As the Chicago Cubs continue their 2025 season, shortstop Dansby Swanson remains a central figure in the team’s lineup despite underwhelming offensive numbers. The Cubs are reportedly considering drafting Arkansas shortstop Wehiwa Aloy in the upcoming MLB Draft as a potential replacement for Swanson, whose performance has raised questions amid a long-term contract commitment.
Dansby Swanson’s Current Season Highlights Challenges
Dansby Swanson, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, has posted a .240 batting average with 14 home runs and 39 RBIs over 80 games this year. Although these stats are modestly respectable, they fall short considering the strong offensive output of his teammates, such as Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, and Kyle Tucker. Swanson’s struggles have been most apparent with runners on base, where his batting average dips to .175, and even further down to .141 with runners in scoring position.
With Swanson now approaching the midpoint of a seven-year contract valued at $177 million, the Cubs may be exploring alternative options to strengthen their shortstop position before the contract’s conclusion.
Chicago’s Prospects: Targeting Wehiwa Aloy in the 2025 MLB Draft
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report suggests that the Cubs could bypass trades or free agency and instead select Arkansas shortstop Wehiwa Aloy with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Aloy, recently honored as the Golden Spikes Award winner, has demonstrated impressive offensive and defensive skills this season.
“The 2025 Golden Spikes Award winner, Aloy hit .350/.434/.673 with 19 doubles, 21 home runs and 68 RBI in 65 games this spring at Arkansas while serving as the team’s starting shortstop,”
—Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report
“His 64 strikeouts and 20.6 percent strikeout rate this spring do raise some minor red flags, but quality defensive shortstops with 20-homer power don’t grow on trees, so even if he never hits for a high average he still has a high value floor.”
—Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report
As a three-year starter for the Arkansas Razorbacks, Aloy played a pivotal role in leading the team to the 2025 College World Series, where they narrowly missed competing for the national championship. His efforts earned him a spot on the All-SEC First Team and the prestigious title of SEC Player of the Year.
Consensus Among Experts Places Aloy Among Top Draft Picks
Wehiwa Aloy is widely regarded as one of the top prospects for the 2025 MLB Draft across multiple rankings. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel ranks him as the 14th best prospect overall, while The Athletic’s Keith Law and MLB.com place him at 15th and 17th respectively. These consistent evaluations emphasize Aloy’s promising potential as a future MLB shortstop.
The Cubs’ interest in Aloy comes amid ongoing discussions about the long-term viability of Dansby Swanson in their lineup. Given Aloy’s combination of defensive prowess and power hitting, he fits the profile of a valuable asset who could eventually succeed Swanson.
Looking Ahead: What This Could Mean for the Cubs’ Future
The possibility of drafting Wehiwa Aloy reflects the Cubs’ strategic focus on securing a durable and productive shortstop as they manage the complexities of Swanson’s contract and performance. If Aloy develops as expected, he could offer Chicago a reliable presence both offensively and defensively, easing the transition from Swanson. This move also signals a potential shift toward building through the draft rather than relying solely on trades or free agency to solve positional needs.