Ivy League Cubs

By: Matt Rhodes

The Cubs undoubtedly have one of the best farm systems in all of baseball. Here are my top 8 Cubs prospects.

1 IF Matt Shaw (Age:22) 

Matt Shaw was selected by the Cubs in the first round of the 2023 draft and has done nothing but hit in the minor leagues. Shaw slashed .279/.373/.468 and was good for a 147 wRC+ in AA this season before earning  a promotion to AAA recently. Shaw is the complete package at the plate, he boasted a 12.1 BB% in AA this season as well. While there are some questions about where Shaw will fit defensively, his bat certainly plays. 

2 OF Owen Caissie (Age:22) 

The Cubs acquired Owen Caissie in the Yu Darvish trade back in 2020 and he has blossomed into a consensus Top 100 Prospect. Caissie’s raw power is second to none in the Cubs System as he has eclipsed exit velocity’s over 115 MPH. Caissie is one of those prospects that you can really dream on. The number one knock on Caissie’s profile is his above average strikeout rates that have sat between 27 and 31% over the last two seasons. 

3 C Moises Ballesteros (Age:20) 

Moises Ballesteros has emerged onto the scene the last couple years as a prospect who does nothing but mash. There are a series of concerns about Ballesteros’s ability to play the catcher position at the major league level, but he seems to be getting better behind the dish. 

4 3B Cam Smith (Age:21) 

Cam Smith is the Cubs 2024 first round draft pick and has absolutely blown away everyone in his first month in the minors. Across A and A+ Smith has slashed .357/.459/.714 with 6 homers and 17 RBI in 21 games. Smith should have the ability to stick at third base or have some versatility in the field. The sky is the ceiling for the 21 year old. 

5 P Cade Horton (Age:23) 

Cade Horton was the Cubs first round selection in the 2022 draft. Many fans were shocked by the Cubs picking Horton in that spot but he has blown away expectations. Horton worked his way all the way up to AAA before injuring himself earlier this season. The injury is part of the reason I have him ranked lower than most publications. 

6 OF Kevin Alcantara (Age:22) 

Kevin Alcantara may be the most interesting prospect in this deep farm system. Alcantara has the physical tools and traits to be a future 30 Home Run bat with premium defense in centerfield. Alcantara has boasted a .271/.345/.412 slash line this season across AA and AAA. The knock on Alcantara has been the ability to make consistent quality contact. However, don’t be surprised if Alcantara blossoms into the best player on this list. 

7 IF James Triantos (Age:21) 

James Triantos was selected by the Cubs in the second round of the 2021 draft out of high school. Triantos is considered to be a high floor prospect as he has a K rate this season at just 11.1%. The power upside is certainly limited for the infielder but his ability to make contact at an incredible rate will surely get him to the majors. Triantos profiles as a second or third baseman but he has the ability to play the outfield as well. 

8 IF Jefferson Rojas (Age:19)

Jefferson Rojas recieved all kinds of hype after his 2023 season in Myrtle Beach where he posted a .749 OPS and 115 wRC+ at just 18 years old. Things have been more difficult for Rojas this year in A+ but he has managed to lower his K rate to 15.3% which is very impressive for his age. The power is still yet to come for the 19 year old but the abilities to hit are very much there.

Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune