When the Chicago Cubs made their World Series run in 2016, the roster was strongly supported by homegrown talent and players acquired via trade. Kris Bryant, Albert Almora, and Javier Baez from the system, and Anthony Rizzo, Jake Arrieta, and Miguel Montero as trade acquisitions.
Since the club’s 95-win season in 2018, it’s been tougher sledding, despite the Wild Card berth in the shortened 2020 season, cluminating in two years in the bottom half of the NL Central.
The Cubs have been active in free agency, signing Dansby Swanson, Jameson Taillon, Cody Bellinger, and Trey Mancini in attempt to get back to their winning way. If the farm system can contribute impact sooner or later, Wrigley Field may be the buzz in the division in no time.
Ages as of July 1, 2023
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 1 | 21 | Pete Crow-Armstrong | OF | 60 |
Crow-Armstrong, acquired from the New York Mets in the trade for Javier Baez two seasons ago, had a big 2022 and despite missing all but six games in 2021 is on the fast track to the majors behind plus-plus speed and defense.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 2 | 24 | Cade Horton | RHP | 55 |
Horto has touched 98 mph and his best secondary is a plus slider, giving him a high floor as a late-leverage reliever, but a real shot at a mid-rotation or better ceiling.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 3 | 20 | Kevin Alcantara | OF | 55 |
If Alcantara can continue to get to his power with satisfactory contact rates, the sky’s the limit, up to and including stardom.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 4 | 23 | Brennen Davis | OF | 50 |
Davis is a great athlete with power, speed, defense, and some hit tool risk that’s held him back in the upper minors.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 5 | 25 | Hayden Wesneski | RHP | 50 |
Wesneski has an above-average three-pitch arsenal that got him to the majors last season and should eventually keep him there in some role.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 8 | 19 | Cristian Hernandez | SS | 50 |
Hernandez grades out well athletically and across the board with projectable skills at the plate and in the field.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 7 | 22 | Porter Hodge | RHP | 45 |
Two plus pitches (fastball, slider) and a chance at two more (curveball, changeup)? You betcha.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 8 | 23 | Jordan Wicks | LHP | 45 |
A pitchability lefty with a plus-plus changeup and above-average command, Wicks could see the majors in 2023.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 9 | 23 | Ben Brown | RHP | 45 |
The 6-foot-6 Brown will sit in the mid-90s and follow with a plus curveball and average slider, throwing a lot of strikes in the process.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 10 | 23 | Alexander Canario | OF | 45 |
A compact swing with bat speed produces plus raw power, and if Canario can maintain acceptable strikeout rates and keep getting on base it’s a classic left- field profile.
[ninja_tables id=”19731″]
Rankings, OFPs by Joe Doyle.
Player notes by Jason A. Churchill.
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