Most fans would not have expected journeyman outfielder Mike Tauchman to make the impact he made for the Chicago Cubs this season. Many would not have expected him to make the 26-man roster. He signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs before Spring Training without a guarantee to make the roster. Tauchman did not make his first major league appearance with the Cubs until May, but he has made the most of the opportunity that was provided. He has become a vital factor in the Cubs’ success throughout the summer, and they now enter the trade deadline with a winning record and are rapidly approaching a playoff spot.
Mike Tauchman Is Having Quite the Season
A Long, Strange Trip to Success
Mike Tauchman has spent most of his career as a minor league player who splits time between Triple-A and the Majors but can never carve out a definite role in the Bigs. The Palatine, Illinois native made his first splash in the Majors with the Colorado Rockies in 2017 and 2018. He logged a combined 52 games without significant success before being traded to the New York Yankees before the 2019 season. His first year in the Bronx was the best season of his career, hitting 13 home runs with a .865 OPS in 87 games.
He could not find that level of success again with the Yankees, playing significantly worse in 2020 and parts of 2021 before the Yankees traded him to the San Francisco Giants. Tauchman had some exciting moments, including robbing Albert Pujols of a walk-off home run, but had little offensive success. He was outrighted to the Giants’ Triple-A club for the remainder of the season. Rather than sign with another MLB organization, Tauchman elected to play overseas in 2022. He went to Korea and signed a contract with Korea’s Hanwha Eagles. He had a good year in Korea, batting .289 with 13 home runs, 19 stolen bases, and a .796 OPS.
An Unlikely Homecoming
Entering the 2023 season, Tauchman signed a one-year minor-league deal with the Cubs and started the year at Triple-A Iowa. He was on the 40-man roster on May 19 when Cody Bellinger went down with a knee injury. The Cubs designated Eric Hosmer for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Tauchman. He was an instant sparkplug on a team lacking offensive production, becoming an excellent leadoff hitter for the Cubs. He is batting .269 with five home runs and 34 RBI. Even after spending April in the Minors, he ranks tenth on the Cubs in WAR.
His defense has been incredible, giving the Cubs one of their most iconic moments in years. On July 28, Tauchman robbed the Cardinals’ Alec Burleson of a walk-off home run to give the Cubs their seventh straight win.
CUBS WIN! pic.twitter.com/K7nFdwZ8im
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 29, 2023
Plays like this have made him a fan favorite, as well as being a Chicagoland native. His journey has been years of struggling to remain in the Major Leagues. Rather than let his past struggles define him, Tauchman returned better than ever. If the Cubs can make a postseason push, it will be due in no small part to Tauchman’s efforts. His future in Chicago is unclear, but his efforts will remain in the memories of Cubs fans for years.
Main Photo Credits: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned: Mike Tauchman, Albert Pujols, Cody Bellinger, Eric Hosmer, Alec Burleson
