The 2025 season was a massive step forward for the North Siders, finishing 92-70 and proving that the “Next Great Cubs Team” is no longer a myth—it’s on the field. But as any Bleacher Nation regular knows, the sophomore slump is real.
If we’re looking at who will sustain their breakout success into 2026, there are three names that stand above the rest.
1. PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG (CF)
The 2025 Reality: PCA didn’t just break out; he became the heartbeat of the team. Finishing with 31 HR and 35 SB, he joined the elite 30-30 club while maintaining Gold Glove-caliber defense.
- Why it stays: His power surge wasn’t a fluke—it was the result of a physical transformation and better plate discipline. Even if his HR numbers regressed slightly to 25, his speed and defense make him a 5-WAR floor player. He is the engine of the 2026 roster.
2. MICHAEL BUSCH (1B)
The 2025 Reality: Busch silenced every critic who said he was just a “Quad-A” hitter. He posted a 140 wRC+ and emerged as the 4th most valuable first baseman in MLB (trailing only stars like Matt Olson and Freddie Freeman).
- Why it stays: Busch’s underlying metrics (barrel rate and hard-hit %) are elite. The big question for 2026 is whether Craig Counsell lets him hit against lefties full-time. Even in a platoon, his bat is too consistent to “disappear.” He has solidified the “cold corner” for the next half-decade.
3. PORTER HODGE (RHP)
The 2025 Reality: The bullpen found its “X-Factor.” Despite a rough patch in mid-2025, Hodge finished the year with electric stuff and 9 saves, proving he can handle high-leverage late-inning scenarios.
- Why it stays: His .132 opponent batting average is the stuff of nightmares for hitters. As long as his walk rate stays manageable, Hodge’s “swing-and-miss” profile is exactly what survives year-over-year in a volatile MLB bullpen.
THE “WILD CARD”: MATT SHAW
Keep your eye on Matt Shaw. After a shaky start to 2025, his second-half surge (.839 OPS) suggests he is ready to take over third base permanently in 2026. If he starts April the way he finished September, he won’t just “stay great”—he might become the team’s best hitter.
2026 BREAKOUT SUSTAINABILITY TIER LIST
| Player | 2025 “Pop” | Sustainability Outlook | 2026 Projected Role |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | 31 HR / 35 SB | Very High | All-Star CF / Leadoff |
| Michael Busch | 140 wRC+ | High | Everyday 1B / Middle-Order |
| Porter Hodge | 1.88 ERA (2024 Base) | Medium-High | Primary Setup / Closer |
| Shota Imanaga | 3.73 ERA | High | Veteran Rotation Anchor |
