2026 Iowa Cubs Position Previews: Shortstop
We are one week closer to the start of the 2026 minor league season here in Des Moines. The first pitch for the Iowa Cubs is scheduled to be thrown at Principal Park in just 31 days. Today, we take a closer look at some of the candidates to play
We are one week closer to the start of the 2026 minor league season here in Des Moines. The first pitch for the Iowa Cubs is scheduled to be thrown at Principal Park in just 31 days. Today, we take a closer look at some of the candidates to play shortstop for the I-Cubs this season.
In Chicago, this another cut and dried situation. If Dansby Swanson is healthy, he is going to be in the lineup at shortstop for a bulk of the 162-game schedule. The 32-year-old is back for his fourth season with the Cubs and after 10 years of MLB experience, he still provides a tremendous defensive presence up the middle. Padres manager Mike Schildt described how Swanson essentially beat his team with his glove in the wild card round. On the rare days when the veteran needs a day off, Matt Shaw seems like the obvious replacement as he provides depth at various positions around the field in his new role.
The defense from the shortstop position was elite in 2025 for the Iowa Cubs as well. Unfortunately, most of the guys who started games there last season have moved on. Hayden Cantrelle, who was featured in the third base preview last week, is the only returning player to start a game at the position. Based on the situation right now, my guess is a couple of veteran MiLB signings from this winter will open the campaign as the main options in Des Moines. With that in mind, the focus today is on Scott Kingery and Owen Miller.
Scott Kingery
Kingery was one of the first players signed to a minor league deal by the Cubs this offseason, agreeing to terms all the way back in November. The now 31-year-old made headlines back in 2018 when he signed a six-year, $24 million contract with the Phillies before making his MLB debut. He put together a strong 2019 season when he blasted 15 home runs and compiled .788 OPS. However, that was the last time he played a full season in the big leagues. Over the last three seasons, Kingery spent most of his time in Triple-A Lehigh Valley and posted big numbers. He was traded to the Angels following the 2024 campaign and split the 2025 season between Anaheim and Triple-A Salt Lake. Kingery started at shortstop in the Cubs Cactus League opener last week and is a career .251 hitter in 482 games at Triple-A. I think he is the best bet to start the I-Cubs opener at short on March 27.
Owen Miller
Miller is another infielder that manager Marty Pevey would feel comfortable playing anywhere on the field. The 29-year-old who signed an MiLB contract earlier this month, has played every position aside from pitcher and catcher in his career but the bulk of that time has been at shortstop. Craig Counsell is very familiar with Miller from his time in Milwaukee, where Miller was a productive depth piece for the Brewers under Counsell’s guidance in 2023. That season represents the best of his five years in MLB so far. He spent most of the 2024 campaign in Triple-A Nashville before being traded to Colorado following the season. Despite the Rockies struggles in 2025, Miller only appeared nine times in Denver. Instead, he was a productive member of Albuquerque’s lineup on a daily basis, hitting .277 with 25 doubles and 11 long balls. If he starts his season in Triple-A, the I-Cubs will have a productive offensive player who will give them solid defense all over the diamond.
Other Positions: