Chicago Cubs Utilityman Mastrobuoni Reacts To Making Opening Day Roster

Miles Mastrobuoni recalls how he learned he made the Chicago Cubs Opening Day roster, and how he best describes what he'll bring to the club.
Chicago Cubs Utilityman Mastrobuoni Reacts To Making Opening Day Roster
Chicago Cubs Utilityman Mastrobuoni Reacts To Making Opening Day Roster /
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Miles Mastrobuoni walked into manager David Ross' office earlier this week. He was expecting the news to be bad. But he was elated when he learned he would be on the Chicago Cubs Opening Day roster.

"A big smile on my face, for sure," Mastrobuoni recalled.

The 27-year-old was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays during the offseason, bringing the ability to play all over the infield and in the outfield. 

He hit .350, drove in three runs and stole three bases in 20 at-bats this spring. He also played for Team Italy at the World Baseball Classic, hitting .278 with two RBI and a stolen base in international play.

He is expected to play in a utility role for the Cubs, something he's excited to do, especially at the team's home ballpark.

"I've heard so many great things about the fanbase and Chicago," he said. "I'm just happy I get to be a part of it and experience Wrigley (Field). I heard it's an amazing place, and I can't wait to get out there."

Mastrobuoni has yet to have a chance to showcase himself at the Big League level. He has just eight games of Major League experience, spending most of the 2022 season with the Rays' Triple-A outfit.

In the minors, he's shown the ability to be a threat at the plate and on the base paths, posting career highs in home runs (16) and stolen bases (23) last year.

Now he wants to prove he can offer the same with the Cubs.

"I think 'gamer,' that's the one word that comes to my mind; play every inning hard, never take an at-bat for granted, and leave it all out on the field. I want to do whatever I can to help this club," he said.

He'll look to follow a similar trajectory as former Rays' utility man Jake Cronenworth, who only got a chance to showcase himself once he was traded to the Padres.

Mastrobuoni will be an easy guy to root for.

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Ryan Sikes
RYAN SIKES

Ryan is a Chicago Cubs writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside The Cubs, an IBWAA member, and has followed the Cubs since the mid-1990s. He grew up in the Rockford area and used to attend a handful of games every summer at Wrigley Field, including Aramis Ramirez's walkoff home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007 after the Cubs trailed 5-0.He attended the University of Iowa and currently resides in the western suburbs. In addition to covering the Cubs, he covers the USHL for FloHockey and NCAA hockey for College Hockey News. When he's not writing or watching sports, he enjoys hanging out with his wife and three kids.