February is there and the spring training is fast approaching, which can only mean one thing around these parts: it is time to classify the prospects for a minor league. Each team through the majors sells hope for their fans: some sell it more immediate, in the form of active issues full of free agent signatures and commercial acquisitions. Others, on the other hand, sell him in the character of prospects who could make the difference in the coming years.
CBS Sports continues to examine the three main prospects of each organization. Our definition of “prospect” is simple: does this player have a recruit eligibility that remains for the 2025 season? If so, they are a perspective; Otherwise, that’s probably why your favorite young player is absent from the procedure.
As always, these lists are formed as a result of conversations with scouts, analysts, players’ development specialists and other industry talent assessors. There is a good amount of first -hand evaluation, statistical analysis and also mixed historical research. In addition, a bunch of personal biases – we all have certain features and profiles that we prefer to others, there is no sense to claim the opposite.
Keep in mind that there is not a single good answer with this kind of thing. In addition, these are only our opinions, which means that they have no real impact on the future. We have already published our ranking of the 25 best prospects in all minors.
With all this away, let’s classify the first three prospects of the Chicago Cubs system.
The short hook: Field player greater than bat with pop
Shaw was able to end up on the opening day list after a passage of 35 games in Triple-A who saw him produced a .929 Ops. (Later, during the first12 tournament, he equaled the record for a single team from Ken Griffey Jr. path. This feeling for a barrel helps to obscure that he has an appetite for high fast balls that can Caden him. . Mlb And: Spring 2025
2. Ballesteros months, c
The short hook: Promising stick, but can it catch?
On paper, Ballesteros has a huge advantage. He divided his 20-year season between Double- and Triple-A, striking .289 / .354 / .471 and launching 19 circuits on the left side. He has a good idea of ​​the area and contact in the same way, allowing him to mainly maintain his withdrawal rates of less than 20% despite several years less than his average opponent. The real questions about the Ballesteros game are on the defensive. He does not yet note like a good editor, and he will never have a strong arm. The cubs seem to be covered their bets on its chances of sticking behind the plate. Not only did they give Ballesteros looks at the first goal, but they inked the veteran Carson Kelly on a two -year pact to associate with Miguel Amaya at the level of the big leagues. Ballesteros could arrive at any time of the 2025 season; It should be seen if he will intend to be used as a receiver most of the time. Mlb And: Summer 2025
The short hook: Enticing force, disturbing swing and missing
Caissie has long intrigued assessors with its ability to establish difficult contact. More than 42% of its balls in play last season were timed on 95 MPH, and it has twice cleared the threshold of 115 MPH. (For reference, less than 30 qualified MLB strikers even did it once in 2024.), namely, its rate of 28.4% K last season represented a new career record. Cashie remains subject to extend the area, and the launchers can have it bypassing both in the area and on the secondary land. His combination of pure advantage and youth (he will not celebrate his 22nd birthday until after the day of independence) makes him the trouble to be monitored, because all the gains could transform it into force in the middle of the order . MLB and: Summer 2025
