Cubs: 5 players who won't be on the roster by August 1

Cubs: 5 players who won’t be on the roster by August 1

Jun 7, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Chicago Cubs manager David Ross (3) and Chicago Cubs bench coach Andy Green (29) look on from the dugout during the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 20, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Mike Tauchman (40) in the on-deck circle against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Tauchman may find himself replaced by Pete Crow-Armstrong sooner rather than later

Mike Tauchman hasn’t been bad for the Cubs this year. In his 37 games in Chicago, the outfielder is slashing .250/.361/.333, showing a good ability to get on base, but not much of a power threat in 2023. The outfielder has found himself blocked by Cody Bellinger, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, preventing him from seeing any substantial playing time. But his biggest threat for a roster spot may not even reside in Chicago.

His biggest threat currently resides in Double-A with the Cubs affiliate, the Tennessee Smokies. Their top prospect, Pete Crow-Armstrong is a serious threat to take over in the Cubs outfield here soon. He has flown through the Cubs minor league system and should be receiving a promotion to Triple-A in the near future. He’s slashing .277/.358/.487 in Double-A while playing tremendous defense, projecting as a potential gold glover in the future.

With three MLB outfielders above him, Crow-Armstrong being the future of the Cubs outfield, and nowhere to see consistent playing time, Tauchman could be on his way out. The Cubs would receive prospect capital more valuable than Tauchman probably is because he’s under team control for multiple years. While they may not be contending this year, they need to capitalize on Tauchman’s value while they can.