Once a top prospect, Dylan Carlson is dominating spring training, aiming for an Opening Day roster spot on the Cubs, battling injuries and slumps.
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Video Transcript
What is up, Cubs fans?
What is up, Cubs fans?
And welcome back to Cubs Roundtable.
And welcome back to Cubs Roundtable.
I’m Joey Polizzi, talking about all things Cubs.
I’m Joey Polizzi, talking about all things Cubs.
And obviously, one of the biggest storylines heading into spring training was who’s gonna earn that last, that fourth outfield spot out of spring?
And obviously, one of the biggest storylines heading into spring training was who’s gonna earn that last, that fourth outfield spot out of spring?
And it was between guys like Dylan Carlson, Jas McCormick, Justin Dean, Michael Conforto, who just recently signed, and Kevin Alcantara.
And it was between guys like Dylan Carlson, Jas McCormick, Justin Dean, Michael Conforto, who just recently signed, and Kevin Alcantara.
Those are the guys, the five outfielders who were gonna be fighting for that fourth outfield spot.
Those are the guys, the five outfielders who were gonna be fighting for that fourth outfield spot.
And early on, it’s kinda been clear who the favorite has been among the bunch, and that has been Dylan Carlson.
And early on, it’s kinda been clear who the favorite has been among the bunch, and that has been Dylan Carlson.
Now, I know, you know, the Cub entered the off-season not knowing what they were gonna get out of Carlson, ’cause Carlson has really struggled in, over the past three years at the plate.
Now, I know, you know, the Cub entered the off-season not knowing what they were gonna get out of Carlson, ’cause Carlson has really struggled in, over the past three years at the plate.
Not really good last year with the Orioles.
Not really good last year with the Orioles.
Really struggled at the plate, wasn’t good.
Really struggled at the plate, wasn’t good.
Barely hit 200.
Barely hit 200.
The home runs weren’t there, only six.
The home runs weren’t there, only six.
So all around, it wasn’t a great 2025 campaign for Carlson.
So all around, it wasn’t a great 2025 campaign for Carlson.
And then, in both 2024 and 2023 also didn’t post solid numbers at the plate, and also, he dealt with a few injuries throughout both of those years.
And then, in both 2024 and 2023 also didn’t post solid numbers at the plate, and also, he dealt with a few injuries throughout both of those years.
So just, things were trending down, obviously, for Carlson entering 2026.
So just, things were trending down, obviously, for Carlson entering 2026.
But the best hitter for the Cubs in this spring has been Dylan Carlson, the player that the Cubs signed to a minor league deal this off-season.
But the best hitter for the Cubs in this spring has been Dylan Carlson, the player that the Cubs signed to a minor league deal this off-season.
So far, he is batting 500 at the plate.
So far, he is batting 500 at the plate.
He is 8 for 16 with two doubles, two RBI, five walks, and he’s not striking out with only three strikeouts.
He is 8 for 16 with two doubles, two RBI, five walks, and he’s not striking out with only three strikeouts.
He has looked actually really disciplined at the plate.
He has looked actually really disciplined at the plate.
Looked really good.
Looked really good.
Strikeout rate is low, walk rate is high, whip rate is low.
Strikeout rate is low, walk rate is high, whip rate is low.
He is doing a good job being patient at the plate, taking his pitches, and when he does, he has, a pitch in the zone, he cranks it.
He is doing a good job being patient at the plate, taking his pitches, and when he does, he has, a pitch in the zone, he cranks it.
So a nice job by Carlson.
So a nice job by Carlson.
If it ended today, Carlson, I think, would be the favorite to earn that fourth outfield spot.
If it ended today, Carlson, I think, would be the favorite to earn that fourth outfield spot.
He has looked good.
He has looked good.
He’s a switch hitter, so he gives the Cubs a right-handed and a left-handed bat off the bench, and he has been the best outfielder of the five competing for that fourth outfield spot so far here in spring.
He’s a switch hitter, so he gives the Cubs a right-handed and a left-handed bat off the bench, and he has been the best outfielder of the five competing for that fourth outfield spot so far here in spring.
But let me know what you guys think about Carlson so far.
But let me know what you guys think about Carlson so far.
Do you think he makes the team?
Do you think he makes the team?
How do you think he’s looked?
How do you think he’s looked?
Let me know down below.
Let me know down below.
And as always, guys, go Cubs go.
And as always, guys, go Cubs go.