Chicago Cubs: 3 position players not named Pete Crow-Armstrong that need to improve after slow start

Prior to the 2026 MLB season, many predicted that the Chicago Cubs would be one of the favorites to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League crown and, perhaps, win the World Series. Fans and analysts pointed to the young firepower of their lineup, their high-ceiling starting rotation, and the leadership of Craig Counsell as reasons for these predictions.

After 12 games though, the Cubs are left with more questions than they had during the off-season. Matthew Boyd is on the injured list and Cade Horton is out for the year. Due to these injuries, the starting rotation is in dire straights.

Additionally, multiple Cubs position players have gotten off to slow starts at the plate. Notably, Pete Crow-Armstrong has been struggling ever since signing his long contract extension. However, Counsell said recently he has no worries about his All-Star centerfielder.

There are, though, three other players that need to start producing as well.

1. Michael Busch

Last year, first baseman Michael Busch was a pleasant surprise for Chicago, hitting .261/.343/.523 with 34 home runs and 90 RBI. Because of his power explosion, he had high expectations set for him by the team and fans coming into 2026.

So far, he has not lived up to them.

Through 12 games, Busch is hitting .140/.255/.186 with no home runs and two RBI.

As if those numbers were not disappointing enough, the real frustration with these stats comes in his splits against right-handed pitchers compared to left-handed. It is well-known that Busch has hit right-handed pitching better (as he is left-handed), but early on this year he is hitting .121/.194/.182 against righties. Against lefties, he is hitting .200/.400/.200.

2. Alex Bregman

Chicago’s biggest off-season free agent signing was bringing in third baseman Alex Bregman on a five-year $175 million contract. Obviously, that kind of money sets a pretty high standard for play, one that the three-time All-Star has yet to meet in a Cubs uniform.

Last year, Bregman hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI for the Boston Red Sox. This year, he is hitting .188/.278/.333 with two home runs and three RBI for Chicago.

It is a long season, and history shows that Bregman will figure it out before too long. Right now, though, he has been disappointing at the plate.

3. Moises Ballesteros

Because Moises Ballesteros had nothing left to prove in the minor leagues as a hitter, the Cubs made the decision to add him to their Opening Day roster, planning on using him primarily as a designated hitter. After all, Ballesteros hit .298/.394/.474 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 20 Major League games last year, Chicago hoped that he would be able to contribute right away in 2026.

He has not.

Through 10 games, Ballesteros is hitting .222/.290/.333 with a home run and five RBI. He is still young and, of course, it is still early. Still, Chicago will need their best hitting prospect to start hitting before they decide to send him back to Triple-A.

More Chicago Cubs news from Wisconsin Sports Heroics

• Craig Counsell is not worried about Pete Crow-Armstrong’s slow start
• Another Cubs starter out of lineup due to injury
• Cubs sound notes of starting pitching positivity after stretch of bad luck

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-michael-busch-alex-bregman-moises-ballesteros/