South Bend Cubs Gameday Program - April 2026

Happy Opening Day—And Welcome home!

Today is more than the start of a new baseball season. It is a celebration of renewal, of community, and of a shared dream brought to life. As we gather once again to cheer on the South Bend Cubs, we do so in a ballpark that reflects the pride, passion, and spirit of this incredible city.

The newly renovated Four Winds Field stands as a testament to what this community can accomplish together. While its history remains woven into every corner, today it shines brighter than ever—reimagined, refreshed, and ready to welcome a new generation of fans. From the first step through the gates to the final out of the night, this ballpark is more than a venue; it is a symbol of South Bend’s enduring love for the game. A special thank you to the men and women who worked tirelessly through rain, wind and snow, bringing our vision to life!

Opening Day always carries a sense of hope. Every team starts with a clean slate. Every fan believes this could be the year. But today feels even more special. Today, we are not only turning the page on a new season—we are opening the doors to a new chapter in the life of this historic ballpark.

Think about what this place represents. It’s where children fall in love with baseball for the very first time. It’s where families return year after year, building traditions that stretch across generations. It’s where friendships are strengthened over nine innings and where unforgettable moments—walk-off hits, diving catches, and championship dreams—come to life under the lights.

As the South Bend Cubs take the field today, they do so backed by a community that shows up, cheers loudly, and believes deeply. Your energy fuels this team. Your passion defines this ballpark.

So today, take a moment to look around. Notice the details, the upgrades, the care that has gone into every inch of this beautiful stadium. But also notice what hasn’t changed—the smiles, the excitement, the connection, and the unmistakable magic of baseball in South Bend.

This is your ballpark. This is your team. This is your Opening Day!

Here’s to new beginnings and lasting memories!

With pride and gratitude,

Andrew T. Berlin Chairman and Owner, South Bend Cubs

GETTING IT DONE

An inside look at the journey of reimagining Four Winds Field.

By: Tyler Reidy

Years in the making, the new and improved Four Winds Field has arrived. With a $48 million upgrade, the 39-year home of the Cubs now looks better than ever, featuring a four-story event space, a second tier of seating, and much more.

Just as interesting as the finished product, though, is the process behind it. If you’ve been around the ballpark at all since the 2024 season concluded, you’ve surely seen that process in action. Through two winters, one baseball season, and countless hours of planning and on-site work, the project has taken a real team effort from numerous individuals both within and beyond the South Bend Cubs organization.

The bulk of the journey began in 2023, when the City of South Bend released its request for proposals (RFP) on the expansion. The La Porte-based Larson-Danielson Construction pursued the opportunity, garnering the role of Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc), through which it initially helped the city and the Cubs appropriately size the project to the budget before shouldering the construction workload.

Larson-Danielson has developed a strong relationship with the city, completing major tasks around town such as the Howard Park redevelopment, the Raclin Murphy Encore Center

A full look at the renovated Pepsi Stadium Club and home plate area of Four Winds Field taken on February 21, 2026. (Credit: South Bend Cubs)

Addition, and the City Hall renovation. Patrick Sherman, the Director of Project Management for the City of South Bend Public Works Department, can speak to that level of trust.

“Larson-Danielson's always been a very good partner with the city on projects,” he said. “They are no stranger to city projects, whether it be through our design-bid-build process or the CMc process… They are very good at ensuring that the city and the Cubs are able to meet the goals that they want to meet, and they have always been very good to work with as far as solving any kind of unforeseen issues or working through any difficulties or scope items that we have to.”

Around the same time, Sherman and company also enlisted the services of design architect Populous and executive architect JPR to outline and deliver the remodeled stadium’s vision. Populous very recently worked on Covenant Health Ballpark, the new home of Double-A Cubs affiliate Knoxville, while JPR has assisted with other Midwest League ballparks in Beloit, Fort Wayne, and Lansing.

Meanwhile, after securing respon-

CARE THAT CONNECTS

JOBS REWARDS SUPPORT

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sibility to execute the project, LarsonDanielson president Brian Larson got to work with his team.

“From the beginning, our role was to help out with preconstruction and look at the schedule before the final design came out,” Larson recalled. “And I think that really helped us as well as the entire construction team meet a really demanding schedule and a demanding budget.”

