Chicago Cubs Minor League Pitchers Of The Year

[Andrew Wright]

Image courtesy of USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

With the end of the MiLB season comes time for recognition of players who stood out throughout the season. While most of the Cubs' prospect success came on the offensive side this year, there were still some standout pitchers who had excellent seasons and built up some confidence headed into the 2027 season.

Let's dive into those and crown our 2026 Cubs Minor League Pitchers of the Year.

3. Brooks Caple - 21 G, 21 GS, 107.2 IP, 3.09 ERA, 31 BB, 108 K

Caple made his way into the Cubs top 10 prospect rankings midway through the season, and it was well-deserved. He pitched across two levels this season, posting a 7-5 record with a 3.09 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 21 starts and 107 2/3 innings pitched. Caple's most impressive trait may have been his command of the strike zone, as he went from 43 walks in 98 1/3 innings in 2025 to the numbers you see above.

He features a fastball that sat in the mid-90s, along with a breaking ball mix that includes a curveball and slider. Most of Caple's time was spent at Double-A Knoxville, where he pitched 86 frames. His work at Double-A earned him Double-A League All-Star Honors, alongside Owen Ayers and Dawson Netz. Caple certainly made a name for himself. He'll be among those who are heavily watched and highlighted in spring training and throughout the course of the 2027 season—especially if, as might be the case, he starts knocking loudly on the door to the majors next spring.

2. Tyler Ras - 41 G, 67.2 IP, 8 SV, 2.13 ERA, 21 BB, 71 K, 0.99 WHIP, .194 OPP AVG

Ras hasn't yet cracked Chicago's top 30 prospect list, but that could change if he continues to dominate out of the bullpen the way he did in 2026. He was a handful to deal with throughout the season, and he made life tough on Double-A hitters. All 41 of his appearances were out of the bullpen; that's his only viable role. An upper-90s fastball (along with a cutter, curveball, slider and changeup) gives Ras an excellent five-pitch mix with which to work, though. He converted all eight of his save opportunities and added two holds. It was an excellent season for Ras, who has quickly emerged as one of the top reliever prospect in the organization.

1. Dawson Netz - 24 G, 17 GS, 85.2 IP, 2.94 ERA, 35 BB, 103 K, .170 OPP AVG

Like Ras, Netz has not yet entered the Cubs' top 30 prospect rankings, but he is well deserving of it, after a stellar season. Netz's 103 strikeouts led the Knoxville Smokies and were the eighth-most in the Southern League, which earned him Double-A League All-Star honors. It was an increase of 37 strikeouts from his 2025 total, in just 22 more innings.

Netz features a unique delivery that gave him a bit of deception, something that could've helped raise the strikeout numbers. He did struggle with walks, but when you allow opponents to hit just .170 for the entire season, those walks will often be stranded. With a bit better command of the zone next season, Netz could be right on the cusp of a potential promotion to the major leagues. 

In a strong system, there would be better news than this. Even in a bad year for pitching in an organization aware of the shortcoming, though, there were some green shoots. Keep an eye out for Caple, Ras and Netz. They might have big-league futures.

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