Long is slashing .311/.410/.492 with 20 home runs, a 13.2 percent walk rate and a 19.1 percent strikeout rate in 132 games for Triple-A Iowa.
The righty-hitting first baseman did everything in his power to force a promotion to the big leagues, but he's not on the 40-man roster and there's a logjam ahead of him on the organizational depth chart. Long has dabbled at third base and in left field, but it's unlikely the Cubs would play him at either of those positions in the majors. Michael Busch starts at first base against righties and Seiya Suzuki has started 102 games at designated hitter this year, with prospects who are on the 40-man like Moises Ballesteros, Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara also muddying Long's playing time outlook for 2026. Despite Long's stellar age-23 campaign, he won't need to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason, so he will probably return to Triple-A next year for an indefinite period.
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Cubs' Jonathon Long: Back in action at Triple-A
Rotowire
Long (leg) struck out in a pinch-hit appearance Tuesday in Triple-A Iowa's 3-2 loss to Columbus.
Long exited Iowa's game Saturday due to a tight leg muscle, and then sat out Sunday. After a team off day Monday, Long remained out of the lineup Tuesday, but his usage off the bench suggests that he'll avoid a stint on the 7-day injured list. It's unclear how soon he might resume playing either corner-infield spot, but Iowa could deploy him at designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup. The 23-year-old is slashing .368/.429/.533 with a 9.5 percent walk rate and 25.3 percent strikeout rate in his first season at Triple-A.
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Cubs' Jonathon Long: Exits Triple-A game early
Rotowire
Long left Saturday's game for Triple-A Iowa due to a tight leg muscle, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.
Long is slashing .367/.429/.533 with four home runs, two steals, a 9.5 percent walk rate and a 24.9 percent strikeout rate in his first 40 games at Triple-A. His 33.9 percent hard-hit rate is strong, but Long's .486 BABIP illustrates his good fortune in the early going. He hasn't been placed on Iowa's injured list and should be considered day-to-day for now.