Larson, a fifth-generation leader of the Larson-Danielson family business, cares deeply with his fellow officers about taking a hands-on approach to each project. For this one, that meant assisting the full-time project manager and maintaining a wide snapshot of the project’s budget and schedule status.

Larson-Danielson has on the

construction site itself two superintendents, including Dan Cavin, who immediately recognized the unique urgency of the task as work began after the 2024 season.

“With some of the other jobs, if the schedule got pushed out and it’s not what we want, there's some flexibility there,” Cavin said. “But with a baseball season, you're not moving that first game. And so we’ve got to make sure at all costs, we're hitting those deadlines for a situation like this.”

Although this was Cavin’s first project in South Bend, he’s done all sorts of work in Larson-Danielson’s backyard of La Porte. That means he knows all about Northern Indiana’s punishing winters, two of which the Four Winds Field renovation timeline has spanned. The most

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recent one brought a new wrinkle, as the foot of snow South Bend received in mid-January seemingly didn’t move for a month due to frigid conditions.

“This winter has been exceptionally hard with the extreme temperatures that we've had,” Cavin said. “...We get as much done outside as we can when the temperatures allow. And obviously we have to shut that work down when the temperatures do come in and then focus more on the interior-type things or move the schedule around a little bit to accommodate.”

Mother Nature isn’t the only obstacle for a project such as this. There’s also the nature of the renovation itself, especially when it comes to the teardown of the old roof above the concourse and the addition of the second seating tier.

“There's new steel columns that sit on the existing steel columns. We lopped them off at the roof and then built on from that, which is a lot different than a from-the-ground-up steel structure where you're starting from scratch,” Larson described. “...Marrying new steel columns to existing steel columns is kind of harder than it looks.”

To account for the structural differences, Sherman mentioned that upgrades occurred among the stadium’s electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems to ensure proper long-term functionality.

Of course, anyone who visited Four Winds Field last season knows that construction did not take a break between Brian Kalmer’s game-winning triple on Opening Night and Kenten Egbert’s 8.2-inning gem on the final Sunday. Even on days when the ballpark welcomed capacity crowds, progress continued, with all parties mindful of preserving the fan experience.

While the Cubs pitched the ongoing work as a unique opportunity for fans to come out and see their home park develop, Larson and company made sure that ongoing construction wouldn’t be too up close and personal. Even as the second level sat bare and unfinished, those who walked the main concourse behind home plate saw nothing but painted structures, new TVs, and high-standard lighting. For most, if not all, the construction never felt like a bother, a credit to the hosts’ reception of it.

The sun sets behind Four Winds Field during the final homestand of the year as the Cubs faced the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on September 5, 2025. (Credit: Mandy Coppinger)

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“I'd love to thank the Cubs, because this has never been a nuisance to them,” Larson said. “They've always looked at the final product, and they've really worked with us to accommodate the mess and the dust and the inevitable leaks that happen when you take the roof off of a structure.”

Sherman also spoke highly of the Cubs and their position within the project’s evolution. Under the leadership of owner Andrew Berlin, a strong advocate from day one for Four Winds Field as a real difference-maker in South Bend.

development as the heart of South Bend remains on the upswing. Cubs baseball has already played a key role across the past decade, with the affiliate change in 2015 driving up regional fan interest and the opening of the Ivy at Berlin Place in 2019 changing the landscape surrounding the ballpark.

“I’ve gotta give the Cubs a lot of credit, because they've been really engaged in the project,” Sherman said. “They've been a very good partner with the city.”

“It's a really good public-private partnership; it's hard to see that kind of positive public-private partnership all the time.”

The new stadium renovation is just the latest example of an encouraging

“The downtown area is having revitalization. There's a lot of things that go into that, but [Four Winds Field] is no small piece of that,” Sherman pointed out. “There's a lot more housing units and businesses opening up around the downtown area, especially on the south side, which, for a long time, was kind of a difficult area.”

A great team effort goes a long way in baseball. It’s what brought the Cubs their two Midwest League championships, and for a project like this one, it extends well beyond the two foul lines. With a dynamic combination of city, constructors, and Cubs leadership, the new Four Winds Field has come to life.

