2025 Cubs Minor League Preview: Ranking the Cubs' MiLB Teams

[Jason Ross]

With limited amount of time, and many options, trying to figure out how to spend the limited time we have to watch baseball can be difficult. The Chicago Cubs won't play every evening, and if you have a subscription to MiLB.TV, you'll undoubtedly turn to watching some of the kids here or there. Where should you spend your limited time this season? Don't worry, I've got you covered.

Image courtesy of Tennessee Smokies

Baseball season is literally right around the corner, and if you've been focused mostly on the Chicago Cubs' 26-man roster, their roster cuts, and who is thriving early on, I wouldn't blame you — this is arguably the most exciting Cubs team since 2018. With that said, the Cubs will have a pretty exciting minor league system in 2025 (as they've had over the last few years) and one that is worth monitoring as the season goes along. There is a lot of talent close to "the Show", but also some intriguing prospects who are bubbling just below the surface. Over the next few days here at NSBB, we're going to take a look at some of the players who might break out, players who you might see in Chicago in 2025, and where, on those day-offs for the big league squad, you should spend your time paying attention to.

I have already taken a look a few prospects who have the potential to breakout, so make sure you don't miss out on who I think could have big seasons in 2025. There are also a few prospects in there who might be a little under the radar who could make an impact.

In this next portion of my 2025 Cubs MiLB preview, I'll take a look at which teams in the Cubs' system demand your viewing time and which teams you can pass on. And in honor of the Cubs' new alternate uniforms, I have gone with a "musically themed" ranking system this year.

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The Eras Tour - A Can't Miss Experience : Iowa Cubs (Triple-A)
Taylor Swift is undoubtedly the Queen of the Pop for many at this point in time. It doesn't matter where she goes, she sells out. If there's a show you want to see, it's her Era's Tour... and the Iowa Cubs are the can't-miss MiLB team currently in their own right. I don't mean to sound Cubs-centric there, it's just that the Cubs' have a pretty good minor league system to begin with, and much of that talent is concentrated within a single team.

While other teams have as much, if not more, talent through their ranks, these prospects will be spread out over the course of a few teams whereas the Cubs will see top-100 talents such as Owen Caissie, Cade Horton, James Triantos, Kevin Alcantara and Moises Ballesteros all play together on the same roster — many games will feature all five. This is an easy group of kids to turn in to watch without having to flip around too much. 

While the I-Cubs will feature lots of industry-darlings, they'll have a host of fun "next up" guys as well, much like Ms. Swift has a strong supporting cast in Jack Antonoff, a Grammy award winning producer and lead member of the band Bleachers. I recently discussed three prospects; relievers Riley Martin and Frankie Scalzo Jr, as well as infielder/outfielder Jonathon Long, who could all make their MLB debuts in 2025. All three will begin in Iowa.

These aren't the only names to keep tabs on, however. Pitchers such as Caleb Killian, Jack Neeley and Brandon Birdsell will all play important roles and could see time in Chicago and will share a staff with Luke Little, Daniel Palencia and Eli Morgan (to start). Hitters such as Christian Franklin could also see time in Chicago. This is just a super deep roster and they should be tons of fun. Seriously, don't miss this team.

One disclaimer; this probably wont last. Many of these names will move to Chicago throughout the season, leaving Iowa less exciting. That's not a bad thing, but just the reality of the situation. Catch 'em early if you want to watch some awesome MiLB baseball.

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Going Through a Transition Phase as they Experiment with a New Sound: South Bend Cubs (High-A) and Knoxville Smokies (Double-A)
Bands, in their middle years, experiment with new sounds. Mumford and Sons went from a folk-centric band to an alt-rock sound at one point, trying something new. The Beatles went from boy-pop-band to experimental rock later in their career. These two teams will be searching for their new sound in 2025, and will likely see that sound switch mid-year.

At the start of the season, I expect the High-A Cubs to see a host of interesting prospects on the team, such as Christian Hernandez, Jaxson Wiggins, Cole Mathis, Jefferson Rojas (though he might miss time due to injury). There will probably be a few 2024 recent draftees here, as well, such as Ivan Brethowr, Edgar Alvarez, Brooks Caple, Daniel Avitia (though some of the arms may start in Myrtle). As with recent college draftees, if they hit the ground running, it's likely they'll get bumps to the next level, along with other prospects who have a good start to the season.

Knoxville, at the start of the year, will probably be kind of barren in terms of defined, household names. Players who succeeded there last year, such as Jonathon Long and Christian Franklin, will probably start a level above, making them an odd middle-ground at the start of the year. There should be some interesting players, such as Drew Gray, who get a start here, but I wouldn't expect to see a significant portion of the top-30 starting here. That probably will be good for rehabbing players such as Kohl Franklin (who's back on an MiLB deal) and Brody McCullough (who missed most of last year). They should get get some innings at the start of the season, allowing them to stand out a bit more than in a packed house. But by mid-year, Knoxville could get a big boost if players in South Bend make that positive jump to the next level, giving the Smokes that sweet-new-sound. 

