Cubs’ Home Run Leader: Who Will Shine in 2026?

Welcome to BCB After Dark, the ultimate hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents, and Cubs fans worldwide. We invite you to settle in and enjoy the atmosphere—there’s no cover charge, and the hostess is ready to seat you. Feel free to bring your own beverage as we dive into the world of baseball.

BCB After Dark serves as a vibrant forum for discussing baseball, music, movies, and whatever else is on your mind, as long as it aligns with the site’s rules. While late-night revelers are encouraged to kick off the festivities, everyone is invited to join us as they wake up the next day and carry the conversation into the afternoon.

Last night, I sought your thoughts on the World Baseball Classic, and the responses were largely positive. A notable 38 percent expressed they “Like it,” while 26 percent said they “Love it.” Only a small fraction, just six percent, wished to see it discontinued.

On this Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, I typically steer clear of movie discussions, but I always make time for jazz. So, if that’s not your scene, feel free to skip ahead.

This evening, we have the pleasure of listening to pianist Jacky Terrasson perform Michel Legrand’s music from what I consider one of the greatest movie musicals, “Les parapluies de Cherbourg” (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg). Terrasson’s rendition brings a lively twist to the melancholic themes presented in the film. He is joined by Kenny Davis on bass and Alvester Garnett on drums, and this performance is from 2024.

For those who prefer to bypass the jazz, welcome back! Tonight’s pressing question revolves around the Cubs’ power hitters: Who will emerge as the team’s biggest home run threat?

Year after year, I pose the question of who will lead the Cubs in home runs, and it seems we’ve never quite hit the mark. The team’s home run leaders since 2020 have often surprised us:

• 2020: Ian Happ—12
• 2021: Patrick Wisdom—28
• 2022: Patrick Wisdom—25
• 2023: Cody Bellinger and Christopher Morel—26
• 2024: Ian Happ—25
• 2025: Michael Busch—34

None of these players were predicted to take the title at the start of their respective seasons. Wisdom’s back-to-back surprises stand out, while Busch seemed like a reasonable pick last year. However, did anyone really favor him over Kyle Tucker or Seiya Suzuki? Looking back, Bellinger’s performance isn’t unreasonable given his previous non-tender status with the Dodgers, but he shared the title with Morel, who was another unexpected victor.

With the understanding that our predictions may miss the mark once again, who do you think will lead the Cubs in home runs for 2026? I trust you’re familiar with the key players by now.

Thank you for joining us tonight. We appreciate your company and hope you make it home safely. If you need a ride, just let us know. Please recycle any cans and bottles, tip your waitstaff, and we look forward to seeing you again tomorrow for more BCB After Dark.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.