Chicago Cubs Non-Tender Former No. 4 Overall Pick, Will Hit Free Agency
The Chicago Cubs had some decisions to make on Friday, including the future of infielder Nick Madrigal.
According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, his future won't be with the Cubs.
Madrigal has been non-tendered and will now hit free agency.
After being drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in 2018, his career hasn't gone as planned. While he looked to be the right pick then, time only confirmed that players of Madrigal's style aren't exactly success stories very often.
He lacked power coming out of college, and in Major League Baseball, he's been a below-average hitter, perhaps something Chicago should've foreseen at the time.
The game has changed a bit since then, and some players have found success without power in their bats, but they're much tougher to evaluate than guys with juice.
It didn't help the Cubs or Madrigal that he dealt with injuries.
He's played in just 285 games since he debuted in 2020, which is a concern for him as he hits the open market.
Being a recent high draft pick should help him find a new home, but it's tough to imagine too many teams will be knocking on his door.
In his five seasons with Chicago, he slashed .274/.323/.344 with a below-league average 86 OPS+. He only had four home runs, five triples, and 39 doubles in 868 at-bats.
The Cubs understood it was time to move on, which is a good sign.
It would've been easy for them to give him more chances, but it's clear things weren't working out in Chicago.
It's an unfortunate ending for a player they had high hopes for.
This article first appeared on Chicago Cubs on SI and was syndicated with permission.
Related articles
Edmonton Oilers' penalty killers holding up their side of the special teams ledger
Former Canuck Esa Tikkanen auctioning off Stanley Cup rings due to legal trouble
Twitter reacts to Commanders bringing back the gold pants
This Raiders Playmaker Is Being Very Overlooked For 2024The Latest
Penguins meet Utah HC in matchup of struggling teams
The slumping Pittsburgh Penguins will look to take the first step toward reversing their fortunes on Saturday night when they host the struggling Utah Hockey Club. Michael Bunting scored the lone goal Friday as the Penguins fell for the seventh time ...
-1732374160-q80.webp "Problem Solved! Saints Appear To Have Finally Found Answers At Both Tackle Positions")
Problem Solved! Saints Appear To Have Finally Found Answers At Both Tackle Positions
A major concern coming into this year, offensive tackle has transformed into a team strength for the Saints . For the last two seasons, the New Orleans Saints have had major issues along their offensive line. Since left tackle Terron Armstead ...
3 players who Bills need to step up after the bye week
The Buffalo Bills could benefit from these players making a discernible impact when the team returns from their Week 12 bye. It's not easy to circle players on the Buffalo Bills' roster who need to step up, as so many have ...
-1732371855-q80.webp "Rаngers Exрerіment Wіtһ Kаарo Kаkko At Center")
Rаngers Exрerіment Wіtһ Kаарo Kаkko At Center
Peter Laviolette put Kaapo Kakko at center for a short period of time during the Rangers' Thursday night game against the Flames. During the New York Rangers’ 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Thursday night, Peter Laviolette experimented with Kaapo ...
-1732371636-q80.webp "Yankees non-tender Jon Berti as Mets dump former top prospect before deadline")
Yankees non-tender Jon Berti as Mets dump former top prospect before deadline
Jon Berti, who started three postseason games at first base for the Yankees when Anthony Rizzo was out with fractured fingers, was non-tendered by the team prior to Friday’s deadline, as was left-hander Tim Mayza. Berti, acquired by the Yankees last ...
-1726993003-q80.webp "Mаtt Remрe's Inсreаsed Sрeed Notісeаble To Stаrt Trаіnіng Cаmр")
