a breakthrough full season from Amaya would go a long way in guaranteeing the Cubs’ success in 2026. Soon enough, the actual season will begin and everyone will see what’s what.
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