Chicago Cubs Weekly Prospect Update: Several Rookie Prospects On the Rise

Let's take a look at some of the rising prospects across the minor-league affiliates of the Chicago Cubs organization and see how their respective seasons are going.

Pitchers

• Alvin De Leon (DSL Cubs Blue) - De Leon has had a great start to his career, having a 0.00 ERA and a 0.61 WHIP in eight games pitched. In 18 innings on the mound, he has 17 strikeouts and has given up ten strikeouts. Preventing runs is his specialty this season as he has only given up two (none earned) in eight games pitched in the 2026 season.
• Yoendris Gonzalez (Myrtle Beach Pelicans) - In the ACL and Low-A levels this season, Gonzalez has done good striking batters out as he has 39 of them in 24 innings. For every nine innings, he averages over 14 strikeouts. Gonzalez also knows how to keep the bases empty, having 12 hits and eight walks given up. In 11 games this season, Gonzalez has a 2.25 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP.
• Evan Taylor (Knoxville Smokies) - In Taylor's first full Double-A season, he has done a fair job limiting hits (6.64 H/9) and limiting runs (14 given up, 11 earned). He has 63 strikeouts on the year, he has done a great job gaining punchouts. With 26 games on the hill so far in 2026, Taylor has a 2.43 ERA along with a 1.38 WHIP.

Catchers

• Henniel Alcala (ACL Cubs) - Across Low-A and the ACL this season, Alcala has 18 strikeouts in 70 at-bats, which is a little bit concerning. He has good plate discipline, drawing 12 walks in the 2026 campaign. Alcala has 13 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 22 games. He has played 133 innings behind the plate and 16 innings at first base (two errors on 13 total chances) along with three games started as a designated hitter. With a 0.391 wOBA, he has done a good job getting on base.
• Casey Opitz (Iowa Cubs) - Although Opitz has only played in 16 games this season, he has done a great job getting hits as he has nine so far. Two things that are concerning are his 37.5 strikeout percentage and the .240 wOBA he currently has. Along with being a catcher for 39 innings this year, he has played first base in 18 other innings, having no errors on 12 total chances. With ten innings pitched this year (yes, you read that right), he has no errors on four total chances along with eleven earned runs and 20 hits given up.
• Daniel Campos (ACL Cubs) - Campos has caught 21 games and has started 20 of them this season. When he has not been catching, he was a designated hitter where he did that for one game. With a .306 wOBA and nine walks, plate discipline has been very good this season. Striking out is a bit of a concern for Campos this year, having 21 in 71 at-bats (nearly 30%).

Infielders

• Jose Escobar (South Bend Cubs) - Although he is officially listed as an infielder, Escobar has spent more time in left field this season (406.1 innings) while only playing 185.1 at second base. When in the outfield, he has only one error on 78 total chances while he has four errors on 70 total chances. He also has started three games as a designated hitter in 2026. At the plate, he has around 15% of his at-bats being strikeouts (41 K's in 279 at-bats), which is amazing. With 49 RBIs and 35 runs scored this season, he has produced runs and run scoring chances for the Cubs. Escobar has 32 walks and a .402 wOBA, which shows that getting on base has been great.
• Derniche Valdez (Myrtle Beach Pelicans) - In 72 games this season, Valdez has 83 strikeouts in 285 at-bats, which shows a bit of a concern at the plate. With only 12 walks and a wOBA of .274, the ability to get on base is another struggle in 2026.While playing the infield for 585 innings (286 at third, 299 at short), he has 15 errors (five at third, 10 at short) on 210 total chances (81 at third, 129 at short). When Valdez is not playing games on the field, he is a designated hitter, having started three games there.
• Fernando Cruz (ACL Cubs) - Cruz has been on fire at the plate in 2026, having nine home runs in 172 at-bats. The only concern of his offense is his strikeout percentage, which is around 41% (71 K's in 172 at-bats). With 43 hits, 24 walks, and a wOBA at .383, he has done a good job with getting on base. On the dirt, he has spent 118.2 innings at second base and 221.1 innings at shortstop. He has two errors on 62 total chances at second base and has eight errors on 100 total chances. Cruz has also spent two games as a designated hitter. He is probably the top prospects for the Chicago Cubs organization at the rookie levels.

Outfielders

• Kane Kepley (South Bend Cubs) - In his first High-A season, this prospect has made a name for himself. Kepley has no errors on 138 total chances (125 in center, 13 in left). He has spent 499 innings played in the outfield this season (448 in center, 51 in left). On offense, he has been a big aspect in run scoring, having 44 RBIs and 88 runs scored in 2026. With 54 strikeouts in 283 total at-bats (just over 19%), 73 hits, 76 walks, and a .403 wOBA, he has done a good job getting on base. His speed also is shown on the base path as he has stolen 41 bases. 
• Eli Lovich (Myrtle Beach Pelicans) - On offense, Lovich has been dominating this season, boasting 8 home runs and 46 walks this season. However, he has 102 strikeouts in 256 at bats (nearly 40%) and a .335 wOBA, which are very concerning. Spending time in all three areas of the outfield (410.2 innings in right, 100.1 innings in left, 8.0 innings in center), he only has two errors (one in left, one in right) on 99 total chances (87 in right, 11 in left, one in center). Lovich has also been a designated hitter for 20 games this season.
• Alexey Lumpuy (Myrtle Beach Pelicans) - In 457.1 innings in center field and 77 innings in right field, he has no errors on 137 total chances (136 in center, 11 in right). He has spent three games being a designated hitter as well. In 65 games this year. Lumpuy has 37 RBIs and has touched home plate 33 times, showing another prospect contributing to scoring. Although he has a .245 batting average, he has 90 strikeouts in 257 at-bats (35%), which is very concerning. Another concern is his .348 wOBA, but when he does get on base, he can show his speed as he has 35 stolen bases in 2026. 

Interested in learning more about the Chicago Cubs' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!