Minor League Placement 2026

[allen6510w]

Here is an early look at one possible placement of Cub minor leaguers in 2026.  

Position players.   Clearly, several MiFA will need to be signed.  

 

If you would like to play this game, other options include C Jose Silva, OF Edward Vargas, OF Joan Delgado, IF Drew Bowser, CF Robin Ortiz 

 

 

 

Starting pitchers ( Tyler S. is eligible to be a MiFA but I assume he is re-signed here). 

Mason McGwire and Colton Book are other options.  

[Donzo]

I always like it when you post your placements.

Edited October 13, 2025 by Donzo

[Bertz]

This looks good!  It's a bit hard to get too confident until we have a better idea of who from Iowa will be in Chicago, because that reverberates down.  A few things that caught my eye:

- I'd be shocked if Southisene doesn't start in SB.  I know the SB lineup is tough to crack, but Ty, Cepeda, and Kepley were the two best players on MB in the second half by a wide margi

- I don't feel as confident about it as Southisene, but I'd guess Melendez also opens at SB.  Jose Escobar likely gets a good bit of OF time which helps facilitate these two on the roster

- Pending Caissie/Alcantara's placement and any depth signings, Bateman seems a pretty safe bet for Iowa

[allen6510w]

2 hours ago, Bertz said:

This looks good!  It's a bit hard to get too confident until we have a better idea of who from Iowa will be in Chicago, because that reverberates down.  A few things that caught my eye:

- I'd be shocked if Southisene doesn't start in SB.  I know the SB lineup is tough to crack, but Ty, Cepeda, and Kepley were the two best players on MB in the second half by a wide margi

- I don't feel as confident about it as Southisene, but I'd guess Melendez also opens at SB.  Jose Escobar likely gets a good bit of OF time which helps facilitate these two on the roster

- Pending Caissie/Alcantara's placement and any depth signings, Bateman seems a pretty safe bet for Iowa

Thanks for your comments.

Yes, Southisene in high-A makes a lot of sense and is fun.  As you likely know, Escobar played more OF than 2B last year.  Southisene had a solid K/W and should not be overwhelmed in high-A.   Of course a 0.665 full-season OPS last year is underwhelming and could argue for a mid-season promotion. 

Melendez could end up starting 2026 as a high-A utility infielder if Fernando Cruz or Derniche Valdez surprise. 

Yes, with the current MiL roster, Bateman is likely to start in AAA.  

[CaliforniaRaisin]

On 10/13/2025 at 7:26 AM, allen6510w said:

Here is an early look at one possible placement of Cub minor leaguers in 2026.  

Position players.   Clearly, several MiFA will need to be signed.  

 

If you would like to play this game, other options include C Jose Silva, OF Edward Vargas, OF Joan Delgado, IF Drew Bowser, CF Robin Ortiz 

 

 

 

Starting pitchers ( Tyler S. is eligible to be a MiFA but I assume he is re-signed here). 

Mason McGwire and Colton Book are other options.  

This is fantastic!

I have a few that I feel strongly: I think Ty Southisene and Kade Snell will both be at high-A. Otherwise, this feels pretty accurate.

Will be interested to see Dominick Reid and Ethan Conrad can both skip to South Bend and if Juan Cabada can skip the complex league (a la Jefferson Rojas). That would be nice.

[Bertz]

A different crack at this same project.  Conrad at Myrtle raised my eyebrow, but I guess it's probably not a bad idea to give him a ~month in Low A to get back up to full speed and avoid those cold midwestern April games.

[allen6510w]

15 hours ago, Bertz said:

A different crack at this same project.  Conrad at Myrtle raised my eyebrow, but I guess it's probably not a bad idea to give him a ~month in Low A to get back up to full speed and avoid those cold midwestern April games.

Fun list.

Low-A and at 1B.   Perhaps a consequence of the log jam of outfielders (Snell, Escobar, Kepley, Conrad, Espinoza, Lumpuy) who in an ideal world would begin 2026 in high-A. 

I was also a bit surprised that he continues to hold out hope for JP Wheat as a starter, believes Jerzembeck is healthy enough to start, and gives a second chance to Frank (well he is a lefty). 

[allen6510w]

With minor league signings trickling in - lineup options abound - 

[Tryptamine]

Probably unrealistic, but I was holding out hope that Kepley would get the nod to AA 

[allen6510w]

19 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

Probably unrealistic, but I was holding out hope that Kepley would get the nod to AA 

Yes, that would certainly help with the roster crunch. and could move him into top 100 prospect status by year end if it works.  Another less exciting option is to start Kade Snell there as he is a a year-and-a-half older. 

With the expected promotion of under-performing Juan Tomas to Mesa, it seems more likely that the Cubs will promote Fernando Cruz to low-A. and Yahil Melendez to 3B or SS. 

[craig]

I'd assume F Cruz will stay in Az.  Over half his AB's were K's last year.  Guessing developmentally, working in AZ will be best for him.  So many developmental resources there, and having already worked there last summer, I'm guessing that having a chance to stay in the same environment for a change might have developmental advantages.  Know the weight room.  Know the nutrition context.  Know some of the coaches.  Know the analytics and tech environment.  If he stays as bad as last year, you know he's not developing much, and you can assess progress or lack thereof.  If he just gets rushed up to Myrtle, we'll just excuse struggles with the usual "big promotion; young for league; Myrtle is a pitcher's park" usual excuses.  (Heh heh, obviously if he does go to Myrtle, and he does improve, drops K's under 30%, hits some HR's, and hits .250, then we'd obviously know he'd improved a lot.).   

[Bertz]

Wrong thread

Edited January 21 by Bertz
Wrong thread

[CubinNY]

Where is Hartshorn likely to start the season, Arizona? I have tremendous hope for him. 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

6 hours ago, CubinNY said:

Where is Hartshorn likely to start the season, Arizona? I have tremendous hope for him. 

I suspect so but do think there’s at least a small chance he could break at Myrtle Beach. I’m hoping he’s there by July at the latest.

[craig]

Agree, I'd assume Az.  

[allen6510w]

Will be fun to see how this plays out and whether players such as Cam Sisneros, Alex Madera, Jordan Nwogu, Derik Alcantara, Michael Carico, Jan Luis Reyes, and other carve out a spot this spring. 

Luis Ghisays & Chaily Ramirez are also likely to be starting pitchers in the DSL, assuming they aren't late adds to the ACL team.  Kohl Franklin, L. Martinez-Gomez, Daniel Avitia, Hayden Franks, and I'm sure others are also options.