This story is excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to receive it regularly in your inbox.
CHICAGO — One reason the Cubs believe they’re well-equipped for multiple seasons of contention is the fact that the minor league system is healthier than it has been in a long time.
The aggressive trades and accumulation of prospects via the MLB Draft and the international market in recent years, as well as organizational changes in player development strategy and operations, have given the Farm a facelift. In the latest MLB Pipeline rankings, the Cubs’ system ranked fourth overall in baseball.
Here’s a look at some storylines in the Cubs’ farm system last season:
3 players who came into the spotlight this year
OF Owen Caissie, No. 3 prospect, No. 64 overall: Not only did the 21-year-old Caissie deliver the best offensive season in the Cubs’ system, but Pipeline expert Jim Callis also declared the young outfielder the “best power prospect in the top 100” given his breakout performance in 1923. . Caissie led the way among qualified hitters in the Chicago system this year with a 144 wRC+, ranking fourth overall among all hitters at the Double-A level.
In 120 games at Double-A Tennessee, Caissie hit .289/.398/.519 with 22 home runs, 31 doubles, 84 RBIs and 76 walks. He struck out 164 times but made the most of his elite exit velocities. Acquired from San Diego by Yu Darvish in ’21, Caissie could come knocking on the majors’ door sometime in 2024.
RHP Cade Horton, No. 2 prospect, No. 29 overall: After being selected in the first round of the ’22 draft, Horton’s first professional season was nothing short of spectacular. In 21 starts, the 22-year-old right-hander had a 2.65 ERA with 117 strikeouts and 27 walks in 88 1/3 innings across Single-A, High-A and Double-A. In eight games (including two playoff starts) with Tennessee, Horton had a 1.22 ERA with 42 punchouts and 15 walks in 37 innings.
LHP Luke Little, No. 25 prospect: The 6-foot-8 Little (selected in the fourth round of the 2020 draft) made a successful move to the bullpen that fast-tracked him from High-A to the majors in 1923. In the minors, the left-hander had a 2.12 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings over three levels. When the Cubs were on the road, Little posted a 0.00 ERA with 12 strikeouts and four walks in 6 2/3 innings (seven appearances).
2 potential breakout players to keep an eye on in 2024
RHP Ben Brown, No. 5 prospect, No. 86 overall: This isn’t exactly a bold choice considering Brown was in the midst of a breakout season in 1923. But some second-half problems, coupled with a season-ending injury that cost the right player time, hampered and ultimately stalled what seemed like an inevitable promotion to the major leagues.
Therefore, the 24-year-old Brown — acquired in a deal with the Phillies in 2022 — will look to hit the reset button next year with the goal of staying healthy and making it to the big leagues. In 1923, he appeared in 26 games between Double-A and Triple-A. In his first 13 games, Brown had a 2.71 ERA with 93 strikeouts and 31 walks in 63 innings. In his next 13 games, he posted a 7.58 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 26 walks in 29 2/3 innings.
In 38 games between the Arizona Complex League (rookie level), High-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee, the 21-year-old Shaw hit .357/.400/.618 with eight home runs, nine doubles, four triples, 28 RBIs , 15 steals and 27 runs scored. This came after he hit .341 (1.142 OPS) in 62 games for Maryland, which led to the Cubs selecting him 13th overall.
1 big question for next season
Can the farm system provide the MLB bullpen with better relief options?
Chicago’s relief corps did get some help from the farm this season – particularly right guards Daniel Palencia and Little – but not to the extent expected. The arms at Triple-A and Double-A didn’t impact the Cubs as much as they needed to, especially as injuries took their toll at the major league level down the stretch. Beyond adding experienced options to the ’24 group, the Cubs will have to count on their system to fill the gaps or allow a few more pieces to become legitimate, trustworthy bullpen arms.