2025 Chicago Cubs Season Projections: Outfield

Ian Happ is poised to have a solid year (Michael Mcloone - USA Today Sports)

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Sat Feb 15 08:32:39 GMT-05:00 2025

We have come to the final position group installment of our season projection series: the outfield. Of all the positions on this team, the outfield is set in stone and the deepest overall position.

While one of the outfielders is considered a DH at this point, he can still play outfield. The Cubs will have three players capable of hitting 25-30 homers in the outfield this season. The other starter is a budding young superstar who has the potential to lead the league in steals while also playing gold-glove defense.

Talk about a loaded position filled with potential. There is no question that the outfield will be the strength of the Cubs this season, and that is refreshing to hear that Cody Bellinger is no longer on this team. If there was one downfall with the current outfield group, it would be that this team doesn't currently have a fourth outfielder, although there are plenty of in-house options for that.

Here are the outfield projections for this season:

Ian Happ

No matter what side of the Ian Happ argument you're on, one thing no one will argue is that he has quietly become one of the best left-fielders in the game. Not bad for a player who came up as a second baseman before moving to center field and now left field. The three-time Gold Glove winner is arguably the best defensive left fielder in the game, but his production at the plate is often overlooked.

His numbers aren't going to jump off the page necessarily, but he is an on-base machine and has consistently been one of the more consistent hitters on the Cubs for the better part of three years. You saw that again last season as Happ overcame an extremely slow start before kicking it into gear in the second half of the season. Look for another big year this season, as he will be slotted as the leadoff hitter to begin the season.

Prediction: 156 games, .262 average, 23 homers, 75 RBIs, 15 steals.

One of the many things you get from Happ is durability, as he plays nearly every game each season. Anytime you can get that from a player, you must consider yourself fortunate, as injuries have played a massive role the past few seasons.

Even if Happ may not be your typical leadoff hitter, he is the best option the Cubs have, and given his on-base percentage, how can they not want him there? Sure, you would love for him to drive in more runs, but when you look at how he works the count and how many walks he takes, he needs to be this team's leadoff man for the foreseeable future.

Kyle Tucker

This team's most significant acquisition this offseason was acquiring Kyle Tucker from the Astros to play RF. Tucker has been one of the best hitters in the game the past three seasons and has put up equal to even better numbers than Juan Soto at times. He is the definition of a superstar and is a player this lineup hasn't had in years.

For all the good that Tucker brings, there are also some concerns, as some fans wonder how his numbers at Houston will translate to Wrigley. That is an ideal argument, but Tucker isn't just a power hitter, so don't expect the elements to play as big of a role as you would think. His presence in the lineup makes this lineup better, but he is now someone that pitchers need to take seriously.

Prediction: 151 games, .291 average, 33 homers, 109 RBIs.

As long as Tucker stays healthy, which the Cubs hope he can do, he will be the best hitter on the team this season. From batting average to homers and RBIs, Tucker is the power hitter this lineup has been missing, and the Cubs need him to deliver like one. Given the hitters around Tucker, his presence alone will make this lineup better, as there will be plenty of guys on base for him to drive in.

Pete Crow-Armstrong

No longer the top prospect given his MLB service time, Crow-Armstrong finally had a chance to show what he could do last season. Sure, there were plenty of struggles along the way, but given what he showed during the second half of the season, there is plenty of hope that he has figured it out on the plate.

Having him produce at the plate will be crucial to this team's success, as he has the potential to lead the majors in steals if he gets on base enough. Throw in defensive ability in center field, and PCA provides much more to this team than just producing at the plate.

Prediction: 150 games, .267 average, 12 homers, 50 RBIs, 45 steals.

There was a reason why PCA was a top-100 prospect and the top prospect in the Cubs system for several seasons. Even if those reasons haven't shown up yet, look for 2025 to be his breakout season as he is starting to adjust to the MLB game.

Given his skillset, especially his speed on the bases, PCA does have future leadoff hitter written all over him. However, he is more of a bottom-of-the-line hitter right now, as that is the position he has become comfortable with.

Seiya Suzuki

As mentioned above, Suzuki is listed as the DH to start the season, but given his ability to play RF, you have to consider him an outfielder. This is one of those players where no one knows how good he can indeed be, as he has put up solid numbers since coming over from Japan but hasn't lived up to the Hype when the Cubs signed him.

Injuries have played a role in that, but he hasn't delivered the power numbers we were hoping for even when healthy. That doesn't mean he isn't a disappointment, though, as Suzuki is one of the team's best, if not the best, pure hitter. Without the pressure of playing outfield on his shoulders this season, look for this to be his best overall offensive season.

Prediction: 145 games, .287 average, 30 homers, 94 RBIs.

As frustrating as he has been at times, there is no denying that Suzuki is a good hitter. When this offense was at its best, he was a big reason for that, as there were times when it looked like he could carry the entire lineup.

Even if he gets injured again, Suzuki will play a factor in the lineup this season. He will be a middle-of-the-line threat along with Tucker, and he should see far more fastballs hit this season. If that happens, look for huge numbers, as Suzuki is a fastball hitter who can crush a fastball with the best of them.

Along with these four names, Alexander Canario, Kevin Alcantara, and Owen Caissie are all gunning for MLB time this season. All of them are top-6 prospects in the system and have proven to be too good for minor league pitching. However, Canario is the one that makes the most sense as the fourth outfield option, as he is the one who wouldn't require regular at-bats.