SOUTH BEND CUBS SEASON SEAT HOLDER OF THE MONTH

Patrick Hudson & Family

Tell us about your family. We live in Portage Indiana. I am an insurance agent in Chesterton, Indiana, and my wife Patty is a retired teacher’s aide. We both enjoy baseball at Four Winds Field and are looking forward to another season with our children and grandchildren. What is your favorite thing about Four Winds Field? We both love the great people working there from Laurie the beer vendor, to Lauren at the home plate bar. Also, over the years I personally enjoyed working with numerous customer representatives I have had. Everyone has been great! Drew is exceptional and very cooperative. The ballpark is always a fun time for all of us . Do you think you could strike out Stu? Well, back several years ago I would say definitely because I was a pitcher in high school and college. How long have you been a season seat holder and what brings you back to Four Winds Field each year? ? We came there back when I found out this was going to be the Chicago Cubs minor league team so about 9 or 10 years. I used to be a season seat holder at Wrigley Field, and we enjoy watching the young guys more. As I said before it’s the great people that are here that bring up back each year. You build a lot of relationship with the people and look forward to seeing them in the Spring.

SOUTH BEND

CUBS GROUP OUTING OF THE MONTH

Industrial Metal Fab - Kyle Beaudway

What does your company do? Industrial Metal Fab (IMF) is a full-service steel fabricator and machine shop based right here in South Bend. We supply customers across the construction, mining, agriculture, forestry, and material handling/waste industries. Simply put— we specialize in producing large, heavy steel components and take pride in delivering high-quality work for customers across the world.

How long have you been in business in the area? October will mark our 62nd year in business right here in South Bend. IMF is now in its third generation of family leadership and we’re proud to still be manufacturing locally after all these years.

How does your company use their tickets? Our tickets are available for employees and customers to use throughout the season. It’s a great way to enjoy a game and spend casual time together outside of work.

Who would win in a hot dog eating contest? Stu, Ivy or Mark McGill? My money is on Mark McGill. Anyone who hosts that much baseball knows his way around the concession stand. How has your organization benefited from working with the South Bend Cubs? IMF’s culture has benefited from working with the South Bend Cubs. It’s great to gather with employees or customers outside the office in a relaxed, family-friendly environment and support another strong local organization.

Four Winds South Bend has just what you’re looking for and more. Try your hand on 1,900 slots, 12 live poker tables, and 27 table games. You can also place your bets on your favorite sporting events at our Sportsbook. Enjoy entertainment on weekends or take in a show at Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center featuring headliner entertainment. Then, tempt your tastebuds at the best restaurants in Indiana including Copper Rock Steakhouse, Kankakee Grille, and Edgewater Café.

Looking for a relaxing retreat? Make plans at the Four Winds Hotel and recharge at Cedar Spa. We have everything you need for a perfect getaway.

Need a place to hold your event? Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center has the perfect space for any occasion, large or small. Contact our sales team at southbendsales@fourwindscasino.com for more information.

The 2026 season will feature six new VIP spaces to host your family, friends, and co-workers. These premium spaces will feature upgraded amenities and some of the best views of the ballpark. Most include access to private restrooms and exclusive menu options. Minimum tickets required. Talk to a South Bend Cubs Account Executive for more details.

PICNIC AND GROUP AREAS

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Scan the QR code to learn more and to reserve your premium space!

2026 SOUTH BEND CUBS COACHING STAFF

Daniel Wasinger - Manager

Daniel Wasinger enters his first season as manager of the South Bend Cubs, after serving as South Bend’s bench coach in 2025. With South Bend last season, Wasinger also served as the first base coach. He began his coaching career in 2024, joining the Cubs organization as a Development Coach with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. He played two seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks system in 2018 and 2019. After his time with Arizona, Wasinger continued playing professionally in Independent Baseball and the Mexican Leagues. He was selected by Arizona in the 31st round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Southeastern Louisiana University.

Nate Spears - Hitting Coach

Nate Spears returns for his third season with the South Bend Cubs as the hitting coach. Spears began his playing career with the Baltimore Orioles, after being selected in the fifth-round of the 2003 MLB Draft. The Fort Myers, Florida native was traded by the Orioles to the Chicago Cubs in the Corey Patterson deal in 2006. Spears played for former South Bend manager Buddy Bailey in 2008 with Double-A Tennessee, and made it to Triple-A Iowa. His career then took him to the Boston Red Sox, where he made his MLB debut. Spears played for Boston in 2011 and 2012.

