2025 Cubs Minor League Preview: Who Might Make it to Chicago?

[Jason Ross]

Every year, the beginning of a new season brings many things, one of which is always "hope". Hope that the Cubs win enough games in the regular season to make the playoffs, hope their players play well and hope that their young players progress. Who might be on "call-p watch" in 2025? Who might make an impact in Chicago?

Image courtesy of Iowa Cubs

Baseball season is literally right around the corner, and if you've been focused mostly on the Chicago Cubs 26-man roster, their roster decisions, 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 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. Today, I'll look at a few names that could make their way to Chicago throughout the season.

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Let's get this out of the way quickly — this article will not be another article on Kevin Alcantara, Matt Shaw, Moises Ballesteros, James Triantos or Cade Horton. At this point, I think it's pretty well assumed that if these names remain relatively healthy that they will make their way to Chicago for their MLB debuts. All of these names represent the Cubs "plan B" for injury for their MLB roster For example, if Michael Busch goes down in July, expect to see Caissie or Ballesteros fill in. If Pete Crow-Armstrong pulls a quad, it's likely that Alcantara will take over. The only thing standing in the way of these names making their debut with the Cubs would be seemingly their own injury issues or a mid-summer trade out of the organization.

 

No, this article is about some of the others in the Cubs system who have a chance to make an impact. These players may not have the high-ceiling impact of Shaw or Alcantara, but could be the sneaky-important fringe players who help get the Cubs through a rough patch, fill a more specialized role, or burst on to the scene in a way we didn't have on our 2025 Vision Boards. Don't discount these names — they're a few guys who I think could really shake things up in a good way.

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Keep an eye out for reliever Riley Martin
As the Cubs enter the year, their bullpen will likely only have a single left-hander among the group in former Minnesota Twin Caleb Thielbar. Coming off of a down season, which saw Thielbar's ERA climb from 3.21 (which is what he averaged from 2020-2023) to 5.31 last season, the reality is that the lefty doesn't have an iron-grip on the role for the entire season as of right now. There are reasons to believe he'll get it together, but if he can't, then the Cubs will have to look for alternatives. Luke Little is probably "next man up", but don't discount Riley Martin in this role.

 

Martin is flat-out one of my favorite stories in the Cubs MiLB system. Signed for a few thousand dollars, I immediately wrote him off as a slot-savings signing. While he offered a fun curveball, the rest of the package seemed pretty uninspired on draft day, and coming out of Quincy, he felt like even more of a long-shot than your typical sixth-round pick. Maybe that's why I love his story so much. Martin already made the Cubs Spring Breakout Roster (where I wrote about him once before this offseason), but is in prime position to jump to the Cubs active roster if a left-handed option is needed.

 

Featuring a plus-curveball with really impressive spin, and a fastball that has seen its velocity stick in the mid-90's, the lefty seems poised to make his debut this year. There's a bit of a concern with his control, as Martin did walk 16% of hitters in Triple-A, but he offset that by striking out 32% of hitters. He also gets a lot of ground balls (which makes sense — curveballs tend to result in grounders), which helps alleviate the walks with twin-killings. On top of that, Martin had a strong spring showing, both in MLB camp and in the Breakout game. It will only take a single injury or early Thielbar hiccups for Martin's name to be at the top of the list for potential replacements. 

 

 

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Don't sleep on Frankie Scalzo

Frankie Scalzo has been a name that you probably wouldn't have noticed if all you did was peruse top prospect lists. A former 14th round selection out of Grand Canyon, the righty hasn't made any top-20 lists, and isn't the flashiest arm coming out of the bullpen. Despite that, if you sorted the Cubs' MiLB system by ERA, you'd typically find the righty at or near the top of any list, in almost any season, since being drafted. He wouldn't be the first arm to be just good enough for minor league ball but not good enough to project to the majors, and heading into camp this year, that's probably in the tier I'd have put him in. 

 

Showing up in 2025, with a strong camp, and a nice showing at the Breakout game, I'm beginning to believe he's probably jumped a level and is likely to debut in Chicago. Sporting a fastball that can hit mid-90s regularly and flashes a bit better, it's his slider that's become a real weapon. As a fastball-slider guy, it's probable that he's going to be pigeonholed into being someone who struggles against left-handed hitters, which isn't perfect, but you can work with that profile. As Tyson Miller has already hit the IL with a hip impingement, it leaves room for Scalzo Jr. to jump up the internal reliever list. The Cubs will probably need a bunch of relievers in 2025 with how often players go down to ailments, so while it's fair to expect someone like Jack Neely to get the call above Scalzo to start, he isn't buried so far down that he couldn't play a role. 

