Most of the players on the Chicago Cubs’ 40-man roster are household names.
Ben Cowles? Not so much. But his spot on that roster means he’s got a real shot at major league time this season.
The path here’s been anything but straight. The Yankees drafted him out of the University of Maryland after a standout high school career in Newark, N.Y. The Cubs eventually traded for the utility man, then released him. The White Sox picked him up off waivers.
But when Chicago waived Cowles this offseason, the Cubs claimed him right back. They clearly wanted another look.
Now he’s back in Cubs colors, and it shows:
Back where he belongs, Cubs Ben Cowles takes infield and runs the bases. It was windy this AM, but the cap flying off wasn’t because the wind howls for Cowles; it had already ceased by the early afternoon. It was sheer acceleration. pic.twitter.com/UpncWLiUCB
— John Antonoff (@baseballinfocus) January 27, 2026
The numbers tell a story of steady development. In 2024, Cowles hit .286 with an .829 OPS in Double-A. Those are the kind of numbers that get you noticed.
2025 was tougher in Triple-A, splitting time between Iowa and Charlotte. The average dropped, but he still managed nine homers and 18 steals. That’s the versatility teams love.
He’s also shown he can hit in the Arizona Fall League, which tends to be a good indicator for future success.
Utility Value
What makes Cowles intriguing is his defensive flexibility. He can play all over the field, which is exactly what the Cubs need in a utility role. In today’s game, that kind of versatility is gold.
The fact that they claimed him back after releasing him tells you something. The Cubs saw enough the first time around to want a second chance.
For Cowles, it’s got to feel good being back with familiar faces and coaches who know his game. Now it’s up to him to show that second look was worth it.