JC Bonilla - Pitching Coach

Jeancarlos Bonilla joins South Bend after serving as the assistant pitching coach with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2025. Bonilla began working for the Cubs as the assistant pitching coach for their Dominican Summer League team in 2023. He held the same role in the 2024 season. A Bronx, NY native, Bonilla played college baseball at both Lackawanna College and Grambling State University. Bonilla graduated from Grambling State with both a Bachelor’s of General Studies with a minor in History in 2020 and a Master’s degree in Sports Administration in 2022.

Henry Haack - Pitching Coach

Henry Haack played college baseball at Denison University from 2019-2022, where he was a data analytics major. The Evanston, Illinois native put up a 3.34 ERA in 51 total collegiate appearances. Last year, Haack spent the season in the Dominican Republic with the DSL Cubs Academy.

PITCHERS

INFIELDERS

CATCHERS

CELEBRATING A DECADE OF GLORY: THE 2016 CHICAGO CUBS

Multiple members of Cubs World Series team made stops in South Bend via rehab assignments.

By Brendan King

2026 marks the 11th season of the affiliation partnership between the Chicago Cubs and the South Bend Cubs. Since that point, as of the start of the 2026 season, 43 different former South Bend Cubs went on to make their Major League debut with Chicago. Although the pipeline has much more often involved players going in the direction from South Bend to Chicago, there have been numerous instances where Chicago has trusted South Bend to house Big League players on rehab assignments. Over the course of the last decade, fans at Four Winds Field have seen more than a handful of MLB rehabbers play between the lines in Downtown South Bend; but some of the most memorable have a hint of 2016 to them.

In total, 15 different Chicago Cubs players have ventured to South Bend to play on rehab assignments. Four different 2016 World Series Champions are among that group. Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward, Mike Montgomery, and Ben Zobrist all at one point donned the South Bend blue pinstripes.

This past January at Cubs Convention,

Cubs fans celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 Chicago Cubs. Nearly all of the championship roster attended for what was a weekend-long team reunion. Former Cubs manager Joe Maddon told inside stories of what was happening in the dugout during the playoff run, Anthony Rizzo talked about what it meant to the team knowing that they made Chicago sports history, and Justin Grimm put together the best Miguel Montero impression of all time, including what Montero was saying after he hammered the game-winning grand slam versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Cover your ears kids).

(Credit: Dr. Tim Reilly)

At the team reunion, Fowler, Heyward, Montgomery, and Zobrist were all in attendance. We had the opportunity to talk to a couple of them about what their time rehabbing in South Bend, while short, meant to them. Fowler was the first of the total 15, back in July of 2016. It was a totally new experience for the Four Winds Field faithful, watching a current Chicago Cub start for the first time in Downtown South Bend. Plus, it was just a year-anda-half after the new affiliation agreement signed to begin in 2015.

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Still relatively new to the Cubs organization, Fowler inked his deal with Chicago in 2015 after six seasons with the Colorado Rockies and one with the Houston Astros. Playing with South Bend against Bowling Green on July 8, 2016, Fowler walked twice in four total plate appearances. Some four months later, he would crush the first-ever World Series Game 7 leadoff home run, against Corey Kluber in Cleveland.

Following all of the World Series celebration champagne popping, the parade, and the famous ‘Saturday Night Live’ appearance, the calendar flipped to 2017 which also brought along South Bend’s second Chicago Cubs rehab assignment. The guest of honor this time? The guy who gave the iconic rain delay clubhouse speech, Jason Heyward.

games of that season, but it also came in two stints. Heyward played three rehab games with South Bend, all coming against the Lansing Lugnuts. He would post base hits in all three games. The first game on May 18, 2017, Heyward picked up an RBI single. The power lefty returned to Chicago for the rest of May and most of June but found himself on the Injured List again to end June, bringing him back to South Bend to play on July 2 and 3, sporting the special patriotic Independence Day uniforms. Once again playing Lansing, Heyward slashed three combined hits in the two games, along with an RBI and a walk.

Heyward’s time with the South Bend Cubs in 2017 was unique, not just because part of his stay was during some of the largest attended home

The next time South Bend would house a 2016 World Series Champion would be two years later in 2019. Although there were no champs in town during 2018, the Cubs did have the services of right-hander Yu Darvish, who pitched in two rehab games that season.

