Power Ranking the Watchability of the 2024 Chicago Cubs Minor-League Affiliates

Through a combination of mid-season sell-offs, savvy trades, and quality draft picks, the Chicago Cubs have built a system that has seen nearly 10 players ranked in someone's top-100, and offering impressive depth and fun players at every level. Recently, in one of their better moves, Major League Baseball has decided to essentially give away their MiLB package, with a yearly plan costing just $30, or free to anyone who subscribes to MLB.TV. With as many as four minor-league games being shown, however, there are only so many games you can watch. 

To help you decide where you should be watching, I'll be running frequent MiLB Cubs' Affiliate Power Rankings. Like traditional power rankings, these will be based on opinion, but what will differ is that I'm not overly concerned with win-loss records. Instead, I'll focus on talent at the level and overall watchability. It doesn't mean wins and losses mean nothing, but that it's going to be far less of a consideration. I'm also going to keep the power rankings to the four teams (Iowa, Tennessee, South Bend, Myrtle Beach) that are viewable. Yes, I realize I'm leaving out the DSL Cubs and the Arizona Complex League, but with no way to watch the games, it's pretty hard to feature them on these rankings. With that said, let's see where each team is going to rank headed into the 2024 season:

#4 - Low-A, Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Notable Players: Luis Rujano, SP Christopher Paciolla, 3b, Nazier Mule, SP, Mason McGuire, SP JP Wheat, SP

Myrtle Beach always gives us a few surprises, and the Cubs love adding a young position player or two out of nowhere (Derniche Valdez?) but overall, this is probably the least "fun" group as of today. Jaxon Wiggins, the Cubs' second-round selection in the 2023 draft will likely start here (though will be promoted quickly) but expect this to be a very young crop of players. Paciolla, Mule, McGuire and the rehabbing JP Wheat may all make appearances here, and all were taken as prep players in the 2022 Draft.

Keep an eye out for Shane Marshall here, as well. Marshall pitched in a whopping three games in his entire college career because he was a catcher. The Cubs picked Marshall, though, because his fastball (in extremely limited time) had some of the best Stuff+ in the entire NCAA when the righty was called upon to pitch in mop-up duty. Rehabbing after an injury, he's a complete mystery, but probably one of my favorite guys to see take the field, if only for the novelty. As well, this is the best "pop-up" spot. I wouldn't have had Jefferson Rojas starting here, nor would I have expected the kind of year he had, so don't be surprised if this team is far more exciting in July than we think it is today.

#3  - High-A, South Bend Cubs
Notable Players: Michael Arias, SP, Pedro Ramirez, 2b/SS, Ed Howard, SS, Josh Rivera, INF, Drew Gray, SP, Will Sanders, SP, Jefferson Rojas

Whereas Myrtle Beach is the team to go watch the 2022 prep class, the South Bend Cubs are the team to watch the 2023 college class. This team would likely be much more interesting with top-10 prospects like Jackson Ferris on the roster, but he was traded for Michael Busch. Despite this, the team does have a handful of interesting 2023 picks (as well as borderline top-10 prospect Jefferson Rojas) likely to see time here. The 2023 draft picks include such players as third-round pick Josh Rivera, fifth-round pick Will Sanders, and a handful of their later-round picks, such as Brendon Bateman, Brian Kalmer, Jonathon Long, and possibly Carter Trice.  Truthfully, this should be a pretty interesting watch, though it also might be short-lived if the college bats and arms look good. The previously mentioned Jaxon Wiggins may also feature here, but later in the season, after he gets off to a good start in Myrtle Beach.

#2  - Double-A, Tennessee Smokies
Notable Players: Matt Shaw, 2b/3b, Cade Horton, SP, Brandon Birdesll, SP, Moises Ballesteros, C, Haydn McGeary, 1b, Kevin Alcantara, CF, James Triantos, 2b

Most years, this is the best team. I'm a little skeptical if Horton starts here, but I expect even if he does, he's not staying long. Even if we don't consider him on this list, the team has multiple top-10 prospects, such as 2023 first-round pick Matt Shaw, Mo Ballesteros, Kevin Alcántara, and James Triantos. These are prospects with at least 50 FV grades, and arguably, multiple in the 55 FV+ area. There are a few under-the-radar players, like Brody McCullough (2022 tenth-round selection) and Brandon Birdsell, (2022 fifth-round selection) who have some lower-end MLB upside. Kohl Franklin has nasty stuff, but he simply cannot control it. If there's any progress in strike throwing and consistency, he could add to the fun options the Smokies have, though it may be a bit of a long shot. If Horton was going to stick here past, say, May 1, I could buy an argument for this being the best team in the system...alas...

#1  - Triple-A, Iowa Cubs
Notable Players: Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, Cade Horton, SP, BJ Murray 1b/3b, Matt Mervis, 1b, Alexander Canario, OF, Daniel Palencia, RP, Porter Hodge, RP, Luis Vazquez, SS, Owen Caissie, RF, Ben Brown, SP/RP

This team is stacked. I know, I included Horton in Tennessee, but I really think he'll end up with more innings in Iowa regardless and it may even be from day-1. Then you add in Pete Crow-Armstrong, a universal top-30 prospect, and Owen Caissie, who's trending on being a top-50 player on industry lists, and you've got three impact-upside players right off the bat. Rounding out the roster you have multiple players in the everyday line up who will be fun follows, such as Matt Mervis and Alexander Canario launching moonshots (even if you're like me and concerned with their MLB upside, as MiLB hitters, they will be fun), a super slick fielder in Vázquez, and you still haven't even gotten to the likes of Ben Brown, BJ Murray, and Porter Hodge? This is easily the most fun Iowa Cubs team in a while. Yes, the Cubs are top-heavy in the system right now (notice that the power rankings are also a list, from bottom to top) but it also means it's pretty easy to pick and choose who to watch. If the Cubs have Horton or Brown going, this is a must-watch team from Day 1.

Which team are you most interested in watching? Do you agree or disagree with this list? Let us know in the comment section below who you want to watch and what your power rankings are! 

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!