2026 Iowa Cubs Position Previews: Catchers
Last week, I began this series with a glance at what the Iowa Cubs pitching staff might look like to begin 2026. As the official start of spring training looms on the horizon, we’ll look at the position players who could be headed for Des Moines beginning today. Where better
Last week, I began this series with a glance at what the Iowa Cubs pitching staff might look like to begin 2026. As the official start of spring training looms on the horizon, we’ll look at the position players who could be headed for Des Moines beginning today. Where better to start than the guys calling the game from behind the dish.
In Chicago, the catching depth looks exactly like it did last season at this time. Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly figure to be the primary options once gain. Kelly is coming off the most productive year of his career at the plate and Amaya, who was hoping to build off a promising 2024 campaign, will look to bounce back after playing in just 28 MLB games due to injury. I also fully anticipate Moises Ballesteros being a regular at designated hitter while also providing a capable third catching option in case of emergency.
As far as the Iowa Cubs go, catcher might be the biggest wild card position on the roster. Eight players saw action behind the plate for at least one game in Triple-A or Double-A for the Cubs last season. Of that group, only Casey Opitz is still with the organization and unlikely to begin the season with the big league squad. The 2025 I-Cubs received a ton of offensive production from their catchers but will likely be looking at an entirely new group this season. Reese McGuire signed with Milwaukee, Carlos Perez signed with the Astros and Ballesteros should start in Chicago, as mentioned above.
The way everything stands as of this afternoon, the only plausible options behind the plate in Iowa to start 2026 are veteran Christian Bethancourt and the Opitz, both of whom received an invite to MLB spring training. Ariel Armas was also a non-roster invite but has yet to play above High-A South Bend. I anticipate the Cubs signing at least one more catcher to a free agent deal in the next several days to help fill out the organizational depth at a key position.
Christian Bethancourt
The 34-year-old Bethancourt signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on New Year’s Eve, rejoining the organization he played for in the second half of 2024. He brings a wealth of experience to the table, having played in 427 games over the course of eight seasons in Major League Baseball. His 24-game stint in Chicago in 2024, highlighted by a seven-RBI game against the Pirates, represents the last big league action for the veteran who spent the 2025 campaign with Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo. Interestingly, Bethancourt had his most impactful series of the season against the I-Cubs, hitting a pair of three-run home runs and collecting seven RBI early last year at Principal Park. The native of Panama is slated to play for his home country in the upcoming World Baseball Classic and is currently the most likely candidate to catch the first pitch of the I-Cubs season on March 27.
Casey Opitz
The lone returning upper-level MiLB catcher in the Cubs farm system from 2025, Opitz has spent time traveling throughout the Cubs various affiliates since being drafted in 2021. In fact, he made his Triple-A debut with the I-Cubs that same year. Over the last four seasons, the native of Colorado has played three games with Iowa, 16 games for Myrtle Beach, 106 in South Bend and 129 in Knoxville. A career .201 hitter in his professional career, Opitz hit exactly that number in Double-A in 2025. He carries a reputation as a solid defender and great clubhouse presence. The 27-year-old figures to factor into the Iowa Cubs catching rotation in some fashion throughout 2026.
Other Positions
Bullpen