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But back to 2019. That was a special year. Not just because the South Bend Cubs hosted the final Midwest League All-Star Game, not just because they also won their first Midwest League Championship as a Chicago Cubs affiliate, and not just because of consistent record-breaking crowds. It was about the people.

The Cubs were led that season by the late Buddy Bailey, who passed away in September of 2025. Bailey skipped the Cubs to the championship clincher and also set a winning standard in the clubhouse that featured discipline, being a good teammate, and giving back to the community. The individuals who passed through that clubhouse that season are some of the best to ever play at Four Winds Field. And the young South Bend Cubs players got to learn from two World Series Champions.

The first, Mike Montgomery. The only living person who can say they threw the final pitch to clinch a Chicago Cubs World Series Championship. Montgomery was traded to the Cubs in July of 2016 from Seattle, not knowing the history that he would soon deliver from his left hand. He spent four seasons with Chicago, and shortly before he was traded to the Kansas City Royals in July of 2019, he came to South Bend for a rehab start on April 17.

Firing two innings of scoreless, one-hit baseball with four strikeouts, the southpaw left a strong impression that day. He also left the South Bend Cubs with a classy gesture, purchasing the post-game meal spread for the team: steaks and sides from Ruth’s Chris Steak House. We had a chance to talk to Montgomery at Cubs Convention about his South Bend experience.

“I remember all of that vividly

because my son was born two days prior,” Montgomery said. “It was a tough one. I was injured and obviously wanted to come back and help the team. I still see some of those guys at Spring Training saying, ‘I played with you in South Bend, and that was the best postgame spread I ever had.’ What I wanted to do most was show those guys that guys like me were once in that spot too. It was my only rehab stint I ever had as a Major Leaguer, and I wanted to do it right.”

Before he left that day, Montgomery autographed a framed mural in the lower level of Four Winds Field. The shot of him being jumped upon by his celebrating teammates following the last pitch of Game 7.

Lastly, the Ben Zobrist experience. Well into the summer of 2019, South Bend was in the early stages of its championship path. Since May of that season, Zobrist had been on MLB’s restricted list. He made his comeback on what was a tour of the Cubs Minor League affiliates, beginning with South Bend on August 2. The 2016 World Series MVP started what was one of the most memorable stretches at Four Winds Field for fans, becoming an integral part of the South Bend Cubs clubhouse.

Zobrist played three games, but it very well felt like 10. He finished with two hits, a walk, and an RBI. Capacity crowds, massive ovations. It was truly a celebrity atmosphere. But instead of acting like a celebrity, he acted like a pillar of the South Bend community.

Signing autographs before games, taking pictures, smiling, and even on the Sunday of the Cubs series against Great Lakes, venturing up to the concourse to sign pre-game autographs with the entire team.

We also spoke with Zobrist at Cubs Con, and to highlight what a genuinely positive experience that was for him, when we said we were with the South Bend Cubs, he immediately said, “I love South Bend.” He went on to detail why it was so important to ingrain himself with the South Bend fan base.

“In one regard giving back to the South Bend community is good for the Cubs fans there in South Bend that maybe don’t have a chance to come to Wrigley and that’s

their local Cub team,” Zobrist explained. “But you want to set an example as an older player to the young guys who may not fully appreciate that position they’re in at the time. You don’t want to act like you’re big-leaguing anyone when you come back. So my approach that week was, ‘if this is what you all do, I’ll do it. I’m into it.’ We had a good time. I still remember being up on the concourse signing autographs that day. You feel so beloved as a player when you’re in that position.”

Four rehab assignments. Four World Series Champions. Four stories for all South Bend fans to be able to say, “I saw this guy play at Four Winds Field and it was so special.”

It may be a decade since Montgomery threw that final pitch in Cleveland. But the memories will live on infinitely. And when one storyteller moves on, another is there to pick up the pieces, continuing to bring to life how magical November of 2016 felt for anyone who loves the Chicago Cubs.

CUBS KEEP CLIMBING

South Bend well-represented on prospect lists, WBC rosters

By Tyler Reidy

As if you need any more reasons to get excited about South Bend Cubs baseball in 2026, the game’s future stars are right in front of you at Four Winds Field. And the months leading up to this season have provided plenty of evidence to support that claim.

