Why Reese McGuire Is Trending Today: 5 Things Red Sox Fans Need to Know

Reese McGuire wasted no time making the most of his latest big-league opportunity. Less than 12 hours after the Chicago Cubs selected his contract from Triple-A Iowa to replace injured catcher Miguel Amaya (10-day IL, left oblique strain), the 30-year-old launched a first-inning homer off Cincinnati left-hander Nick Lodolo in Sunday’s series finale, helping the first-place Cubs keep their momentum in the tightly packed NL Central race. Why the Cubs turned to McGuire • Experience matters: McGuire carries eight seasons of MLB service with the Blue Jays, White Sox and Red Sox, slashing .252/.300/.364 over 383 career games. • Triple-A production: In 22 games for Iowa he hit .280/.360/.467 with three homers and 19 RBIs, showing the left-handed contact profile Chicago’s lineup lacked against right-handed pitching. • Developmental priority: Rising prospect Moisés Ballesteros will stay in Des Moines for everyday reps, allowing the organization to preserve his service time while giving the big-league staff a proven defender behind the plate. Instant impact at the plate Pressed into starting duty when Carson Kelly came down ill pre-game, McGuire looked anything but rusty. His opposite-field blast cleared the Great American Ball Park wall at 101 mph off the bat, staking rookie right-hander Ben Brown to an early cushion. The Cubs have now received at least one home run from each of the three backstops (Kelly, Amaya, McGuire) who have appeared this month, underscoring the position’s surprising depth. What McGuire brings defensively Scouting reports have long praised the former first-round pick’s receiving and game-calling. Pitchers averaged a 3.77 ERA throwing to him last year in Boston, and his 28 percent caught-stealing rate sits above league average. Chicago’s young rotation—headlined by Shota Imanaga, Jordan Wicks and Brown—should benefit from his experience stealing extra strikes on the edges. Clubhouse fit and leadership Manager Craig Counsell lauded McGuire’s “always-ready” mindset, noting the veteran maintained daily pre-game routines with Iowa in anticipation of a call-up. That example resonates for a roster filled with rookies and second-year contributors chasing the organization’s first division crown since 2020. Fantasy baseball angle In two-catcher formats, McGuire’s left-hand bat and contact skills make him a viable short-term streamer while Amaya recovers. Expect three to four starts per week, with an extra boost in OBP leagues thanks to his patient approach. Looking ahead The Cubs have an off-day Thursday before a pivotal homestand against Milwaukee and St. Louis. If McGuire continues to handle the pitching staff and chip in offense from the nine-spot, he could carve out a permanent share of the workload even after Amaya returns—especially against tough right-handers in the division. Bottom line Reese McGuire’s timely call-up underscores how depth can fuel a contender. One swing in Cincinnati announced his arrival; the weeks ahead will determine how large a role he plays in Chicago’s October ambitions.