They did it. Before the end of June, too. The Cubs are now on to their FIFTH back-up catcher of the season.
Following in the ignominious wake of Austin Romine (wrist injury), Tony Wolters (ineffectiveness), P.J. Higgins (forearm injury), and Jose Lobaton (shoulder injury), minor league catcher Taylor Gushue is on his way up to the Cubs to be the new back-up behind a probably very tired Willson Contreras.
The #Cubs today placed catcher José Lobatón on the 60-day IL with a right shoulder sprain and selected catcher Taylor Gushue from @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/xHPeajW92f
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 30, 2021
Gushue, 27, will be making his big league debut whenever he first appears, as he’s slowly worked his way up through the minor leagues. Initially a Pirates 4th rounder, Gushue mostly developed in the Nationals’ system, showing a capable bat at each stop, but not registering much “prospect” attention. For that reason, there’s really not a ton I can tell you about Gushue’s catching ability, though it’s probably notable that he was with the Cubs since the offseason, playing at Iowa, and was only just now selected to come up after the other four guys went down.
On the year at Iowa, Gushue is hitting .272/.328/.440 (103 wRC+), and will hopefully simply be able to catch a good game. If you get a little lightning in a bottle as the league is less familiar with him initially at the plate, great.