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For Those Who Consider Themselves Fans of the Underground Indie Music Scene: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Low-A)
I'll probably be spending a bunch of time with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2025, but I'm also one of those guys who's always looking for that new, cool, underground band. These aren't the established names who have been atop the Cubs' prospect lists for a while; they aren't your Taylor Swifts of the system.

You kind of have to be a prospect-dork to want to begin with Myrtle Beach, much like you need to be a bit of a music-dork to know of that new three-piece band who plays in an dimly lit bar downtown. I welcome all who do — just know that there's very little defined with this iteration and it could be a mixed bag (if you've been to an indie show, you know sometimes you win and sometimes you wish you brought ear plugs). There are times when Low-A offers some names you really get attached to and stand out, but this version feels like it'll be a proving ground for a bunch of names who could be interesting, but are a bit more "under the radar" this time around.

If you're interested in finding the "next big thing" though, there should be a handful of names who could force their way into that discussion. Mid-round draft picks from 2024, such as Ronny Cruz and Ty Southesiene, will likely spend significant time in South Carolina, and have enough tools to make big jumps. This is also a great place to keep an eye out for pitching — we have seen recent breakout performances from Michael Arias and Juan Bello here, neither of whom are in the organization any longer, but the Cubs could see another player make a similar jump into relevancy in 2025. Any of the recent IFA names, such as Derniche Valdez or Fernando Cruz could see at least a little time here to start as they either begin their Stateside progress or just as a refresher for missing much of last year, like Valdez did.

There will be tough times in Myrtle Beach as some of the cream rises to the top and young players are notoriously volatile, but this is a great team to watch if you want to brag to your friends that "you saw him before he got famous". Just know there will be some clankers thrown in for good measure.

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What team are you going to be watching the most in 2025? Is there one team that will garner most or your time? Or will you be tuning in across the board? Let us know in the comments below!

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[CubinNY]

 Nice write up. Hopefully they get some breakouts and no one hot wonders. 
 

They really need some guys in the lower levels to level up in an unCublike fashion. 

[Jason Ross]

1 hour ago, CubinNY said:

 Nice write up. Hopefully they get some breakouts and no one hot wonders. 
 

They really need some guys in the lower levels to level up in an unCublike fashion. 

Hoping so too! Theres enough recently prep hitters, plus bigger IFA guys that I think we will find a few fun guys to follow in that vein. At least I hope so...if we don't...

[Tim]

AA is going to be more of a grunge scene for a while, I'm afraid.

Not the good kind, either.

[Bertz]

When it looked like Brown and Shaw were going to open up at Iowa, I think that team would have been the most loaded affiliate we ever had.  Honestly even better than anything circa 2014.  For good reasons it not quite that insane anymore, but I'd still say it will rightfully get the majority of eyeballs all year. 

The middle half of the farm is in super rough shape.  Tenn's rotation is okay, as is SB's lineup, but this is what a ~25th ranked farm system looks like.  One of Rojas/Hernandez Wiggins going supernova would go a long way.

Myrtle is fun.  There will inevitably be 4-5 hitters from this crew that we view as serious prospects six months from now.  Good luck guessing who that will be though!  Pitching looks rough even with the rosiest colored glasses.  I think we might be due for another draft where Kantrovitz takes like 16 pitchers.

[Jason Ross]

1 hour ago, Tim said:

AA is going to be more of a grunge scene for a while, I'm afraid.

Not the good kind, either.

I should be very clear: Mumford and Sons alt-rock turn was not a turn for the better haha. 

But yeah, I don't think the middle-groups will be super fun on their own. There will be a few bright lights to keep an eye on... but yeah, it's going to be least fun group.

[Jason Ross]

1 hour ago, Bertz said:

When it looked like Brown and Shaw were going to open up at Iowa, I think that team would have been the most loaded affiliate we ever had.  Honestly even better than anything circa 2014.  For good reasons it not quite that insane anymore, but I'd still say it will rightfully get the majority of eyeballs all year. 

The middle half of the farm is in super rough shape.  Tenn's rotation is okay, as is SB's lineup, but this is what a ~25th ranked farm system looks like.  One of Rojas/Hernandez Wiggins going supernova would go a long way.

Myrtle is fun.  There will inevitably be 4-5 hitters from this crew that we view as serious prospects six months from now.  Good luck guessing who that will be though!  Pitching looks rough even with the rosiest colored glasses.  I think we might be due for another draft where Kantrovitz takes like 16 pitchers.

I would agree on the draft, for sure. Have to assume that the team feels pretty good on hitting prospects currently - even beyond the top-top end there are still guys like Hernandez, Long, Cowles, Rojas, Mathis and a host of 2024 draftees. Then you add in your IFA group of, on paper, strong hitters and you're left with a draft that probably veers heavily into pitching. Would assume that with Zombro in tow, as well, that he's a big voice in the room.

[JunkyardWalrus]

Thank you for taking the time to write these up. Always a good read. 

[Jason Ross]

Just now, JunkyardWalrus said:

Thank you for taking the time to write these up. Always a good read. 

Thanks! I have fun writing these. And doing the new pod!