Ranking the Best MLB Debuts in Chicago Cubs History
A Major League debut lasts only one game, but it can shape a player’s legacy forever. With more than a century of games behind them, the Chicago Cubs have seen debuts filled with hype, surprise, pressure, and timing that could not have been scripted better. What ties these debuts together is impact, measured by what happened on the field that day and why it mattered in that moment.
Thomas Diamond
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Thomas Diamond’s debut on August 3, 2010, was defined by strikeouts. His 10 punchouts over six innings matched Mark Prior’s Cubs debut record. The effort came in a 4–3 loss to Milwaukee, which limited the spotlight on it. Diamond pitched only three MLB games, which locked that debut into a single sharp snapshot.
Shota Imanaga
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On April 1, 2024, Shota Imanaga was introduced to Chicago with no easing-in period. His six shutout innings featured nine strikeouts, zero walks, and only two hits allowed against Colorado. The 5–0 home opener win set the tone for an early stretch that produced a 0.84 ERA through nine starts. His All-Star selection and Cy Young votes followed within the same season.
Jorge Soler
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Jorge Soler debuted on August 27, 2014, in Cincinnati. He homered in his first MLB at-bat, joining a short list of players who needed only one swing to announce themselves. An RBI single later in the game added more proof. The Cubs lost 7–5, but the raw power hinted at what was coming.
Shawn Boskie
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Facing former Cy Young winner Mike Scott on May 20, 1990, raised the difficulty level immediately for Shawn Boskie. The right-hander threw a complete game, allowed one run, and struck out six across nine innings. His bat mattered too, producing a 2-for-4 night with an RBI double. The 5–1 win over Houston turned out to be the peak of his Cubs career.
Ron Santo
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Ron Santo debuted in a doubleheader against a Pirates team loaded with talent on June 26, 1960. The Cubs entered the day riding a nine-game losing streak and sitting in last place. He delivered a three-run double off Bob Friend in Game 1. Additional RBIs in the nightcap helped secure a sweep that shifted momentum and launched a Hall of Fame career.
Nico Hoerner
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September 9, 2019, did not start as a big day for Nico Hoerner. The Minor League season had ended, and he had already gone home. Then injuries and playoff pressure forced an unexpected call-up, which sent him straight to San Diego. Hoerner stepped into the lineup and delivered immediately. He went 3-for-5 with a triple, four RBIs, and two runs scored. His breakout performance helped power a 10–2 win over the San Diego Padres, a game that mattered in the postseason race at the time.
Jeff Pico
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A complete-game shutout in an MLB debut almost sounds fictional, but Jeff Pico delivered exactly that on May 31, 1988. The 22-year-old allowed four hits, zero walks, and struck out six against a Reds lineup that included Barry Larkin and Eric Davis. Pico’s career lasted only three seasons, but that night stood out.
Mark Prior
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The hype around Mark Prior stemmed from his being the second overall pick in the 2001 MLB Draft, well before May 22, 2002. His MLB debut came after only nine Minor League appearances, which made every pitch feel like an evaluation. The 10 strikeouts across six innings set a Cubs franchise record for a debut. The 7–4 win over Pittsburgh confirmed that the expectations were grounded in results.
Kosuke Fukudome
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Opening Day on March 31, 2008, came with expectations because Kosuke Fukudome arrived on a four-year, $48 million contract. He became the first Japanese-born player in Cubs history before even swinging the bat. A 3-for-3 night included a single, double, homer, and a walk. The game-tying ninth-inning home run off Eric Gagne sent Wrigley Field into chaos despite a 4–3 loss to Milwaukee.
Starlin Castro
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When Starlin Castro stepped in as the shortstop for the Chicago Cubs at just 20 years old, the night of May 7, 2010, turned historic fast. He homered in his first MLB at-bat off Homer Bailey, which placed him on a rare list the moment the ball cleared the fence. Six RBIs followed, setting a Major League record for a debut game. The bases-clearing triple later in the night turned his debut into a once-in-a-century Cubs moment.