Farm strong: Cubs loaded with promising prospects
The Cubs have money to spend.
You might not know it based on an off-season that has thus far featured only one costly addition. That came on Jan. 11, when then the Cubs signed Shota Imanaga to a four-year, $53 million contract.
The left-handed starting pitcher from Japan could max out the deal at $80 million over five years.
As spring training opens Wednesday in Mesa, Ariz., the Cubs are sitting eighth in MLB with a $173 million payroll.
That should expand shortly when they sign Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman or another needed bat.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer appreciates heading a franchise that can spend big-market money, but he understands the importance of having a strong minor-league system.
“I want to win this year and you want to focus on 2024,” Hoyer said. “But you also have to keep an eye on the future. I think that's the job, balancing that and trying to run an organization that can be sustainable.”
The Cubs' farm system is the strongest it's been in years, thanks to some astute drafting and a solid haul of young talent in trades for many of the key veterans that helped deliver the 2016 World Series trophy.
According to Baseball America, the Cubs have the fourth best minor-league system in baseball, behind the No. 1 Orioles, Brewers and Rangers.
Baseball America also has five Cubs prospects in its Top 100:
Pete Crow-Armstrong (No. 18)
Acquired from the Mets in the July 2021 Javier Baez trade, Crow-Armstrong debuted with the Cubs last season and struggled at the plate (0-for-14) in a limited look.
The 21-year-old outfielder fared much better in 107 combined games with Class AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa, hitting .283/.365/.511 with 20 home runs and 82 RBI while playing Gold Glove caliber defense.
“The son of two Hollywood actors, Crow-Armstrong is one of the best defensive center fielders to come through the minors in years with graceful actions, elite instincts and the closing speed to run down any ball,” Baseball America wrote. “He makes plenty of contact at the plate from the left side and projects to be an anchor of the Cubs roster as a Gold Glove-winning, leadoff-hitting center fielder.”
Cade Horton (24)
The starting rotation looks to be the strength as the Cubs head into spring training.
Having a young arm like Horton waiting in the wings is a luxury.
Pitching at three levels (low Class A Myrtle Beach, high A South Bend, Tennessee) last season, the 22-year-old righty was 4-4 with a 2.65 ERA and he struck out 117 in 88.1 innings.
“Horton bounced back from Tommy John surgery to carry Oklahoma to the College World Series finals in 2022 and was drafted seventh overall by the Cubs,” Baseball America wrote. “He raced to Double-A in his pro debut and projects to be a frontline starter with a mid-90s fastball, devastating slider and rapidly improving curveball and changeup.”
Matt Shaw (31)
The Cubs' first-round draft pick (No. 13 overall) out of Maryland last year, Shaw tore it up with the ACL Cubs, South Bend and Tennessee, slashing .357/.400/.618 with 8 homers and 28 RBI in 38 games.
Primarily a shortstop, he can also play second base and third.
“Shaw set Maryland’s all-time career home run record and was named Big Ten Player of the Year in 2023,” Baseball America wrote. “He quickly raced to Double-A Tennessee after being drafted and is already nearing his major-league debut. He’s a polished hitter who makes consistent hard contact and has the maturity and work ethic to get the most from his natural ability.”
Michael Busch (43)
Acquired from the Dodgers in a Jan. 11 trade that sent minor-league pitcher Jackson Ferris to Los Angeles, Busch is a polished prospect and he could break training camp on the Cubs' 26-man roster.
“Obviously, in the minor leagues, he’s performed incredibly well,” Hoyer said. “He’s certainly going to play, there’s no question. It’s up to (manager) Craig (Counsell) where, but I think first base is obviously a natural spot for him. He’s played there a lot.”
Owen Caissie (47)
Acquired in the December 2020 trade that sent Yu Darvish to the Padres, Caissie is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound corner outfielder with emerging power.
In 120 games for Tennessee last year, he hit .289/.399/.519 with 22 home runs and 84 RBI.
“The big Canadian has enormous power and is capable of launching towering home runs at any time,” Baseball America wrote. “He is still working to cut down on the holes his long levers create in his swing, but he is rapidly progressing and has a chance to be a middle-of-the-order masher.”