Former Chicago Cubs Top Prospect Signs Deal With Crosstown Chicago White Sox

It's going to be a battle for the Chicago Cubs to make the playoffs this season as the NL Central looks extremely formidable to start the year with every team either at .500 or better entering Saturday's action.

This is surprising based on many analysts considered the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates longshots to win the division prior to the season starting.

Now, those two are at the top of the standings.

Once the Cubs get reinforcements back in their starting rotation, that should go a long way in helping them compete for the NL Central title and a playoff spot.

In the midst of Chicago having pitching issues to their starting unit and bullpen, one of their former top prospects has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox according to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors.

Cory Abbott was a second round draft pick by the Cubs in 2017 and was ranked inside their Top 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline every season from 2018-21, reaching as high as No. 9.

He debuted with Chicago in 2021 and bounced between the MLB and their Triple-A affiliate while appearing in six Major League games during that time. He gave up 11 earned runs over 12 1/3 innings before getting sent down for an extended period. The right-hander started one game in October, finishing the year with a 6.75 ERA.

The Cubs traded him to the Washington Nationals in 2022 for cash considerations, ending his time with the organization.

Since being dealt, Abbot has appeared in 38 games with an ERA of 5.87.

He'll now look to continue his career with the White Sox after being released by the Seattle Mariners earlier this month.