Dream Cubs starting lineup for Opening Day in the 2023 season

What would a dream Chicago Cubs starting lineup look like next season?

By Tim Boyle | Nov 6, 2022

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 08: Seiya Suzuki #27 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Ian Happ #8 after hitting a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field on September 08, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

7 of 9

Oct 26, 2022; Surprise, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Matt Mervis plays for the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League baseball game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Cubs starting lineup: Matt Mervis batting seventh, DH

The future starting first baseman for the Cubs, maybe, is Matt Mervis. He actually kind of looks like Anthony Rizzo in some photos so the Cubs are in good luck. An undrafted free agent signing by the Cubs in 2020, the 24-year-old had a monster minor league season in 2022 and would be a dream DH to take off and thrive in Chicago.

Mervis made his way from High-A to Triple-A last year and never stopped hitting. He ended up with a .309/.379/.606 slash line combined at the three levels. Maybe more notable, he hammered 36 home runs, drove in 119, and added 40 doubles.

A concern with a lot of young sluggers are the strikeouts. Mervis fanned just 107 times in 578 plate appearances and 137 games. There’s not much to worry about with him. He even performed well in the Arizona Fall League which further propels him toward a roster spot for the Cubs both in reality and our dream.

We can’t have everything we desire even in our dreams which is why Mervis becomes the starting DH. Can he turn into the ultimate scrap heap pickup for the Cubs? Already a wonderful story because he was passed over in the draft, the power he might be able to deliver from the left side is too hard to ignore.

Home/Chicago Cubs