The Chicago Cubs are all set when it comes to their position player situation. But, actually, that’s not entirely the case when it comes to catcher.
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Sure, veteran Carson Kelly has to be seen as the main guy behind the plate ahead of opening day. He earned that spot with a scorching offensive surge over the first part of 2025 and stable, high-quality catching work throughout the season.
But the 31-year-old, despite a good showing last season, can’t be the ONLY option for the Cubs. Chicago, heading into 2026, needs the co-starter setup with which they began the 2025 campaign (and with which they excelled as one of the better catching crews in all of baseball).
But, for that plan to play out over the course of an entire season, they need their young catcher Miguel Amaya to actually stay healthy.
Miguel Amaya’s frustrating 2025
Aug 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya (9) is taken from the game on a cart after injuring his ankle at first base in the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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Amaya had a frustrating 2025 after a breakthrough 2024 with the Cubs. Two months into the season, after establishing himself as a “for real” major league asset in the team’s co-starter arrangement with Kelly, he went down for nearly two-and-a-half months with an oblique strain. Then, in his first game back with the big league squad on August 13, he sprained his ankle running to first base and would remain on the shelf for the rest of the season.
When healthy and present, he accounted well for himself with a .281 batting average, working on a pace to hit 16-17 home runs and drive in about 100. Unfortunately, he only managed to play in 28 games due to injury.
This year, as catchers and pitchers report to spring training, the soon-to-be 27-year-old insists that he’s fully healthy and ready to go. He feels so good, as a matter of fact, that he plans on playing for his native Panama at the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Amaya speaks on health and readiness for 2026
May 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya (9) hits a two run home run during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
“I let the body heal,” Amaya told media, regarding his present tense health. “And after that, when I started back on track with doing everything, I said, ‘Damn, I feel great.’ My body was 100 percent, good to go. I can say in early December I was feeling good to go.”
Underneath Amaya’s optimism, though, is a harsh reality. The Cubs-grown catching asset has a long and troubling history of injury.
All throughout his run as the top catching prospect in the Cubs organization, he’s been slowed down by one injury after another. Aside from the strains and sprains that have hobbled him, he also lost most of the 2022 season in the Cubs’ farm system after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late 2021.
There’s ample evidence to suggest that Amaya may never be that “every day” guy behind the plate.
Then again, however, the Cubs DO need Amaya for as much as he can contribute. Even a semi-healthy 2026, where he can split the games evenly with Kelly, will be a huge plus for the team.
An important piece of the Cubs puzzle
Apr 1, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) and catcher Miguel Amaya (9) celebrate after defeating the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
That’s why Jordan Bastian of MLB.com is regarding Amaya as an intriguing player worthy of keeping an eye on this spring.
Per Bastian:
“Amaya had a breakout showing in the second half of ‘24 and was off to a strong start in ‘25 before injuries (left oblique and left ankle) limited him to 28 games last year. At the time the catcher was shelved on May 24, Chicago’s catchers ranked third in the Majors in both OPS (.792) and weighted runs created plus (121).
Once again, the 26-year-old Amaya is set to begin this season in a timeshare behind the plate with veteran Carson Kelly. If healthy, Amaya has a chance to again assert himself as the potential No. 1 option. Behind Kelly and Amaya, Ballesteros (Pipeline’s top Cubs prospect and No. 55 on the Top 100) occupies the third-string role and is expected to get more catching chances as he continues to develop defensively.”
With not much behind him and a Kelly coming off a career offensive year ahead of him, Amaya needs to stay present and productive. There’s just not much of a catching plan B at this point.
For what it’s worth, Amaya is optimistic about the coming year and the Cubs’ catching arrangement.
“It’s going to be a great year here with the Cubs,” Amaya told reporters on Tuesday. “We’ve got a good squad. For me, the season begins yesterday. My mentality is, ‘I want to win every single game this year.’
“No matter who is playing — if it’s Carson or if it’s myself — we’re going to do damage. We’re going to help our team. We’re going to take care of our pitchers. That’s what we were doing in the beginning of the season. Let’s get back on track.”
As is always the case, time will tell.
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