Chicago Cubs: 2026 1st quarter report card, 3 A’s and 3 F’s

The Chicago Cubs are 27-14 through the first 41 games of the 2026 MLB season. A popular preseason pick to win the National League Central, Chicago currently leads the division by 3.5 games over the Milwaukee Brewers, who won the NL Central in each of the previous three years.

After a slow start to the year, the Cubs have rattled off two different 10-game winning streaks and appear to be the force that many thought they would be.

Looking back on the first quarter of the season, there are several players who have lived up to expectations, and others who have come up short in many ways.

Chicago Cubs players deserving of an A on the first quarter report card

Chicago has been fortunate to have several players live up to or exceed the expectations set for them before the season began. Some others have yet to completely meet those set for them, but are getting along just fine and hopefully will find more success as the season goes on.

So far, though, these three players are especially worthy of some recognition.

1. Nico Hoerner

Chicago’s All-Star/Gold Glove second baseman is, once again, proving that he is one of the best players at his position in the league. Through the first 41 games of the season, Nico Hoerner is hitting .278/.351/.426 with four home runs, 28 RBI, and eight stolen bases.

What is more impressive, though, is that he has walked (16 times) more than he has struck out (15 times).

2. Shota Imanaga

When the Cubs extended Shota Imanaga a one-year $22 million qualifying offer, many fans were upset/confused. He was 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA in 2025 and most did not believe he was worth it.

But with Chicago’s starting pitching rotation decimated by injury this year, Imanaga has been a stabilizing force. Through eight starts in 2026, he is 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA.

3. Seiya Suzuki

Another player that was considered unpopular with fans entering 2026, Seiya Suzuki missed the first few weeks of the season due to a knee injury he suffered during the World Baseball Classic. Since his return, though, he has been one of the better bats in their lineup.

In 27 games played, Suzuki is hitting .293/.403/.535 with seven home runs and 16 RBI. Last year, he hit .245/.326/.478 with 32 home runs and 103 RBI. It was the first time he hit 30+ home runs and drove in 100+ runs in his Major League career.

Chicago Cubs players that get an F on their first quarter report card

While the players listed above have played well and arguably are exceeding the expectations fans had for them, others on the team are not living up to the hype that surrounded them going into the season.

If the Cubs are going to hold off their division rivals, the following players need to snap out of it and start producing.

1. Alex Bregman

After signing a five-year $175 million contract with Chicago in free agency, Alex Bregman was thought to be the offensive replacement for Kyle Tucker, who ditched the Cubs for Los Angeles.

Through the first quarter of the season, though, Bregman is hitting just .233/.328/.333 with three home runs and 13 RBI. Last year, he hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 82 RBI in Boston.

Needless to say, the Cubs were hoping for a lot more from Bregman than they have been getting.

2. Phil Maton

Chicago’s bullpen has been dealing with some injury issues themselves, and Phil Maton has been among those that have spent some time on the injured list.

Even when healthy, though, Maton has struggled half the time. He is currently 0-1 with a 7.45 ERA in 11 appearances this season. Fortunately, he has not allowed an earned run in his last five appearances, so perhaps he is turning a corner. Up to this point, though, his overall performance has not been what the Cubs expected.

3. Dansby Swanson

Make no mistake, Dansby Swanson is still one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. However, his performance at the plate this season has been sub-par, even by his standards. In his first three seasons with Chicago, Swanson hit .243/.313/.408.

This season, he is hitting .201/.313/.373. His walk percentage is up, which is nice; but his batting average on balls in play is down. Hopefully he gets some better luck at the plate going forward, but as of now it is concerning to see him flirting with the Mendoza line.

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