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Cubs Sign Former Top Prospect Scott Kingery to Minor League Contract
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- Cubs Sign Former Top Prospect Scott Kingery to Minor League Contract
In 2025, the Chicago Cubs reaped the benefits of several savvy waiver claims and minor-league deals from the previous offseason.
Players like Chris Flexen and Reese McGuire were among those who made a significant impact on the Cubs' season after being acquired on a minor league contract. The organization's pro scouting department has done an impressive job recently of identifying undervalued talent and bringing it to Chicago on low-risk, high-reward transactions.
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As the calendar flipped to December, the Cubs had yet to find one of those value deals this winter.
But on Tuesday, Chicago agreed to terms with infielder Scott Kingery on a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. And while this move will most likely be inconsequential in a few months, the Cubs' recent track record should give fans an open mind to the possibility that Chicago sees something in the 31-year-old infielder that could help them during the 2026 season.
Kingery is best known for his tenure with the Philadelphia Phillies . He was a second-round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft out of Arizona and burst onto the scene with a monster 2017 season in the minors.
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Between Double-A and Triple-A in 2017, Kingery hit .304 with 26 home runs, 29 doubles, and 29 stolen bases.That breakout rocketed him up prospect rankings, making him the No. 2 prospect in the Phillies' system and the No. 35 prospect in all of baseball entering 2018.
He made his MLB debut later that year, with his true statement season coming in 2019, when he posted a .788 OPS, 34 doubles, 19 home runs, and 15 stolen bases as a regular in Philadelphia's lineup.
Kingery was a versatile utility man, playing center field just as often as he played third base, shortstop, or second base during that 2019 season. Many viewed him as a budding core piece — a five-tool-ish utility player who could eventually settle into an everyday role.
But in 2019, a hamstring strain disrupted some of his momentum. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, and Kingery was one of the players hit especially hard. He contracted the virus during the delayed spring training, arrived late to summer camp, and dealt with recurring back and shoulder issues afterward — on top of lingering effects from the illness.
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Health troubles only escalated, and his performance suffered. Since the end of the 2020 season, Kingery has played in just 35 major-league games, 19 of which came during a brief stint with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025.
Some of the potential has still shown up in the minor leagues. In 2024, Kingery posted an OPS over .800 with 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Philadelphia's Triple-A team. That's the same offensive upside and defensive versatility that once made him such an intriguing prospect.
Now he joins the Cubs — a team that doesn't currently have a true utility option on the roster. And if I had to guess, Chicago likely views Kingery as a possible Willi Castro , Jon Berti –type replacement if all goes well, with essentially no downside to the club.
Jed Hoyer has emphasized that he wants to prioritize pitching in free agency. Most of the Cubs' starting lineup is already set, especially if Seiya Suzuki steps into a regular DH role while Owen Caissie takes over right field and Moisés Ballesteros splits time between catcher and DH.
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But the bench remains wide open. Miguel Amaya will be on the team as a reserve catcher, but beyond that, jobs are up for grabs. Kingery could legitimately compete for a roster spot with a strong spring. He can play all over the infield and move to the outfield when needed — the kind of versatility Craig Counsell values, especially if Chicago doesn't want to commit a major-league deal to a utility player.
Kingery is an easy player to root for and an undeniably fun story. This isn't a signing that should excite Cubs fans, but if he finds success in Wrigleyville, it's easy to imagine him becoming a quick fan favorite.
