3 Best Internal Options to Start at First Base for Cubs on Opening Day

3. Matt Mervis

Everyone has forgotten about Matt Meris when they talk about this Cubs team. Last year fans demanded that he get called up, and rightfully so since first base was one of the most glaring holes for this team. Not to mention he's proved he can crush baseballs at the minor league level.

Merivs slugged a .533 and had 22 home runs in his 100 games with the Iowa Cubs last season. Mervis has also proven he can hold his own at the first base position. He has a .991 fielding percentage over his career at the position and has the perfect build for the job at 6'5 225.

Mervis got his first taste of the majors last season and underperformed. In his 27 games with the Cubs, his batting average was a lousy .167 in 90 plate appearances. The underwhelming performance by Mervis in the bigs may have fans skeptical about having him at first base going forward, but the skill set is there, and I still think there’s an excellent chance he gets another shot to become the everyday first baseman in the future.

The Cubs are in a great position when it comes to filling the void at first, if you look at what they went into 2023 with at the position, two plug-in vets in Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini, to where they are now with three young exciting players, the future looks bright for them no matter what way they go.

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