The Cubs Top 10 Player Power Ranking Might Surprise You

WAR (Wins Above Replacement) is a great stat for figuring out who's carrying the Cubs.

It works like this: imagine we have to find someone in the minor leagues to replace a player – that's your replacement-level guy, just a kind of average player for that position.

WAR tells us how much better (or worse!) our Cubs are than those replacements. So, if a player has a WAR of 2, they're roughly worth 2 more wins than that replacement-level guy.

Now, there are a few ways to calculate WAR, so numbers can vary a bit. I'm keeping it simple and sticking with one version. But for all you stat nerds, know there's more to explore! The point is, that WAR helps us see who's stepping up in ways that might not show up in RBIs or batting average.

So buckle up, Superfans! Here are the Cubs 2024 Power Rankings based on WAR as of Sunday, May 5th!"

#1 - Javier Assad 

Wins Above Replacement = 1.8

Assad has been a revelation for the Cubs this season. His 1.8 WAR ties him for the top spot on the team and places him 4th in all of MLB among pitchers. Assad's impressive 1.66 ERA puts him among the best, and his Adjusted ERA+ of 258 proves he's far more effective at limiting runs than the average pitcher. Assad consistently prevents runs, contributing to his top-tier rankings in Adjusted Pitching Runs and Adjusted Pitching Wins. He's not only effective when starting games but also excels at resolving challenging situations left by previous pitchers.

• WAR (Wins Above Replacement): The ultimate comprehensive stat. A replacement-level player is someone the Cubs could easily find in the minor leagues. Assad's 1.8 WAR means he's been worth roughly 1.8 more wins than a "replacement" pitcher.

• ERA (Earned Run Average): The classic pitching stat. This is the average number of runs a pitcher gives up for every 9 innings. A lower ERA is better, and Assad's 1.66 is really impressive. League Average 3.96

• Adjusted ERA: Similar to ERA, but adjusted for things like ballpark factors and the league's difficulty. A high number here means a pitcher is doing an even better job preventing runs when outside factors are considered.

• Adjusted Pitching Runs & Adjusted Pitching Wins: These metrics measure how many runs a pitcher prevents compared to an average pitcher and how that translates to wins for their team. Strong numbers here mean he's directly helping the Cubs win games.

#2 - Shota Imanaga 

Wins Above Replacement = 1.8

Shota Imanaga has been equally impactful as his co-leader, Javier Assad, achieving an identical 1.8 WAR. Imanaga's league-leading record of 5-0 shows he's been a dependable contributor, securing key victories for the Cubs. Like Assad, his Adjusted Pitching Runs and Adjusted Pitching Wins stats place him near the top of MLB, proving his value in limiting runs. Additionally, his Base-Out Runs Saved stat highlights his ability to excel in high-pressure situations with runners already on base. Imanaga backs up this dominance with strong traditional stats—34 strikeouts over 34 innings and a WHIP of 0.750 show his ability to limit baserunners and consistently deliver outs.

• WHIP: WHIP stands for Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched. It indicates how many batters reach base per inning, on average. A lower WHIP is better, and Imanaga's 0.750 is well below average! League Average is 1.270

• Base-Out Runs Saved: This stat examines situations where Shota pitches with runners on base and measures his effectiveness compared to an average pitcher in preventing those runners from scoring."

#3 - Jameson Taillon

Wins Above Replacement = 1.3

Jameson Taillon has been a workhorse for the Cubs, boasting a solid 1.3 WAR. His stats focus less on eye-popping numbers and more on consistent quality. Taillon's strength lies in keeping batters off-balance, as seen in his strong Breaking Ball Run Value. His xERA, while not quite elite, still suggests he does a good job limiting runs and preventing damage. Taillon is the pitcher you want on the mound for crucial innings, delivering dependable results for the team.

• Breaking Ball Run Value: This looks at how effective Taillon's breaking pitches are (curveballs, sliders, etc.). If this number is positive, it means his breaking stuff is fooling batters and making it harder for them to get hits or score runs.

• xERA (Expected Earned Run Average): This works like regular ERA, but it tries to predict what a pitcher's ERA should be based on how hard hitters are hitting the ball, strikeouts, walks, etc. It can be a good way to tell if a pitcher is getting a bit lucky or unlucky.

#4 -Heyden Wesneski

Wins Above Replacement = 1.1

Hayden Wesneski didn’t make the Opening Day roster, but he’s showing significant promise as a do-it-all pitcher for the Cubs. While his 1.1 WAR might not indicate dominance, his more nuanced stats tell another story. His xERA places him among the best in the league at limiting runs, showing he has the talent to be truly elite. What's more, his XBA of .166 suggests batters have a tough time squaring up his pitches, a sign that Wesneski has effective pitches on the mound. He's been dominating both right-handed batters (RHB) and left-handed batters (LHB), despite LHB being a weakness last year.

• XBA (Expected Batting Average): This metric evaluates the quality of contact hitters make against a pitcher. A low XBA indicates that hitters are consistently making poor contact. League Average is .246

#5 - Mark Leiter Jr

Wins Above Replacement = 0.8

Mark Leiter Jr. is the Cubs' high-impact reliever, known for his dominant split-finger pitch. This devastating pitch puts him in the 94th percentile with a 34.8% Whiff Percentage, consistently making hitters swing and miss. Against left-handed batters, he's particularly effective, holding them to a .158 average and a .493 OPS. This ability to challenge batters makes him a crucial bullpen weapon in high-pressure situations.

