Don’t look now, but the Chicago Cubs just took three out of four games against the St. Louis Cardinals. While chances remain slim to make the playoffs, the door is still cracked. They now sit 8.5 games out of first place in the division and 6.0 games out of the final Wild Card spot with 48 games to go.
The Cubs were “shoppers” at the trade deadline. They flipped a couple of bullpen arms and made a swap at third base. They were not necessarily buyers but did not sell off all their chances in 2024. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer seemingly has one foot in and one foot out but is still preparing for what’s to come in 2025 and beyond.
For years, We have heard about the Cubs’ talent being groomed on their farm. Draft picks and trade returns have helped build up what is currently one of the best minor-league systems in baseball. This youth movement has started taking the field at Wrigley, with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ben Brown (currently injured) making noise on the MLB roster this season. More top players in their system are continuing their ascension.
The Cubs announced on Sunday they would be moving three of their top prospects up to the next level of play. Infielder Matt Shaw (Cubs’ #2 prospect), infielder James Triantos (#3), and outfielder Kevin Alcántara (#6) will all be promoted to AAA Iowa to begin the week. This means all of the Cubs’ top-six prospects will be together on the same roster in Iowa.
Just last year, the Cubs drafted Matt Shaw with the thirteenth overall pick. Since then, Shaw has been making quick work being promoted through the system because of his stellar play. In 84 games with AA Tennessee, Shaw has an OPS of .841 with 14 home runs. Shaw is someone the Cubs have in their plans as an infielder who can provide above-average defense with plenty of offensive power to complement.
James Triantos was a second-round draft pick by the Cubs in 2021. They convinced Triantos to come to them rather than enroll at North Carolina. Some defensive struggles at third base and a torn meniscus slowed his journey. However, he bounced back strong when he was awarded the Arizona Fall League’s Offensive Player of the Year. Triantos’ contact-first approach has him batting .300 this season with AA Tennessee.
Kevin Alcántara was part of the return in the 2021 trade that sent Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees. At just 22 years old, Alcántara’s 6’6 frame is a weapon in the outfield, giving him plenty of range to make plays. He will be looking to display his improved power and plate discipline at the next level with AAA Iowa.
As the hype was built over the years with the surplus of premium talent making its way through the Cubs’ farm system, Jed Hoyer was continually put under pressure. He was asked if some positions in Chicago would be locked by current players and keep prospects from advancing further. Hoyer was always able to tackle that question indirectly because only a couple of players were considered “ready.” Well, that question will have to be answered sooner rather than later.
The three prospects above now join starting pitcher Cade Horton, outfielder Owen Caissie, and catcher Moises Ballesteros on a loaded roster in Iowa. These six top the list of prospects in the Cubs’ system. They’re also on the cusp of causing the front office to make some tough decisions. There’s always room for starting pitching, but there are only eight position players behind them on a daily basis.
The Cubs just traded for Isaac Parades, whom Hoyer expects to be the third baseman for “a long time,” with years of team control still to come. Dansby Swanson is signed to a long, lucrative contract, and Nico Hoerner is a fan favorite. Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki have no-trade clauses attached to their long-term deals. Cody Bellinger is almost certainly going to opt-in to his contract for 2025.
The next phase of this evolution will be when the MLB rosters expand in September. The Cubs will decide which prospects could play in Chicago for the remainder of the season. That will set up a busy winter with plenty of franchise-altering decisions.
