Top 10 Chicago Cubs Prospects and an additional 5 favorites (As of 5/17/23)

Before we start, I will note that I am excluding any player who has MLB experience from this list, so no Matt Mervis or Hayden Wesneski.

1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, L/L

PCA is one of the best prospects in the sport along with being the best prospect in the Cubs' system. He changed his swing before 2022 and has unlocked power that has turned his potential into a multi-time all star. The best tool here is the fielding, as he will be a gold glover as soon as he gets to roam centerfield everyday. Pete has been doing a great job in AA so far this year, a notoriously tough level to hit due to sticky stuff being allowed for pitchers. The only problem is that he doesn't walk at all. Either way, the improved power to go along with elite speed translating into elite fielding makes him the best player in the system.

2. Kevin Alcantara, OF, R/R

There is simply no one like "The Jaguar" in the system. 6 foot 6 with elite athleticism and tools is something you cannot find easily. If everything connects, he will be a superstar and without a doubt the best player on this list. The concern right now is he is only in high A ball and has not been great so far with an 82 WRC+, but only with about 125 plate appearances this year. I am still betting on the potential and taking the chance his potential power tool will outweigh his deficiencies.

3. Ben Brown, SP, R

Man, how good has Brown been so far? The 23 year old has already gotten the call up from AA to AAA this year, and has looked good in his brief stint there so far. The tall righty features an electric fastball to go along with some really good off-speed. If the Cubs get going here, he could be in the big league bullpen in September. He could potentially be a front of the rotation guy and could be the best of a deep bunch in the Cubs' system.

4. Jordan Wicks, SP, L

Wicks, the Cubs' first round pick in the 2021 class, was the top lefty with the top changeup in his class and has backed that up so far in his minor league career. He will probably never be a dominant starter, but he is about as safe as a bet as I have seen to be a solid starting pitcher. His low 90s fastball has some deception, and the Cubs have helped him develop a form of the sweeping slider that they love that pairs well with his plus plus changeup and his curveball. Currently is doing great in AA so it would make sense for him to be in the bigs some time in 2024.

5. Cristian Hernandez, SS, R/R

A former top international signing, Hernandez is a smooth and athletic shortstop with a beautiful swing. He is doing alright in A ball right now, but he is super young at only 19 years old. We have plenty of time to watch him really develop into a great player, and if it clicks, he will be an all-star. The big concern right now is the K-rate for him. Right now it is 34.5% after being around 30% last year. That needs to improve but otherwise, I am very excited for him hopefully in a few years.

6. Cade Horton, SP, R

Cubs' top pick from last draft has already risen to high A ball this year. With his lack of production in college, it needs to be seen he can hold up for most of a full year. Either way, he is another potential top of the line pitcher.

7. Jackson Ferris, SP, L

Another top pick from last year, Ferris is only 19 and looks to be handling A ball well. He just needs to work on making sure his motion is more repeatable while just developing and filling out his frame. Another guy with top of the line rotation potential.

8. Owen Caissie, OF, L/R

The Canadian Caissie has big time potential power that he is scratching the surface of. He is a solid runner and outfielder with his biggest issue being his K rate. He is tearing up AA right now with a 154 WRC+ but currently has an absurd 40% K rate while doing it. Needs to cut that down in order to get his shot in the bigs, but he could be a 30 home run guy if he taps into the power.

9. DJ Herz, SP, L

Herz is starting to show the flashes of being a great pitcher. He is currently showing improvements in AA after getting lit up there last year. I feel like he is easily one of if not the biggest wild card in the Cubs' system.

10. Brennen Davis, OF, R/R

I think Davis' drop has more to do with how good the Cubs' system has got the last two or so years and less with Davis' struggles. But man, is he struggling as of late. The injury bug has obviously been killing him, but he is struggling big time in AAA right now, hitting 200 and having a 64 WRC+. But, there is reason to believe he is getting a little unlucky, with his BABIP being very low at the moment. For me, getting anything out of him at a big league level would be a huge plus, and getting him back to Prospect Game MVP would pay huge dividends for the Cubs' future, allowing them to do a ton of different things in terms of roster construction.

5 of my additional favorites from the group.

Alexander Canario, OF, R/R, AAA

James Triantos, 3B, R/R, A+

BJ Murray, 1B/3B, S/R, AA

Jake Slaughter, UT, R/R, AAA

Kevin Made, SS, R/R, A+