Chicago Cubs: Miguel Amaya is killing it right now as 2027 Cubs catching decision looms

The Chicago Cubs figured to be pretty set when it came to position players this season. With only the injury to right fielder Seiya Suzuki mucking things up, the team was extremely secure in all eight of its non-pitcher starting spots.

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The team felt especially secure with their catching.

Last season, early quick starts from co-starters Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, plus fill-in pop from Reese McGuire, helped give the Cubs one of the better catching crews in baseball. Even factoring in Amaya’s season-dampening injuries and Kelly’s mid-season fade, Chicago’s catchers still finished the year with 30 combined home runs, 99 RBIs, along with very solid work behind the plate.

This year, McGuire is gone, but Kelly remains, as does a healthy and energized Amaya.

Miguel Amaya on fire

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So far, the 27-year-old Amaya has been killing it on offense and showcasing some quality leadership at his position.

On Sunday, he drove in the winning run in the Cubs 1-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the first game of a double header at Progressive Field. On the year, he’s now hitting .417 in five games with 1 home run and 4 RBIs.

Some experts had been predicting a breakout year from Amaya since spring training, contingent upon the young asset staying healthy.

Amaya, who came through the Cubs’ system as its premier catching prospect, seemed on the verge of a breakout in late 2024. Injuries early into the 2025 season, however, killed his progress. Amaya finished the season with only 28 games played, but he looked like the real deal in all of them.

All-Star bound?

Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic declared during spring training that Amaya could work his way to an All-Star assignment if he managed to stay healthy:

“Many are overlooking Amaya after an injury-plagued 2025, along with Carson Kelly putting up a career year. He’ll continue to split time with Kelly, but Counsell won’t be afraid to lean on one or the other depending on who is playing best.

If Amaya can get off to a hot start with the bat — don’t expect a match of Kelly’s April last season — perhaps he’ll get some attention league-wide. The Cubs are expected to be one of the best teams in the NL, so if Amaya, who has appeared healthy and strong at the plate this spring, hits a hot stretch, the All-Star Game shouldn’t be a stretch.”

Staying healthy, however, is the big qualifier there. Amaya has a long history of injury dating back to his minor league days.

If he can stay on the field, though, he should prove his worth while also helping to keep Kelly fresh for later in the season. After this season, he’ll arguably play an even more important role for the team.

With the Cubs staring down a mutual option with Kelly for 2027, it’s very possible that Amaya could be the team’s only full-time starting catcher next season.

For now, though, the young backstop is focused on this season and on finally living up to his promise over the course of a full year. So far, so good.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-miguel-amaya-red-hot-catching-carson-kelly/