Welcome back to the Cubs Beat newsletter. Jordan Bastian has covered baseball for MLB.com since 2005, including the Cubs since the 2019 season. |
CHICAGO -- One of the success stories within the Cubs’ season in 2026 was the way Pedro Ramírez forced his way into the picture for the ballclub. It began with an impressive Spring Training both on the field and behind the scenes, and ended with the infielder playing a key role for the North Siders in a playoff chase. It was the latest example of how important it is -- beyond all the headline-grabbing trades and blockbuster signings -- for a team to develop players from within. Ramírez went from a standout in the Minors to a bench candidate to a player getting regular chances in the Cubs’ starting lineup. With that in mind, let’s run through some of the developments in the Cubs’ farm system from this last season: 3: Players who forced their way onto the radar in ‘26 Owen Ayers, C: Following the Minor League season, the Cubs had Ayers (MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 Cubs prospect and No. 88 on the Top 100 list) spend time with the MLB team to see how things worked behind the scenes. It was a clear indication that the 25-year-old catcher is very much on the radar for ‘27 for the North Siders. Ayers flew up the system in ‘26, appearing in 125 games across High-A South Bend, Double-A Knoxville and Triple-A Iowa. The switch-hitting catcher posted a .289/.403/.526 slash line with 25 homers, 29 doubles, 82 RBIs, 82 walks and 80 runs scored, while earning praise from the Cubs’ development staff about his defensive work as well. |
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Brooks Caple, RHP: The Cubs went heavy on pitching in their ‘26 Draft class due to the thin nature of that part of the farm system. This past season, the 24-year-old Caple (No. 9 on the Cubs’ Top 30 list) emerged as the best overall performer on the mound. If he keeps rising, the Majors may not be out of reach in ‘27. A ninth-round pick in the ‘24 Draft, Caple posted a 3.09 ERA with 108 strikeouts against 31 walks in 107 2/3 innings between High-A and Double-A. That included a 3.24 ERA in 17 games with Knoxville. The righty boasts a high-spin fastball that sits around 94 mph, but can touch 98, and has a bevy of secondary offerings (notably, a sweeping slider). Josiah Hartshorn, OF: The 19-year-old Hartshorn (No. 1/No. 35) was easily the Cubs’ player of the year down on the farm in ‘26. A sixth-round pick in the ‘25 Draft, the switch-hitting outfielder soared through Single-A Myrtle Beach, High-A and had a stint with Double-A before the end of the year. Hartshorn slashed .284/.407/.518 with 23 home runs, 26 doubles, five triples and 17 stolen bases in 125 games across the three levels. He piled up 112 RBIs, drew 91 walks and scored 90 runs along the way. The 2028 season might be more realistic for Hartshorn’s arrival to Chicago, but it’s maybe ‘27 should not be ruled out with how he cruised up the ladder this year. |
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2: Breakout candidates to watch in 2027 Ethan Conrad, OF: The Cubs’ first-round pick in ‘25, the 22-year-old Conrad (No. 3 on the Cubs’ Top 30) saw his professional debut delayed until late June due to a back issue. He then started off slow (.679 OPS through July) before turning a corner in August (.917 OPS). Conrad slashed .304/.381/.536 in 15 games in August, and he will definitely be a player to watch in Chicago’s system next season. Cade Townsend, RHP: The Cubs selected the 21-year-old Townsend with the 23rd overall pick in the ‘26 Draft. Rather than jumping right into games, the righty spent time with the team’s development staff in Arizona to work on his delivery and repertoire. As the Cubs look to improve their pitching development, Townsend will very much be in the spotlight for the organization when he makes his pro debut next year. 1: Big question for ‘27 Will Jaxon Wiggins bounce back from his tough year? There were lofty expectations for the 25-year-old Wiggins (No. 6 on the Cubs’ Top 30) going into this past season after his breakout showing (2.19 ERA) in 2025. Injury issues cost Wiggins much of his campaign and the righty struggled with command when he returned in July. He posted a 7.83 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 31 walks in 33 1/3 innings overall for Triple-A Iowa, ending the year as a reliever. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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• Seiya Suzuki poised for free agency after 5 years with Cubs. Read more >> • 5 Q’s facing the Cubs in this important offseason. Read more >> • Juan Cabada is 2nd-youngest prospect in Fall League. Read more >> • Each team’s best prospects from the ‘26 season. Read more >> |
RIZZO, ARRIETA GO THE DISTANCE |
They say that a baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint. Well, a pair of World Series winners for the Cubs lived out that old adage this past Sunday. Ten years after helping the Cubs end their 108-year championship drought, Anthony Rizzo and Jake Arrieta completed the Chicago Marathon. “Dude, the marathon was a grind,” Rizzo said on the Ross and Rizzo Unfiltered podcast. “It was so much fun for how much pain you put yourself through. I’m not kidding, I thought I was in the depths of hell at one point. I didn’t think I was going to make it. You’ve just got to dig deep. ... It’s such an emotional day, bro. I don’t know how I did it.” Rizzo and Arrieta both raised money for the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation (focused on helping pediatric cancer patients and their families) as part of running the 26.2-mile course. Rizzo finished in five hours, 34 minutes and 54 seconds, while Arrieta crossed the finish line in four hours, 30 minutes and 10 seconds. Congrats to both of them, along with all the finishers. A special shoutout to Maya from Marquee Sports Network, Chef Tee from Cozy Noodles in Wrigleyville and his good friend, Golf, for running the race! I wish I could’ve been out there with you all. I’m currently training to run the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (my 12th marathon or ultra) next month. |
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