Fantasy Baseball Draft Outlook: Christopher Morel, Nick Madrigal, Michael Busch (2024)

MLB depth charts are helpful for a few reasons. First, they help identify “super-utility” players like Tommy Edman (2B, SS, OF – STL) or Spencer Steer (1B, 2B, 3B, OF – CIN), whose multi-positional eligibility elevates their value. Second, they highlight crowded positional situations on rosters, which can affect a player’s value depending on how they fall out. Below, we highlight some examples of this among NL teams. Some of these depth chart battles will be solved by opening day; others may not. Each situation is worth monitoring as you head towards your fantasy draft.

Chicago Cubs Depth Chart

Position Battles: CF, 1B, 3B, DH

The recent signing of Cody Bellinger helps the Cubs’ offense, but it puts more pressure on the players fighting for playing time. Bellinger will play every day, but where? If the club uses him as their primary centerfielder, it could push promising rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong back to Triple-A. PCA is considered a gold-glove caliber fielder, so if he forces his way onto the opening-day roster, it will likely push Bellinger to first base as the corner outfield spots are already secured by Ian Haap and Seiya Suzuki. This is where it’ll get interesting.

The competition for the corner infield and DH is already crowded with Christopher Morel, Nick Madrigal, Michael Busch, Patrick Wisdom and Garrett Cooper all vying for playing time. Morel will see plenty of at-bats all around the diamond and at DH, given his prodigious power, but there’s less certainty among the others. Madrigal is an excellent defender and solid hitter, but his lack of power doesn’t fit the mold of an everyday third-baseman. Busch is the opposite – a young player with a long track record of putting up excellent stats in the minor leagues but a defensive liability at seemingly every position. Wisdom hit 76 home runs over the past three seasons but may not make the team due to his 37% career K%. Cooper is a non-roster invite with a solid major-league resume.

Fantasy-wise, keep an eye on what happens to Busch, Crow-Armstrong and Wisdom in particular. Busch and PCA could open the season in Triple-A, and if so, they probably shouldn’t be drafted outside dynasty leagues. If Wisdom has a clear path to playing time, he’s worth a spot on the end of the bench due to his ability to clear the fences.

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MLB Tommy Edman Spencer Steer Cody Bellinger Pete Crow-Armstrong Seiya Suzuki Christopher Morel Nick Madrigal Michael Busch Patrick Wisdom Garrett Cooper