The Chicago Cubs have rebuilt their farm system through trades throughout the past few seasons, which has paid off. While still trying to stay competitive in the NL Central, the Cubs have also been able to make trades to help bring in top-end prospects to their farm system.
Top Prospects in the Chicago Cubs Farm System
OF Pete Crow-Armstrong
Originally a first-round pick by the New York Mets in 2020, Crow-Armstrong was acquired in the 2021 Javier Baez trade. A left-handed hitter, he has the power in his bat to hit 20 home potentially runs a season. He is also a disciplined hitter who can drive the ball to all parts of the field.
The one essential improvement needed in his game is being more disciplined at the plate. So far in the 2023 season, he’s hit 18 home runs but also struck out 102 times.
But his defense is the most significant asset in his game that has led him to be the top prospect in the Cubs farm system. This led to him being viewed as the best defensive prospect in the MLB in 2021. His elite defense includes his above-average arm, the ability to track balls that hit him, and his speed in center field.
His speed has also translated to the base paths, where he has stolen 32 total bases. Crow-Armstrong should be viewed as a candidate to be a September call-up for the Cubs when the time comes. He has already been able to move up to Triple-A this season.
RHP Cade Horton
The right-handed pitching Horton was a Cubs first-round pick in 2022 after a dominant college postseason with Oklahoma. In the postseason, Horton put up an impressive stat line of 13.3 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts and only gave up four runs on nine hits. This included a College World Series record 13 strikeouts in a loss against Ole Miss. This all led to Horton being drafted seventh overall by Chicago in the draft.
His above-average fastball and slider have helped Horton become the top arm in the Cubs farm system. His fastball sits between 94-96 miles per hour, while his slider comes at hitters in the mid-80s. Along with these two pitches, he also has a low 80s curve and changeup that sits in the 80s. Both pitchers are viewed as works in progress and should get better with more repetition.
So far in the 2023 season, he has thrown just over 74 innings and struck out 101 batters while holding them to a .196 batting average.
OF Owen Caissie
Another prospect was acquired via trade, this time in the Yu Darvish trade with San Diego. Originally a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, the left-handed hitting Caissie’s main asset is his raw power, hitting 21 home runs in 2023. This has helped make him one of Chicago’s top prospects in their farm system. He also possesses good bat speed.
But one of the downfalls for Caissie at the plate is his patience, which needs to be improved upon. In 100 games in 2023, he has struck out 143 times.
On the defensive side, he must also improve his reads and routes to balls in the outfield. He does have an average arm, though, that will suit him better off in a corner outfield spot.
OF Kevin Alcantara
Alcantara was originally a 2018 international signing by the New York Yankees. He was then traded to the Cubs in the Anthony Rizzo trade in 2021. The biggest asset that makes him one of the Cubs’ top farm system prospects is his raw power. The bat speed he possesses helps with this power for the lefty.
So far in the 2023 season, Alcantara has put up nine home runs with a .260 batting average. He has been able to pull the ball, but he also needs to work on his patience at the plate. In 81 games this season, he has struck out 85 times.
Defensively, he must work on his reads and routes in the outfield. His average arm leads many to believe he will eventually shift to a corner outfield spot.
RHP Ben Brown
Another acquired prospect was added to the Cubs’ farm system, this time from Philadelphia in 2022. Brown’s professional career ended with Tommy John surgery. When healthy, though, he possesses two above-average pitches.
He throws a 94-96 miles per hour fastball and a mid-80s curveball that can keep hitters off balance. He mixes in a slider that sits at 91 miles per hour but needs improvement due to the inconsistency of the pitch.
So far in 2023, Brown has 85 innings pitched, with 120 strikeouts and 46 walks and holding batters to a .212 batting average.
Overall, three of the Cub’s top farm system prospects being acquired through trades and still being able to compete at a high level bodes quite well for the organization’s future.
Main Photo Credits: Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