 

Oh, also... he's got an 80-grade mustache. Does that play a role in my scouting? Guilty as charged. He passes the vibe check. 

 

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Could Statcast darling Jonathon Long be a factor?

I started this article off discussing why I didn't include Owen Caissie on this list, and then went on to outline how if Michael Busch were to go down, Caissie or Ballesteros would be called upon to be the backup. However, I think there could be a third name to that list: Jonathon Long.

 

Long was a ninth-round pick out of Long Beach State, and all he's done since being drafted is hit. The right-handed hitter also, seemingly, checks off every box — he makes a lot of contact, he walks, he has strong exit velocities. He's everything you could want. Importantly, he started to turn his strong EV's into home runs last year in Tennessee, hitting out 17 bombs through 114 games. Maybe you quibble and say you'd like to see more, but I'll leave that to you.

 

Where the questions on Long come in are when the discussion turns to his defensive home. Honestly, that's why I think he belongs on this list. While I don't think he's a natural fit at third, he could potentially force the issue here. He's seen some limited action at the hot corner through his time with the organization, and I'm curious as to who the team's backup plan is to Shaw if his struggles are deemed too much. James Triantos could be an option, but if Long is hitting the ball really well, it's not insane to think the Cubs could give him a look there, defensive questions be damned. 

 

With Caissie working back from offseason surgery, Long could be an early option at first, or even in the outfield, as he's played some left field, too. Long is defensively best suited for first, but again, the bat and injuries could force him into some other places. There's enough under the hood that he's not so much of a... Long-shot (I'll see myself out) to make the roster at some point. If he does, there's enough there to make you think he could hit so well he'd never go back.

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Who do you think might might the Chicago Cubs during the 2025 season? Are there some prospects you think could take the next step? Let us know in the comment section below!

 

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[G.Krisch]

Caissie still hasn't played an inning at 1B. I doubt he gets recalled to play there if Busch gets hurt.

[Jason Ross]

48 minutes ago, G.Krisch said:

Caissie still hasn't played an inning at 1B. I doubt he gets recalled to play there if Busch gets hurt.

Yet is the opporitive word here. I expect he will see some time there in 2025, however, to add versatility. The Cubs really enjoy when their players have paths. Johnny Long was seen getting ample time at 3b on the backfields during camp. The Cubs, last season, messed around with the idea (never in an MLB game but internally at practice) of Morel at 1b. Caissie has the size and bat to play some 1b now, and may have to move there down the road. I say this as the self-proclaimed captain of the Owen Caissie Fan Club, as well. I very much believe he's a capable OF'er currently, but how long that remains is somewhat iffy.

Another point; Michael Busch, before Opening as the Cubs starting 1b, logged only 17 games in the Dodgers system at 1b and just 7 of those came after 2021. We have very recent data points to suggest the Cubs are unafraid of making someone into a 1b on the fly. 

Maybe I'm entirly off base here, but I would be very surprised if he doesn't get looks at 1b, to both give him multiple paths to make the MLB club, and to give the Cubs multiple options in the event of a Busch injury. It could be that the Cubs felt far more comfortable with doing that with Busch in that he was already an infielder, or that the Cubs already know Caissie just can't field ground balls, so there are things that we cannot know. But I'll be surprised if Caissie doesn't get a look there to expand his versaitility. 

[G.Krisch]

I've been saying for over a year that he should be getting in time at 1B. He has the profile for it. The problem with thinking he's the next man up if Busch gets hurt is he hasn't logged an inning over there yet. I'm high on long. I love his swing. They are totally different players, but something in his swing reminds me of Kris Bryant. 

[Jason Ross]

Just now, G.Krisch said:

I've been saying for over a year that he should be getting in time at 1B. He has the profile for it. The problem with thinking he's the next man up if Busch gets hurt is he hasn't logged an inning over there yet. I'm high on long. I love his swing. They are totally different players, but something in his swing reminds me of Kris Bryant. 

I think the Cubs are pretty sold on the idea that the kids are going to be "next man up" at almost any position, but it's assumption there. I think Turner will get a crack at it, but I also think he's limited. His age is getting up there, his bat speed is slowing down...I think he's more suited to be a part of the 1b solution as opposed to the solution. So then you're left trying to figure out...with whom? Ballesteros is probably best served playing C in Iowa and learning the position. I really like Long, but he's only just gotten to Triple-A, I doubt he's ready. Caissie is left handed, and it's first base, not short stop. 

I'm really spitballing here, but the Cubs have appeared to be pretty high on Caissie. It seems like any time he comes up in trade talks the Cubs walk out of that deal. So I think the team will be interested in giving him a route to the MLB beyond simply RF. 

Then again, I've been known to be wrong! In which case I'll just delete this post