• Whiff Percentage: This statistic indicates what percentage of a pitcher's pitches result in the batter swinging and missing. A high whiff rate signifies that a pitcher has excellent pitches that are difficult for hitters to handle. League Average is 11.2%

#6 - Mike Tauchman

Wins Above Replacement = 0.7

Mike Tauchman brings a combination of speed and intelligence to the basepaths, making him a true asset. His Baserunning Run-Value ranks in the top 6% among all hitters. With his exceptional baserunning skills, he always keeps the opposing team on their toes, turning hits into doubles and effortlessly stealing extra bases from first to third.

But that's not all! Tauchman's patience at the plate is truly remarkable. He has a knack for avoiding strikeouts, placing him in the top 2% of hitters in Walk Rate (16.7%) This means he walks more often, getting on base and creating numerous scoring opportunities for our team.

• Baserunning Run-Value: This measures how many runs above average a player is because of their baserunning. This includes stealing, taking extra bases, and avoiding outs.

• Walk Rate: This represents the percentage of plate appearances where a batter earns a walk. A high walk rate shows their ability to see the pitch well and not chase bad pitches. League Average is 8%.

#7 - Seiya Suzuki

Wins Above Replacement = 0.6

An Oblique injury has limited Seiya Suzuki's playing time but his power at the plate and knack for coming through in the clutch make his impact undeniable. His high ranking in doubles shows his power at the plate, while his Win Probability Added suggests a knack for coming through in the clutch. Suzuki's ability to help the Cubs win crucial games earns him a solid 0.6 WAR despite not being in every lineup.  He is expected back in the Cubs starting lineup in the next week.  

• Win Probability Added (WPA): This measures how much a player's actions contribute to his team winning. A hit that puts your team ahead late in the game, for example, would have a high WPA.

#8 - Nico Hoerner

Wins Above Replacement = 0.5

Nico Hoerner is consistently dangerous for the Cubs. His knack for extra-base hits is evident, ranking an impressive 5th in the MLB for doubles. Beyond power, his high Championship Win Probability Added (cWPA) highlights his knack for delivering in crucial moments, helping the Cubs win those close, late-game battles. And while not flashy, his low strikeout rate suggests a disciplined hitter who consistently puts the ball in play.

• Championship Win Probability Added (cWPA): This focuses on how much a player helps his team win in those high-pressure, late-game situations.

#10 (tie) - Ben Brown

Wins Above Replacement = 0.4

Ben Brown is a young pitcher with exciting potential for the Cubs. His breaking pitches show promise, and his fastball velocity hints at a powerful set of pitches in development. While still refining his skills, his recent performances, including a 2.42 ERA (Earned Run Average) since his MLB debut in Texas, suggest he's improving rapidly. If Brown continues this trajectory, he could become a key part of the Cubs' pitching rotation or a valuable bullpen asset.

#10 (tie) - Dansby Swanson

Wins Above Replacement = 0.4

Ben Brown is a young pitcher with exciting potential for the Cubs. His breaking pitches show promise, and his fastball velocity hints at a powerful set of pitches in development. While still refining his skills, his recent performances, including a 2.42 ERA (Earned Run Average) since his MLB debut in Texas, suggest he's improving rapidly. If Brown continues this trajectory, he could become a key part of the Cubs' pitching rotation or a valuable bullpen asset.

#10 (tie) - Christopher Morel

Wins Above Replacement = 0.4

Christopher "Home Run" Morel has shown flashes of brilliance for the Cubs this year, though his performance has been inconsistent. After a quiet stretch, he ignited during the Cubs' trip to New York, smashing 4 home runs, walking 6 times, and driving in 9 runs over a 7-game period. However, he struggled during the West Coast road trip to San Diego, Seattle, and Arizona, hitting just .156 with 20 strikeouts in 64 at-bats. Morel is still adjusting to playing third base every day while being a significant force in the middle of the Cubs' lineup. He has the potential to be a major contributor to the team's success.. He has the ability to carry the entire team.

Honorable Mention

Wins Above Replacement = 0.3

Cody Bellinger (0.3 WAR): A fractured rib cartilage sidelined Bellinger, interrupting his season with the Cubs. However, the former MVP's power and defense remain assets as he aims to regain his form upon his return in mid-May.

Hector Neris (0.3 WAR): While Neris has backfilled the closer role, his recent struggles with walks might impact his long-term effectiveness in this position. Nonetheless, his experience remains valuable to the bullpen.

Miguel Amaya (0.3 WAR): Amaya, the Cubs' young catcher, is still developing his skills, showing flashes of potential both offensively and defensively.

Michael Busch (0.3 WAR): Busch, like Morel, has experienced both highs and lows. His power surge with 5 consecutive HRs on the West Coast shows potential, but recent struggles and inconsistencies at the plate and in the field highlight areas for improvement.

Pete Crow-Armstrong (0.3 WAR): PCA has impressed with exceptional centerfield defense and better-than-expected offensive performance since his call-up. While his low walk rate is an area for growth, his overall potential and early contributions make him a player to watch.