2026 Iowa Cubs Position Previews: Left Field
Based on the way that things have transpired in camp so far for the Cubs, the outfield group boarding the plane to Iowa in late March is very much up in the air. It’s also worth noting that in Triple-A labeling the outfielders by a specific position is almost impossible.
Based on the way that things have transpired in camp so far for the Cubs, the outfield group boarding the plane to Iowa in late March is very much up in the air. It’s also worth noting that in Triple-A labeling the outfielders by a specific position is almost impossible. In most cases, players will rotate among two or three spots throughout the season. However, for the sake of breaking these previews into smaller chunks rather than taking a broad glance at the outfield candidates, I’ll call this the left field preview and focus on two individuals.
At the MLB level, left field, like so many other positions previously discussed, is a pretty simple situation. When he is healthy, it’s going to be Ian Happ patrolling the grass in that part of the outfield almost every day. The 31-year-old is entering his 10th season in Chicago and has won four consecutive Gold Glove awards for his work in the outfield. His last two seasons (2024 and 2025) have featured almost identical numbers with a batting average in the .240s, a home run total in the low-to-mid 20s and somewhere in the ballpark of 80 RBI. His OPS and slugging percentage stayed relatively similar but did drop 20 points last season compared to the one prior. That being said, Craig Counsell and the Cubs know exactly what they can expect from the veteran as a regular member of the lineup.
Behind Happ, and the starting outfielders as a whole, is where one of the most interesting battles in camp is taking place. With the recent news of Tyler Austin missing significant time following a procedure on his knee, an unexpected spot on the opening day roster has likely opened. With Matt Shaw serving as a backup all over the diamond, who will pounce on the unexpected opportunity to join him as a bench bat and outfield depth piece? Some of the strong candidates include Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson, Chas McCormick and Kevin Alcantara.
How that picture shakes itself out will certainly affect the outfield situation in Des Moines come March 27. In 2025, the I-Cubs had 14 different players spend at least one game in left field. Of the five most used players in left, Greg Allen, Forrest Wall, Christian Franklin and Darius Hill will not be back. Kevin Alcantara is a possibility to return to Iowa, having played in 24 games in left field last season but he will be mentioned in our right field preview next week. The two players we take a closer look at today are Parker Chavers and Justin Dean.
Parker Chavers
Chavers was one of just a few position players that received a promotion from Double-A Knoxville to Iowa during the 2025 campaign. A seventh-round pick out of collegiate powerhouse Coastal Carolina in 2021, Chavers played in 30 games with the I-Cubs to close the season. He provided solid defense in the outfield but hit just .179 with 20 strikeouts in 85 at-bats. Since hitting 11 home runs in 76 games with Myrtle Beach in 2023, the 27-year-old has combined for just five long balls over the last two seasons. The encouraging thing is that each time he has repeated a level during his career, his offensive numbers have improved during the second stint. The defense and speed are always present, with an uptick in production at the plate, Chavers could become someone to watch this season.
Justin Dean
Dean was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on January 13 following his release by the Dodgers. Last year, he made his MLB debut with the eventual World Champions by appearing in 18 games, although he received just a pair of at-bats and is still looking for his first hit in the big leagues. Originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2018 out of Division II Lenoir-Rhyne, Dean spent the first six years of his career in the Braves farm system, playing in Triple-A in 2022, 2023 and 2024. He signed a free agent deal with the Dodgers in the winter prior to 2025 and spent 90 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City where he hit .289, stole 27 bases and posted an .809 OPS. He will certainly have a shot at earning a roster spot in Chicago, he is on the 40-man roster now, however his three options make it more likely that Carlson, Conforto or McCormick claim that spot while Dean makes his Cubs debut in Des Moines.
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