Inside The Cubs

Each of the Top Five Cubs Prospects Could Feature in MLB By Season's End

Could the Chicago Cubs really promote all five of their top prospects?
Dylan Sanders|
Mar 31, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago Cubs second base Matt Shaw (6) during the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park.
Mar 31, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago Cubs second base Matt Shaw (6) during the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

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Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have surprisingly been one of the best teams in baseball this season and could only be getting better with a handful of prospects looking ready for their time in the show.

All five of the players sitting atop the MLB pipeline rankings could realistically be in the Majors by the end of the year, one of them just got the call. Here is how they are each performing right now:

No. 1 - 3B Matt Shaw

The struggles of Shaw both in the slow start to his MLB career and subsequent inconsistencies at the minor league level this year have been well documented.

The good news is that the 23-year-old is starting to turn things around at the plate for Triple-A Iowa. Over his last 10 games, he has posted a .333/.435/.487 slash line.

Third base has remained one of the few weaknesses of this lineup to this point and could use him at some point, if they feel comfortable about his development.

No. 2 - RHP Cade Horton

Horton is getting the call up to the Majors after his tremendous start to 2024. He had a 1.24 ERA through six starts with a 0.862 WHIP and 10.2 K/9.

The 23-year-old looks like he has ace potential if he can stay healthy in the Majors. He has been nearly hittable, with his control being is only issue.

No. 3 - OF Owen Caissie

Caissie has continued to flash more power than a hit tool, but that could have a place in the Chicago lineup.

The 22-year-old is on pace for 35 home runs over a full Major League season at the Triple-A level. He has a full .230/.343/.529 slash line.

He has an awkward fit in the lineup as it stands right now, but could act as a fourth outfielder down the stretch or step up if there is an injury.

No. 4 - C/1B Moises Ballesteros

Ballesteros is another player with a Major League-ready bat, but no easy spot in the lineup right now.

He has a .381/.439/.559 slash line with four home runs in his first 30 games this year. It's a smaller ample size, but he looks to have taken things up another level.

Carson Kelly has been amazing and Miguel Amaya has looked good as a backup, but Ballesteros is too talented to keep away for much longer.

No. 5 - UTIL James Triantos

Triantos is the least likely call-up in the top five, but he would also make sense as someone that could get selected in September.

He would at least bring some dynamic base running with utility potential in the field. He splits time between second base and center field right now.

The speedster is hitting just .221/.264/.265 right now, but has swiped six bags. His bat hasn't been an issue in the past, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him turn things back around.

Published
Dylan Sanders
DYLAN SANDERS

Dylan Sanders graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree from the Manship School of Mass Communication in 2023. He was born in raised in Baton Rouge, LA but has also lived in Buffalo, NY. Though he is a recent graduate, he has been writing about sports since he was in high school, covering different sports from baseball to football. While in college, he wrote for the school paper The Reveille and for 247Sports. He was able cover championships in football, baseball and women's basketball during his time at LSU. He has also spent a few years covering the NFL draft and every day activities of the New Orleans Saints. He is a Senior Writer at Inside the Marlins and will also be found across Sports Illustrated's baseball sites as a contributing writer. You can follow him on Twitter or Instagram @dillysanders

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