Chicago Cubs
NL Central
2024 record: 83-79 (tied for 2nd)
MiLB affiliates
Triple-A: Iowa Cubs
Double-A: Knoxville Smokies
High-A: South Bend Cubs
Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Notable prospects graduated in 2024
OF Pete Crow-Armstrong
LHP Jordan Wicks
RHP Ben Brown
RHP Daniel Palencia (43 IP)
Prospects1500 writers who contributed to this column and rankings: Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan), Michael Kelley (@MKelley_ND)and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2024
Tier 1
1. Matt Shaw, 3B, 23, Triple-A
At this time last year, Shaw was coming off a really solid pro debut which had already propelled him up prospect rankings. After slashing .284/.379/.488 in 2024, he sits firmly atop the Cubs farm system and is maybe the best third base prospect in baseball. For his plus power and advanced hitting skills, he was awarded with the Southern League (Double-A) MVP. Although Shaw was drafted as a shortstop, the move to third base hasn’t accelerated his ascension to top prospect status. (@aj_greene1015)
Tier 2
2. Moisés Ballesteros, C, 21, Triple-A
The Cubs “catcher of the future” is coming! Ballesteros was one of my favorite players whom I saw in this most recent installment of the Arizona Fall League. In 19 games he slashed .317/.376/.557/.933, with 5 HR, 16 RBI and 44 total bases. He split 2024 between Double/Triple-A and was invited to the Futures Game. If one is looking at the other Cubs catchers, I feel strongly that Ballesteros can move past Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly and Carlos Perez on the depth chart sooner than later. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
3. Cade Horton, RHP, 23, Triple-A
With a plus fastball, double plus slider, legit curve, a fringy change, and command of all of them, Horton is expected to be a key piece of the Cubs rotation in the near future.The change is clearly the fourth best pitch and it is a pitch that can get hit too often, but the other three are legit strikeout pitches. There is certainly some health concerns here though as he threw just 34.1 innings a season ago and missed a good amount of time in college due to Tommy John surgery. If he can stay healthy, he has number two starter upside. (@ShaunKernahan)
4. Owen Caissie, OF, 22, Triple-A
The Cubs have been aggressive with Caissie and things looked really good for a 2025 MLB call-up. Then the Cubs signed Kyle Tucker. I struggle with Caissie because on the one hand, he has legitimate 25-30 home run upside and will take a walk. On the other hand, he strikes out a ton and is a left-handed hitter. Tucker and PCA both hit from the left side and Happ is a switch hitter. I just don’t see a clear path to at-bats. I have seen some experts comp him to Kyle Schwarber. If that is his outcome, I would take that and be very happy. (@JMahyfam)
Tier 3
5. Kevin Alcántara, OF, 22, MLB
For someone with Alcántara’s athleticism, you’d almost expect him to be higher on this list. The 6’6’’ Dominican outfielder produces some of the highest exit velocities in the Cubs system, and seemed to turn a corner in Triple-A Iowa after a quiet 76 games in Double-A for his standards. He was seeing the ball better, and despite a higher K%, his chase rate for the season as a whole was way down from 2023. With good instincts, Alcántara runs well and is a plus on the basepaths. He played the last series of the season with the MLB squad, so he’ll likely get more time in the show in 2025. (@aj_greene1015)
6. James Triantos, 2B, 21, Triple-A
It is tough not to love Triantos’ bat. He makes excellent contact on pitches in the zone and rarely chases outside the zone. He has enough power to project 12-15 home runs and can steal bases in bunches (47 last year). Unfortunately, as with Caissie, he is about MLB ready and is blocked all over the infield. It is a great problem for the Cubs, but Triantos owners in dynasty have got to be praying for a trade. (@JMahyfam)
7. Jefferson Rojas, SS, 19, High-A
After starting the 2024 season off on fire Rojas cooled a bit but still put up a respectable line considering he was 19 years old for the whole season. In 372 High-A at-bats, he slashed .245/.310/.336 while only striking out 15% of the time. He also has the bat speed to project future power. If you like to play the “path to playing time” game, consider this: He would project to be ready in 2027 which is also when Nico Hoerner would hit free agency. (@JMahyfam)
8. Fernando Cruz, SS, 18, Rookie (DSL)
Cruz is the cousin of Starlin Castro, and was rated by most scouting services as a Top 5 International Free Agent in the ‘24 class. The Cubs inked him to a $4M deal and will develop as a shortstop. While he hasn’t broken out like Jesus Made or Emil Morales, he still possesses above-average 5-tool potential. It’ll take him several seasons to develop, but the payoff may be sweet. (@MKelley_ND)
9. Brandon Birdsell, RHP, 24, Triple-A
Chicago’s 2022 5th round pick out of Texas Tech could be on the cusp of the big leagues. Having spent all of 2024 across from Double-A and Triple-A, Birdsell is one of the system’s starting pitchers we need to keep eyes on. He certainly has a lot of competition within the Iowa rotation, including the likes of Horton, Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks, possibly Caleb Kilian, and even the recently acquired Cody Poteet from the Yankees. Coming off a season where he pitched the most innings in his career, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get some meaningful Major League innings. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
