The Cubs are bringing back a familiar face, claiming infielder Ben Cowles off waivers from the White Sox in a move that adds another layer of depth to a suddenly crowded infield picture. It’s a bit of a full-circle moment for Cowles, who was initially acquired by the Cubs last year in the deal that sent Mark Leiter Jr. to the Yankees. After a brief stint with the White Sox - who picked him up off waivers shortly after that trade - Cowles is once again headed north to Wrigley.
At 25 years old, Cowles is still waiting for his first big league at-bat, but he’s been grinding through the upper minors. In 2025, he split time between the Triple-A affiliates of both Chicago clubs, posting a combined .235/.300/.371 slash line with nine homers and 18 stolen bases. The strikeout rate - nearly 29% - is higher than you’d like to see, but there’s some versatility and pop in the bat that keeps him on teams’ radars.
Defensively, Cowles is no stranger to moving around the dirt. He’s considered a capable shortstop who can also handle second and third base, which gives him a shot to stick as a utility piece if he can find more consistency at the plate. That kind of flexibility is valuable, especially for a Cubs team that’s been reshaping its infield in recent weeks.
Just a few days ago, Chicago made waves by signing Alex Bregman, a move that shifts top prospect Matt Shaw into more of a utility role himself. Cowles, with two minor league option years still in his back pocket, gives the Cubs another chess piece to move around as they sort out their roster heading into spring training.
It’s worth noting that Cowles showed more promise in 2024 while playing at the Double-A level. In 92 games, he hit .286/.372/.457 with nine homers, 14 steals, and a much more manageable 17.7% strikeout rate. That version of Cowles - patient at the plate, productive on the bases, and steady with the glove - is the one the Cubs are hoping to see again.
For now, expect Cowles to open the season with Triple-A Iowa, where he’ll try to prove he belongs in the mix. The Cubs’ infield is getting tighter by the day, but in today’s game, you can never have too many versatile defenders who can hold their own with the bat. If Cowles can tap into that 2024 form, he might just force his way into the conversation.