Three former South Bend Cubs landed on MLB’s Top 100 Prospects list, with many more holding down spots among the Chicago Cubs’ organizational top 30. Additionally, a dozen South Bend alumni competed at last month’s thrilling World Baseball Classic, representing nine different nations and territories.

Here’s an in-depth look at how the Cubs are making waves at the game’s highest levels.

Top Prospects

Owen Caissie, a 2022 Midwest League champion in South Bend, has started his spring as both a top-50 Major League prospect and a WBC participant for Canada. He’s also in his first season with a new organization, as Chicago traded him with Cristian Hernandez, South Bend’s everyday shortstop last year, to Miami as part of the Edward Cabrera deal. With his sights set on becoming a Marlin mainstay, Caissie looks to build on what was a fabulous 2025 with Triple-A Iowa. In 99 games, the No. 42

Owen Caissie, a World Baseball Classic competitor and top-100 MLB prospect, swings the bat for South Bend during a Divisional Playoff game in 2022. (Credit: South Bend Tribune)

MLB prospect slashed .286/.386/.551 with 22 home runs and a .937 OPS, earning 12 games with the big club.

Two-time Cubs Minor League Player of the Year Moisés Ballesteros occupies the No. 55 ranking, making him and Caissie top-100 prospects for the second consecutive season. The catcher breezed through South Bend in 2023, hitting .300 with 15 doubles and 31 RBI in 56 games before earning the promotion to Double-A. After dominating the International League with a .316 batting average at Iowa throughout last season, Ballesteros became a regular in Chicago down the stretch. Across his first 20 games in The Show, he impressively slashed .298/.394/.474, belting two home runs and receiving three postseason at-bats.

Jaxon Wiggins, a far more recent South Bend Cub, also returns to the Top 100 at No. 58. Best known for his overpowering fastball and avoidance of the Gatorade bath, Wiggins grabbed all sorts of attention with his first half of 2025, which began right here in the Midwest League. The right-hander leveled up from where he finished 2024 in South Bend, posting a 1.71 ERA across 26.1 innings to

... continued from previous page. quickly reach Knoxville last spring. He was arguably even better there before ending the year with shoulder issues at Iowa. Now healthy again, the secondrounder is a top candidate to make his Major League debut in 2026, especially if he continues to elevate year-to-year the way he has so far.

Another name worth mentioning is Jonathon Long, who missed the top 100 but checks in as the No. 6 first-base prospect. A former ninth-round pick, Long used a marvelous 2025 season at Iowa to earn Chicago’s Buck O’Neil Minor League Player of the Year award. Only missing seven games for the I-Cubs last year, he hit .305 with 20 long balls and 91 RBI. He actually put up the worst numbers of his professional career when he came through South Bend in 2024 — at least to the extent that you can call 10 home runs and 41 RBI in 68 games a disappointment.

In addition to Wiggins, a handful of last year’s South Bend Cubs have a place among Chicago’s top 30 prospects. Middle infielder Jefferson Rojas sits not far behind Wiggins at No. 5 in the system after breaking into Double-A halfway last season. Pitcher Brandon Birdsell and utility man James Triantos, who stopped by on rehab assignments last year, also reside in the top 20. Right there with

them at No. 20 is catcher Ariel Armas, who broke South Bend’s single-season record for runners caught stealing a year ago. Three more 2025 Cubs round out the top 30, with pitchers Erian Rodriguez (No. 23) and Luis Martinez-Gomez (No. 24) ahead of outfielder Kade Snell (No. 27), a 2025 draft pick.

World Baseball Classic

Last month’s World Baseball Classic, which concluded on March 17, featured 12 players who have worn the South Bend uniform. The former Cubs represented nine different nations and territories across four continents, fueling one of baseball’s most passionate and entertaining events.

