6 Baseball Players who Played for Royals and Cubs
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Royals and the Cubs.
Eric Hosmer
Eric Hosmer is in his 13th season in the majors. He’s spent most of that time with the Royals (7 years) and Padres (5 years), but has also played for the Cubs and the Red Sox.
Hosmer is a 4-time Gold Glove award winner and was an All-Star in 2016 (all with the Royals). His best season may actually have been in 2017 though when he hit over .300 while racking up 192 hits and 25 home runs.
Because of his talent and the recency he has played for multiple different teams, Hosmer will be a popular pick for multiple grid squares.
Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman, nicknamed “The Cuban Missile,” is a pitcher known for his blazing fastball, which has been clocked as high as 105 miles per hour. Chapman made his debut with Cincinnati and was an integral part of the Reds’ bullpen, earning multiple All-Star selections during his tenure with the team.
In late 2015, he was traded to the New York Yankees, but his time in New York was initially short-lived. In mid-2016, Chapman was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he played a key role in helping the Cubs win the World Series, their first in over 100 years.
After that season, Chapman went back to the Yankees where he continued to have major success, including three additional All-Star selections.
Chapman Key Stats
- All-Star (Reds, Yankees)
- World Series Champ (Cubs)
Ben Zobrist
Ben Zobrist, a versatile player renowned for his switch-hitting capabilities and his ability to play multiple positions, spent 14 seasons in Major League Baseball from 2005 to 2019.
He began his career with the Tampa Bay Rays and was later a key figure in championship teams for the Kansas City Royals in 2015 and the Chicago Cubs in 2016. In his career, Zobrist batted .266 with 167 home runs and 768 RBIs.
He was also selected to the All-Star team three times (Rays, Cubs) and won the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2016 when he hit a crucial RBI double in Game 7 to help the Cubs win their first championship since 1908.
Jorge Soler
Jorge Soler is an outfielder known for his power-hitting ability. He made his MLB debut in 2014 with the Chicago Cubs and was part of the team that ended the Cubs’ 108-year World Series drought in 2016.
His breakout season came after a trade to the Kansas City Royals. In 2019, he led the American League in home runs with 48, setting a new Royals single-season record. However, Soler’s first All-Star appearance wasn’t until this season with the Marlins.
Soler also has displayed his power in the postseason, earning the World Series MVP award in 2021 as a member of the Atlanta Braves.
Soler Key Stats
- All-Star (Marlins)
- 40+ Home Run Season (Royals)
- 100+ RBI Season (Royals)
Matt Stairs
Matt Stairs had a lengthy Major League career that spanned from 1992 to 2011, during which he played for 12 different teams, essentially making him an Immaculate Grid Hall-of-Famer.
Known for his power-hitting abilities, primarily as a pinch-hitter, he hit 265 home runs over his career and holds the record for the most pinch-hit home runs in MLB history with 23. Stairs had a career batting average of .262 with an OPS of .832, and recorded 899 RBIs.
Notably, in the 2008 postseason with the Philadelphia Phillies, he hit one of the most famous home runs in Phillies history, helping the team move onto the World Series that year.
Benito Santiago
As a young catcher growing up, I remember seeing Benito Santiago throwing players out from his knees and thought it was the coolest thing ever and something I remember imitating in Little League games.
But, that’s not what matters here. What matters is that 5 time All-Star Benito Santiago played for 9 different teams throughout this 20 year career which makes him an absolute force on the Immaculate Grid.
Santiago played for Padres, Giants, Reds, (Florida) Marlins, Blue Jays, Royals, Pirates, Phillies and Cubs.
Mark Grudzielanek
Mark Grudzielanek, who played from 1995 to 2010, spent his career with several teams, including the Dodgers, Expos, Cubs, Royals, Indians (now Guardians) and Cardinals.
A versatile infielder known for his reliable glove and solid hitting, Grudzielanek amassed over 2,000 hits and earned a Golden Glove in 2006 with the Royals.
He had a standout season in 1996 when he hit .306 with the Expos, and he earned an All-Star appearance in 1996. One year later (still with Expos), he led the majors with 54 doubles.
