Cubs Minor League Report Card: First Base

Photo courtesy: I-Cubs

by Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Wed Oct 02 12:15:02 GMT-04:00 2024

When the Cubs traded Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees during the 2021 season, they left a gaping hole at first base and no answers for how to fill that hole. They have tried some temporary solutions, like Frank Schwindel, Alfonso Rivas, Eric Hosmer, and Trey Mancini, but none of them had any sustained success, leaving the Cubs in a predicament as to where the future at first base would come from.

Then came the trade for Michael Busch this offseason, which not only worked out in the Cubs' favor but may have given them a long-term answer when you look at his production this season. However, with the Cubs roster needing improvements, especially offensively, Busch could find himself traded this season, which would again leave a massive opening at first base.

Unlike the past few seasons, however, the Cubs do have some answers in the Minor Leagues. Although none of them would be considered long-term answers, they would fill the Cubs' need.

Here are the Minor League report cards for the Cubs' main first basemen of the future:

Matt Mervis

If there was hope for the Cubs to find a long-term answer at first base, Matt Mervis was expected to the answer. An undrafted free agent out of Duke in 2020, it took Mervis a bit to get rolling as he struggled to find his footing in 2021 before having a breakout season in 2022 when he connected for 36 homers and 120 RBIs.

One year later, Mervis continued to produce, hitting 22 more homers and driving in 80 while also getting an opportunity to make his MLB debut. Unfortunately, that debut didn't go well. It does seem like his struggles at the MLB level may have affected his overall success level to the point where he may be another Patrick Wisdom type of player.

In his 36 career MLB games, Mervis has hit .155 with three homers and 14 RBIs. This season was an example of what can happen when you start pressing at the MLB level, as Mervis not only had a down year but also had to deal with his first significant injury. For the season, Mervis played in 81 games and connected for 15 homers and 43 RBIs.

His .235 average was a major concern, as he missed more than a month with an injury. It will be interesting to see how the Cubs view him next season.

Season Grade C: Mash Mervis mania was fun while it lasted as he was the Cubs best power hitting prospect for a year and a half. However, he has been a shell of himself since then, and his struggles at the MLB level have made him nothing more than an AAA player. Expect him to return with the organization as a depth piece again, but don't look for him to contribute at a high level for the big-league club.

Haydn McGeary

Like Mervis, McGeary showed signs of being a legitimate power-hitting first baseman in the past, only to have a down season alter the team's plans for him. Drafted in the 15th round of the 2022 MLB draft, McGeary exploded onto the scene in 2023, where he went on to hit .275 across two minor league levels to go with 19 homers and 88 RBIs.

This season, McGeary started for AA Tennessee and remained there all season, as the tough-hitting environment made life difficult for him. From a power standpoint, McGeary continued to show what he was capable of, although his 12 homers and 63 RBIs were far less than last season.

However, the .208 batting average and the 39BB/126K rate were concerning, as he had an 80BB/121K ratio the year before. AA has always been a challenging level to hit at, but McGeary was overmatched this season and lost at the plate most of the year. It will be interesting to see where the Cubs place him next year.

Season Grade C-: Being that he is a young player and continued to flash the slug that you like to see in a first baseman, McGeary does earn a slightly better grade than most would give him. Despite that, it was a rough season for him and is another classic example of how fast you can go from being at the top of your game only to fall.

Jonathon Long

If there was a long-term answer at first base, 2023 ninth-round pick Jonathon Long could be the solution. Long came into the league as a 1B but played more 3B than most expected last season, which put his versatility on full display. That should change next year if he continues to move through the system, as he produced at the highest level among the 2023 picks not named Matt Shaw.

After hitting .274 with seven homers and 14 RBIs in 2023 to help him finish his season in South Bend, Long began the season in South Bend before reaching Tennessee as he became the Smokies' best pure hitter by the end of the season. Long combined to .283 across 114 games this season, connecting for 17 homers and driving in 70. He also worked 69 walks to go with 101 strikeouts, as he showed good plate discipline and excellent bat-to-ball skills.

What he did with Tennessee stands out, as his .340 average across 46 games is unheard of. He did that while connecting for seven homers and 29 RBIs and taking more walks (35) than strikeouts (33). This is a player to watch next season, as a breakout year could be coming.

Season Grade A- Long had a great season, and it went under the radar when you look at how most experts view the Cubs' farm system. Not only is this a guy who can hit for average, but he does have the power to hit 20-plus homers per season, which is all you can ask for from a corner infielder.

The biggest question remaining for him is whether or not he will be at 1B again next season or move back to 3B, but with Cam Smith plowing through the system, it does look like Long will get another crack at first where he can win the job outright.

BJ Murray Jr. was another player the Cubs had high hopes for following a great 2023 season, but an injury-plagued and rough 2024 season has killed his stock. Chicago also has Carter Trice, Drew Bowser, Cameron Sisneros, and Edgar Alvarez as first base options in its system, as the overall depth at this position is at an all-time high.