The Chicago Cubs are off to a hot start in 2025 with a 14-10 record and 5/8 series victories so far.
The early returns are very encouraging for the team’s playoff hopes, especially when you consider the sheer talent the Cubs have competed against so far. Every team the Cubs have faced currently has a record above .500, except for the Athletics, who likely would have more wins than losses had the Cubs not swept them earlier this month.
Right Fielder Kyle Tucker has been a massive factor in the team’s success, and his presence in the lineup seems to be lifting the rest of the group. But other key contributors have also emerged to supplement Tucker’s impressive start. If these five players continue to dominate, they could look to make their first All-Star game appearance in 2025.
1. 1B Michael Busch
In the first month of the season, first baseman Michael Busch is emerging as a legitimate threat
in the Cubs’ lineup. Although Tucker is clearly the biggest left-handed hitting threat on the team, Busch is not far behind him.
Busch is second to Tucker on the team in OPS (.994), home runs (5), extra-base hits (12), on-base percentage (.386), third in RBIs (16), and first on the team in batting average (.316). It’s looking like a breakout season for the 27-year-old and it couldn’t come at a better time.
With uncertainty at the third base position and shortstop Dansby Swanson struggling at the plate, Busch’s emergence gives the team a left-handed slugger in the heart of the batting order who has helped the offense score more runs than anyone in the opening weeks of 2025.
Although Counsell has been consistently penciling Busch into the cleanup spot this year, he is still reluctant to start him against left-handed pitching and Busch only has eight plate appearances vs. southpaws this year. The next step in the first baseman’s growth would be to face more lefties and hopefully hold his own and find at least moderate success against them. With Justin Turner slumping hard at the plate, now seems like a good time to test Busch against lefties. But if Busch keeps up this kind of production only against righties, there is still a good shot he makes his first All-Star game.
2. LHP Matthew Boyd
Matthew Boyd has been a nice surprise out of the starting rotation this year. After signing his $29 million contract in the offseason, the southpaw owns a 2.01 ERA through his first four starts, with 20 strikeouts through 22.1 innings pitched.
As a 34-year-old who has undergone two elbow surgeries in the last five years, Boyd is proving that he still has gas left in the tank and he has been able to limit damage against some of the tougher opponents the Cubs have faced so far. He was able to log quality starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, while recording solid five-inning outings against the Diamondbacks and another with San Diego.
Boyd’s positive attitude has also been a nice addition to the Cubs’ clubhouse, with teammates complimenting his outlook. Boyd’s grandfather was also a Cubs fan, adding another layer of emotion to his brief time in Chicago.
3. DH/RF Seiya Suzuki
Tucker’s addition to right field seems to be having a positive impact on Seiya Suzuki, who has shifted into a full-time designated hitter (DH) role. Through his first 94 plate appearances, Suzuki has collected 22 hits, six home runs, 18 RBIs, 11 walks, and a wRC+ of 147. The former Japanese star has always hit the ball hard, but now it looks like the results are finally showing up in his statistics.
If you extrapolate Suzuki’s numbers over the course of a season, he’s on pace to hit 30+ home runs and drive in more than 100 RBIs. These are the kind of marks that the Cubs have always hoped Suzuki could reach, and it looks very possible in the early going with big on-base guys like Tucker and Ian Happ hitting in front of him.
4. CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
Pete Crow-Armstrong is looking to put it all together in his first full MLB season, and the 23-year-old is on his way to reaching that All-Star caliber of production. Crow-Armstrong currently ranks 14th in Fangraphs WAR (1.2) thanks to his elite glove in center field and best-in-class speed on the basepaths, the latter of which has already secured him eight stolen bases (tied for 2nd in the league).
The young outfielder’s bat is always the big question, but the production has been solid this year with 3 home runs, 10 RBIs, a 117 wRC+, and a slash line of .258/.310/.462. Taking more walks would propel Crow-Armstrong’s on-base percentage and allow him to do what he does best, which is stealing bases and terrorizing opposing pitchers and defenses.
Crow-Armstrong has also shown improvement by using the opposite field to collect base hits, and he already has six multi-hit games under his belt this year. With a bit more plate discipline and power, there’s a good chance the speedy outfielder can nab an All-Star bid.
5. C Carson Kelly
Backup catcher Carson Kelly has been one of the most surprising stories in MLB this year, let alone in Chicago. The 30-year-old has never been an outstanding hitter in his career, with a career wRC+ of 90. Like many catchers, he’s known more for his defensive skills behind the dish, but you wouldn’t know it from what he’s been able to accomplish in 2025.
Kelly is leading all MLB catchers in fWAR (1.3), RBIs (18), walk rate (24.5%), and is second in wRC+ (284). Kelly has also recorded the first cycle from a Cubs’ hitter since Mark Grace in 1993, cementing himself in Chicago history just a couple of weeks into his stint with the team.
Kelly and his teammate Miguel Amaya have also revived the Cubs’ offensive production out of the catcher’s spot, which has gone from bottom five in the league last season to first so far in 2025 (191 wRC+). Injuries have plagued Kelly throughout his career, so staying healthy will play a factor in his overall numbers in 2025, but he is off to a historic start and it’s been a joy to watch.
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