10. Pedro Ramírez, 3B/2B, 20, High-A
To date, Ramírez has been able to show the Cubs’ brass that one of his skills is his ability to play multiple positions in both the infield and outfield. His footwork and instincts fit best at 2B, where he’ll be able to hit for average and run a little on the base paths. I would envision him as a bottom of the order table-settler that helps lineups turn over more efficiently. (@MKelley_ND)
11. Cole Mathis, 3B/RHP, 21, College
Coming into the draft, Mathis was a genuine two way prospect with a fastball up to 96 and a hammer breaking ball, but the bat is what drives his value and he is likely purely a position player for the Cubs. While there is some hope he can develop into a fringy third baseman where his plus arm would play well, his defensive position is really limited to first base long term. With that, the reliance will be on the bat, but the bat is pretty darn good as he has a good eye at the plate and the ball really jumps off the bat. (@ShaunKernahan)
Tier 4
12. Jaxon Wiggins, RHP, 23, High-A
13. BJ Murray Jr., 3B, 25, Triple-A
14. Alexander Canario, OF, 24, MLB
15. Benjamin Cowles, SS, 24, Double-A
16. Cristian Hernández, SS, 21, High-A
17. Porter Hodge, RHP, 23, MLB
18. Pablo Aliendo, C, 23, Double-A
19. Jonathon Long, 1B, 22, Double-A
20. Brody McCullough, RHP, 24, Double-A
21. Luke Little, LHP, 24, MLB
22. Jack Neely, RHP, 24, MLB
23. Erian Rodríguez, RHP, 23, High-A
Canario has good pop and had some at-bats in the majors this past season. He could be a solid MLB outfielder, perhaps as soon as this year. Cowles projects as a utility/bench type in the majors. Hodge showed some flashes of brilliance as a high-leverage situation RP in the Cubs bullpen and could open 2025 as their closer. Long, one of the top hitters in this past season’s Arizona Fall League (.338/.425/.662, 6 HR, 49 TB) has some pop and an average hit tool. McCullough looks like a potential solid starter in the major leagues. Neely looks like a solid reliever, potential closer, in the major leagues. (@tonybps1)
Tier 5
24. Will Sanders, RHP, 22, Double-A
25. Christian Franklin, OF, 25, Double-A
26. Haydn McGeary, 1B, 25, Double-A
27. Nazier Mulé, RHP, 20, Single-A
28. Yahil Melendez, SS, 19, Rookie (ACL)
29. Ty Southisene, SS, 19, High school
30. Jose Escobar, 2B, 20, Single-A
31. Ronny Cruz, SS, 18, High school
32. Kohl Franklin, RHP, 25, Triple-A
33. Gage Workman, 3B/SS, 25, Double-A
34. Tyler Schlaffer, RHP, 23, High-A
35. Luis Vázquez, SS, 25, MLB
36. Drew Gray, LHP, 21, High-A
37. Eli Lovich, OF, 19, High school
38. Brett Bateman, OF, 22, Double-A
39. Zac Leigh, RHP, 27, Triple-A
40. Reginald Preciado, 3B, 21, Single-A
41. Caleb Kilian, RHP, 27, MLB
42. Derniche Valdez, SS/2B, 18, Rookie (ACL)
43. Angel Cepeda, 3B/SS, 19, Rookie (ACL)
44. Connor Noland, RHP, 25, Triple-A
45. Eriandys Ramon, 3B/SS, 22, Single-A
46. Nick Dean, RHP, 24, High-A
47. Alexis Hernandez, 2B/3B, 20, Single-A
48. Sam Armstrong, RHP, 24, Double-A
49. Joan Delgado, OF, 20, Rookie (ACL)
50. Robin Ortiz, OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)
Sanders could be a solid starter as he continues to develop. Franklin has solid power and speed, but at 25 he is pretty much a finished product and may appear in the majors sometime later this season. McGeary might work himself into a corner infielder bench type role. Melendez has solid tools and could be a utility player type in the majors with potential for a little more. Franklin has been on prospect lists since he was drafted in 2018 but hasn’t been able to really show what he can do because of injuries. It’s hard not to root for him to stay healthy and show what he can do. Workman has some pop and could be a backup infielder in the majors. Preciado had some solid tools when he first signed but the results haven’t been there yet. (@tonybps)
Adam Greene is a student UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. He currently writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League and UMass Athletics. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life and he's spent the last few years covering their farm system. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra
Greg covers the Toronto Blue Jays organization for Prospects1500. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, a long-suffering fan of both the Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For more than 15 years now a participant/commish in many dynasty baseball leagues, all with extremely deep minor league rosters. Follow on X @gregbracken07.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing by day. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Born in Arizona. Raised in the Midwest, and with lots of baseball. When I’m not writing about baseball or purchasing my next baseball card, I can be seen coasting down the highway to yet another travel baseball tournament with my wife and son. I love the Braves, bat flips and outfield assists.
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