2024 was supposed to open a lengthy competitive window for the Chicago Cubs. Although they are still within range of a playoff spot, this season has still been disappointing, to say the least. The biggest disappointment could be behind the plate with Miguel Amaya and the rest of the catching staff.
The Cubs’ starting pitching has been more than favorable. Shota Imanaga was an All-Star in his first season in Major League Baseball. Jameson Taillon and Justin Steele bounced back from early injury to become cornerstones in the rotation. Javier Assad continues to be one of the best-kept secrets in baseball.
But they all have worked with subpar efficiency behind the plate, offensively and defensively. Deep into June, both Miguel Amaya and veteran Yan Gomes were batting well under .200 and struggling to save runs as the backstop. In June, Gomes was DFA’d and released in favor of former Thomas Nido, who was picked up after being DFA’d by the New York Mets.
Amaya must have taken the move as a wake-up call. In the past month, he has completely transformed his outlook by making one significant adjustment. In his swing, he is doing less of a kick before swinging. Less movement before the point of contact is significantly favoring him.
In 17 games played in the past month, Amaya is batting a team-best .357 (among starters). His OPS is .907, second to just a resurging Ian Happ. Whatever instruction he took, it’s working.
We often talk about young players needing to make adjustments to keep up with the ever-changing game of baseball. Sure, Amaya seems to have done his part to keep his job for the remainder of 2024. But his turnaround could directly impact the future of the Cubs’ catching situation.
When the Cubs were still considered contenders earlier this season, a catcher was at the top of the list when considering potential midseason trades. As the season played out, the Cubs were no longer in a position to buy for 2024 at the trade deadline. Instead, Miguel Amaya gives them options for the future.
If Amaya continues on his current path, he could retain a roster spot on this team for the foreseeable future. The Cubs also have a catching prospect in Moises Ballesteros, who is quickly making his way through the farm system. In 22 games after being promoted to AAA, Ballesteros is batting .286 with four home runs and an OBP of .826. The Cubs see him as having a future behind the plate while providing sustainable power to the lineup.
The Cubs may be in a position of potentially having two young players capable of contributing daily, both catching and hitting, in Miguel Amaya and Moises Ballesteros. Still, we are only one month into Amaya’s journey of climbing out of a hole. There’s a long way to go to prove he can continue to grow his game. But this is undoubtedly a positive sign for a position the Cubs have struggled to develop since a young Willson Contreras.