Three countries rostered multiple South Bend alums, including the aforementioned Canada with Caissie and 2018 Cub first baseman Jared Young. For Caissie, this year’s competition marked his second go-around at the WBC. The same can be said for Young, an elite player for South Bend during the first three months of 2018. Across 69 games with the Cubs, a Class A affiliate at the time, he hit .313 with 10 home runs and 53 RBI. Young would go on to debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2022 before shifting to the Cardinals’ system in 2024 and playing a career-high 23 Major League games with the New York Mets a year ago. A couple of very familiar names suited

(Credit: Dr. Tim Reilly)

... continued from previous page. up for Panama – catcher Miguel Amaya and pitcher Erian Rodriguez. Amaya, whose bobblehead went public at Four Winds Field last August, was a reliable South Bend Cub for all of 2018. He has since played 198 games in Chicago over the last three seasons, putting up strong numbers in 2025 when healthy. Rodriguez, meanwhile, started 23 games for South Bend between 2024 and 2025, delivering incredibly consistent results.

Erian Rodriguez, a key part of South Bend’s rotation last season, fires a pitch in a 2025 game against Wisconsin. (Credit: Kal Graybill)

Before earning the promotion to Knoxville last year, he helped lead an elite Cubs pitching staff during the summer months with an outstanding 2.81 ERA in 64 innings.

Two proven Major League players –Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia and Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres – wore Venezuelan colors at the WBC. Palencia, whose bobblehead will be available at Four Winds Field on May 31, saved 22 games for Chicago last season. He also played a key role in advancing the Cubs

past San Diego in the Wild Card, earning both of the team’s winning decisions during the best-ofthree series.

A Midwest League champion in 2022, Palencia started 20 games for South Bend that year, providing a signature performance in the decisive third game of the Division Series against Cedar Rapids with eight strikeouts in five scoreless innings.

Daniel Palencia, who pitched the final strikeout of the World Baseball Classic, pitches for the South Bend Cubs in 2022. (Credit: Dr. Tim Reilly)

Now a two-time WBC participant, Torres played for South Bend all the way back in 2015, the franchise’s first year of affiliation with the Chicago Cubs. He’s gone on to play more than 1,000 big-league games for the New York Yankees and the Tigers, where he became an All-Star for the third time in his career last season.

Staying in South America, Colombia carried on its WBC roster Yapson Gomez, a South Bend reliever in 2017 and 2018. After the 2019 season, the left-hander transitioned away from affiliated base-

ball and has since put together a fiveyear career in the Mexican League, also taking part in the Venezuelan Winter League each season. One of his running mates on the 2018 pitching staff, Javier Assad, pitched for Mexico and covered more than 100 innings for South Bend. He’s been in Chicago for each of the last four seasons, posting a sub-4 ERA in all of them.

Infielder Luis Vazquez, a South Bend Cub in 2019 and 2021, featured for Puerto Rico this year. After making his Major League debut with the Chicago Cubs two years ago, he carved out a 36-game role with the Baltimore Orioles last season.

A Bahamas native, corner infielder BJ Murray joined Great Britain for this year’s WBC, making him another two-time participant. Also a 2022 Midwest League champion, Murray played a key role for South Bend down the stretch of that season, going 9 for 19 in the postseason. He spent all of last year with Double-A Knoxville, where he led the Smokies in home runs (20), RBI (89), and OPS (.781). One of the highlights of the 2022 regular season was just how easily infielder Matt Mervis transitioned through High-A baseball. A repeat WBC contributor with Israel this year, Mervis lit up Midwest League pitching to the tune of seven home runs and 29 RBI at a .350/.389/.650 slash line in only 27 games. After playing 36 games for the Chicago Cubs between 2023 and 2024, he saw a larger amount of Major League action

with the Marlins last year following the Vidal Brujan trade.

And of course, how could you ever talk about the 2022 South Bend Cubs season without bringing up PCA? Now the most electrifying center fielder in the National League, Pete Crow-Armstrong donned the Stars and Stripes for Team USA at this year’s WBC. Throughout the first half of last season, he became one of MLB’s breakout stars with his combination of power and ridiculous defensive range, finishing the year with 31 home runs and 95 RBI. In his four-month stint with South Bend four years ago, he earned an MiLB Gold Glove and belted the game-winning home run in Game 2 of the Midwest League Championship Series at Lake County.

Two more former Cubs, Jonathon Long (Chinese Taipei) and Eli Morgan (Israel), were initially named to rosters but did not end up competing.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, who hit two home runs against Italy for Team USA, chops a foul ball at home plate during a South Bend Cubs playoff game in 2022. (Credit: South Bend Tribune)

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