Cubs Add Infield Prospects Chase Strumpf, Andy Weber to Spring Camp

The Cubs have added second baseman Chase Strumpf and shortstop Andy Weber to their spring camp, where they join outfielder Brennen Davis as recent non-roster invitees. There’s no chance for any of them to break camp with the big club at the end of March, so this is more about getting them a few more reps now that minor league camp opens a little later than in the past.

Chase Strumpf and Andy Weber added to camp from farm system as non-roster invitee.

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) February 26, 2021

Weber, a 2018 draft pick out of the University of Virginia, hit .275 with a .738 OPS for the Low-A South Bend Cubs in 2019. The cancellation of the 2020 campaign mucks up the development process a bit, but he could be back at South Bend — which is now High-A — or even in Tennessee this season.

Strumpf was the Cubs’ second-round pick out of UCLA in 2019 and has been impressive despite just 135 total plate appearances as a pro. The stout second baseman’s stats aren’t very telling because of the small sample, but he has shown a good bit of pop and could rise quickly if that continues. Like Weber, he ended 2019 at Low-A and figures to open a level or two above that when the new season opens.

As for Davis, don’t go getting your hopes up that he’s destined for Chicago any time soon. The organization is very high on him and it’s possible he’s still being undervalued by scouts because he’s only focused on baseball for the last two years, but he’s only had 276 professional plate appearances and still has work to do. Besides, the Cubs aren’t going to bring him up to be a backup.

Davis should probably open the season at Double-A Tennessee, though, and it’s not a long trip from there to Chicago. Plenty of prospects have made that leap before and it’s not inconceivable that Davis could earn a reward promotion similar to Kyle Schwarber in 2015. But again, the outfield is pretty well set at this point and Davis could use more work as he rounds into form.

No matter what happens in the regular season, fans should get looks at all three players during spring games on Marquee.