A Few Surprising Names Make Cubs Opening Day Roster

Good Morning Cubs fans, it's Opening Day we've made it! Before the Cubs take on the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field, they've released their list of players who made the Opening Day roster, and there were some surprising names on it. Here is the Opening Day roster.

Pitchers

Marcus Stroman Drew Smyly Codi Heuer (60-day IL) Wade Milley (10-day IL) Ethan Roberts Kyle Hendricks Alec Mills Justin Steele David Robertson Brad Wieck (60-day IL) Jesse Chavez Daniel Norris Rowan Wick Scott Effross Chris Martin Michael Rucker Mychal Givens Keegan Thompson Adbert Alzolay (60-day IL)

Infielders

Nick Madrigal Nico Hoerner David Bote (60-day IL) Patrick Wisdom Frank Schwindel Andrelton Simmons (10-day IL) Jonathan Villar Alfonso Rivas

Outfielders

Ian Happ Jason Heyward Seiya Suzuki Michael Hermosillo Rafael Ortega Clint Frazier

Catchers

Willson Contreras Yan Gomes

Surprising Names Who Made Cubs Opening Day Roster

With the rosters expanding to 28-man for the first month of the season, the Cubs went with 14 pitchers, and 14 hitters. There was a couple of surprises, and one of them was Alfonso Rivas. Rivas only appeared in 18 games last season with the Cubs, and had a slash line of .318/.388/.409/.797 (BABIP .481) his wRC+ was 119 with a wOBA of .353 With Frank Schwindel being on the roster and playing 1st base, Rivas will still get his fair share of opportunities. In 14 games this spring (30 at bats) Rivas slashed .333/.444/.533/.977 and most defiantly deserves a chance on the Cubs roster. Michael Hermosillo was another surprise name who made the Cubs Opening Day roster. The Cubs outfield is crowded, Jason Heyward, Rafael Ortega, Clint Frazier, Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, and now Hermosillo. Last season, Hermosillo slashed .194/.237/.500/.737 in only 38 plate appearances with the Cubs, so small sample size. In 12 games this spring, Hermosillo slashed .292/.419/.500/.919 and earned the chance to prove himself more during the regular season. Happy Opening Day Cubs fans!