Format = Place Participant | Age on 4/1/2025 | Highest Degree Performed | Estimated Time of Arrival
1. 3B Matt Shaw | 23 | AAA | 2025
He’s nonetheless listed at third base as a result of that’s what he performed most this yr, however Shaw might be ticketed for the outfield with Isaac Paredes on the sizzling nook beneath staff management by 2027. No cause he can’t contribute some infield innings right here and there, which may be a greater match for his skillset anyway. In 121 video games throughout two ranges this yr, Shaw slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 residence runs and 31 stolen bases regardless of a reasonably gradual begin to the season. The thirteenth general choose in 2023, he improved all through the season, performed higher in AAA than AA and earned a shot to make the opening day roster however would possibly get caught within the wash of Chicago’s low season machinations. Most likely ought to’ve been a part of the staff this yr, too.
2. RHP Porter Hodge | 24 | MLB | 2024
Hodge is an odd match right here as an incumbent nearer who has exhausted prospect eligibility by MLB requirements however stays a couple of innings shy of breaking the 50 inning threshold utilized in lots of dynasty leagues and for this checklist. His statcast web page is a deep purple, particularly his 97th percentile extension and top-of-the grid xBA. Simply in all places you look, yow will discover help that his WHIP of 0.88 might be replicated transferring ahead. He was an efficient rookie nearer even with an 11.6 % stroll charge, so there would possibly even be just a little upside if he can repeat his supply higher transferring ahead. Additionally, I notice he’s ranked too excessive right here for lots of people, however take into consideration what you’d commerce for a younger, dominant nearer if you happen to wanted one. That’s how he stored transferring up for me. I’d ship Ballesteros for him in a minute, however I don’t even suppose he’d price that a lot.
3. OF Kevin Alcantara | 22 | MLB | 2024
Alcantara went 0 for his first 29 plate appearances after which slashed .296/.369/.456 with 14 homers and 14 steals in 104 video games throughout two ranges after that, incomes the 6’6” 188 pounder a three-game shot of espresso at season’s finish. He’s been younger for his degree each step of the best way and needs to be a part of the Opening Day outfield image however would possibly wind up got rid of the roster bubble.
4. C Moises Ballesteros | 21 | AAA | 2025
A left-handed hitter listed at 5’7” 215 lbs, Ballesteros finds the barrel all through the zone with obvious ease and laces line drives the opposite approach like he was born to do it. His bat has outpaced his defensive improvement, so whilst he slashed .289/.354/.471 with 19 residence runs and the plus plate expertise he’s all the time proven in opposition to a lot older rivals, Ballesteros might need to make a leap behind the plate or wait whereas the Cubs play a lot lesser hitters at his place.
5. OF Owen Caissie | 22 | AAA | 2025
Mighty Caissie checks in at 6’3” 190 lbs with double-plus energy from the left aspect as a hitter. Within the discipline, he’s a right-handed throwing nook outfielder who needs to be wonderful in proper or left. Caissie struggled to make contact for little stretches of the season however obtained sizzling late within the season, slashing .341/.423/.637 with six residence runs and two steals over his final 23 video games. His 28.4 % strikeout charge in 127 Triple-A video games was an enchancment on the 31.1 % he posted in 120 Double-A video games final yr and supplies some encouragement that he would possibly shock on that entrance given sufficient time to adapt. He additionally stole 11 bases this yr in 13 makes an attempt after getting caught 9 occasions in 16 makes an attempt final yr.
6. 3B Cam Smith | 22 | AA | 2025
The 14th general choose on this summer season’s draft, Smith skipped blissfully by the A-levels in simply 27 video games, blasting six residence runs in 15 Low-A video games and slashing .333/.421/.500 in 12 Excessive-A video games earlier than rounding out the season with 5 video games with Double-A Tennessee. A robust right-handed bat at 6’3” 224 lbs, Smith provides the membership one other ready-soon third-base prospect who will most likely should play some place else within the majors, however that’s not a giant deal as long as the membership begins sorting its higher degree depth quickly.
7. RHP Cade Horton | 23 | AAA | 2024
Horton was getting nice outcomes early within the season at Double-A, posting a 1.10 ERA by 4 begins, however his velocity had backed up a bit, and the wheels got here off in Triple-A. His ERA landed at 7.50 by 5 begins overlaying 18 innings. He allowed 4 residence runs and a 1.56 WHIP earlier than heading to the injured checklist with a proper lat pressure, an damage he couldn’t shake earlier than season’s finish. It’s arduous to rank him proper now as a result of he was among the many greatest pitching prospects within the sport earlier than the rate decreased, and he may open 2025 proper again at that degree and push for an early season rotation spot.
8. 2B James Triantos | 22 | AAA | 2025
It’s simple to love the contact-rich Triantos, who struck out simply 9.7 % of the time in 89 Double-A video games whereas slashing .300/.345/.437 with seven residence runs and 38 stolen bases. It’s not as simple to see how he’ll combine in with this membership. A second-round choose in 2021, Triantos is a right-handed hitter at 5’11” 195 lbs who can play second or third however isn’t nice at both spot. Although it appears to be like at the moment like he’s blocked about seven alternative ways, factor can change in a rush every time the staff begins sorting.
9. SS Jefferson Rojas | 19 | A+ | 2027
Early within the yr, it appeared like Rojas would possibly coast into consensus prime 25 standing. On his nineteenth birthday (April 25), Rojas was slashing .338/.378/.485 with a 16.2 % strikeout charge and a 146 wRC+ by 16 Excessive-A video games in opposition to a lot older gamers. The remainder of the season (80 video games), he slashed .224/.296/.303 with a 75 wRC+. At 5’11” 150 lbs with energy to all fields and plus contact expertise, he’s too younger to generate purple flags with a tough few months, however I’ll begin getting nervous if he doesn’t hit higher in 2025.
10. SS Fernando Cruz | 18 | DSL | 2029
Cruz signed for $4 million in January and made his debut throughout the Dominican Summer time League, slashing .215/.326/.329 with two residence runs and 11 stolen bases in 25 video games. Not the best statistical debut, however he flashed the plus defensive expertise that helped make him such a heralded prospect and appeared stronger than his listed dimension of 5’10” 160 lbs would counsel at a look.
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