The Chicago Cubs are the only team in Major League Baseball that has yet to lose a Spring Training game.
The closest the Cubs came to defeat in Cactus League play was a 4-4 tie against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. It was a game that saw Shota Imanaga get the nod for the Cubs. Imanaga struck out 6 in his 2.2 innings of work but was tagged for 3 runs on 3 hits. Imanaga, the Cubs’ scheduled Opening Day starter, will likely have two more starts before his appearance against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Japan.
The Cubs’ hot start to spring training has ignited hope for the 2025 season. Yes, the record will be wiped clean after March, but some surprising trends could impact the regular season.
3 surprising Cubs’ spring training impressions
1. Gage Workman is a legitimate MLB bench piece
To paraphrase Shaquille O’Neal, I must apologize to Gage Workman, I was not familiar with his game. Whenever a team makes a selection in the Rule 5 draft, the overwhelming likelihood is that the player selected will be returned to their original organization by the end of Spring Training. That is what I had Workman earmarked for despite playing a position of need for the Cubs. Instead, Workman has turned heads in Spring Training. While playing third base, Workman has also showcased an ability to play the corner outfield spots. Beyond his positional versatility, Workman has collected 4 hits in his first 15 at-bats during Spring Training including a home run. Making the jump from being a Double-A prospect to an immediate bench piece on a Major League roster is never easy to project but the Cubs may have found the rare example of that.
2. Brad Keller will make the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen
One of the more intriguing non-roster invitees the Cubs have at spring training is right-handed veteran Brad Keller. Keller’s best season was his rookie campaign with the Kansas City Royals in 2018, posting a 3.08 ERA in 140 innings. With a fastball that averaged out in the mid-90s, it seems that the Cubs’ pitching infrastructure may have unlocked some extra velocity. Keller’s fastball has been sitting in the upper 90s during spring training and he has yet to give up a run in 3.2 innings pitched. Keller could be the non-roster invitee who turns out to be a bullpen staple for the Cubs.
3. Michael Busch has a breakout season loading
The 2025 season will be the season where respect is put on Michael Busch’s name. Despite being one of the Cubs’ top-three hitters last season, Busch is still talked about as if he is an unknown commodity. Again, look at the top offensive first baseman in Major League Baseball last season, you won’t have to go far before you come upon Busch’s name. Nevertheless, Busch is using spring training to announce his arrival. Hitting over .400 with a home run and 7 RBI, now is the time to buy Busch’s stock.