Robbie McGrath

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images 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. View full article

Image courtesy of © Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 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 Adam Stone (South Bend Cubs) - In 29.1 innings on the mound this season, Stone has done a good job at limiting runs and heavy amounts of base runners, only giving up nine (five earned) along with 26 strikeouts, 21 hits and only one home run given up in 2026. In 14 games this year, he has a 1.53 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Jace Beck (Knoxville Smokies) - With 20 games pitched (18 Double-A, two Triple-A) and four started (all Double-A) this season, Beck has 89 strikeouts and 26 walks in 55.2 innings pitched. With 18 earned runs allowed, he has done a great job at limiting runs. He currently has a 2.91 ERA (3.02 Double-A, 1.80 Triple-A) and a 1.28 WHIP (1.30 Double-A, 0.43 Triple-A). Mason McGwire (South Bend Cubs) - The Futures Game participant is another minor-league pitcher in this organization who has done a fantastic job preventing runs, only given up 16 earned runs (eight Low-A, eight High-A). The son of Mark McGwire has pitched 15 games this season (10 Low-A, five High-A) and nine of them were starts (five Low-A, four High-A). He has also only given up three home runs (all Low-A), 19 walks (10 Low-A, nine High-A), and 38 hits (22 Low-A, 16 High-A) in 48 innings (30 Low-A, 18 High-A) this season. McGwire has a 3.00 ERA (2.40 Low-A, 4.00 High-A) and a 1.19 WHIP (1.07 Low-A, 1.39 High-A). Catchers Ivan Cespedes (Myrtle Beach Pelicans) - The new Pelican had a good season with the ACL Cubs until his promotion on June 30. In the rookie level, he had 31 hits in 102 at-bats with seven of them being doubles and five being home runs. He has brought in 19 runs and touched home plate 12 times in 28 games. In one game with Myrtle Beach, he has no hits in three at-bats along with two strikeouts and one walk. Cespedes has started ten games (all ACL) and 19 games (18 ACL, one Low-A) as a designated hitter. With 15 walks (14 ACL, one Low-A) and a wOBA of .410 (.410 ACL, .000 Low-A), that shows his ability to get on base. If he can keep getting on base, Cespedes will have a bright future in the game of baseball. Miguel Useche (South Bend Cubs) - In 37 games this season, Useche has played 99 innings as a catcher while also playing at first base for eight innings, left field for 89.2 innings, and right field for 54 innings. As an infielder this season, he only has one error (first base) on 28 total chances (10 in first, 14 in left, 2 in right). At the plate, 33 hits (32 High-A, one Double-A), five doubles (all High-A), and eight home runs (all High-A) in 125 at-bats (123 High-A, 2 Double-A). He has scored 27 runs (26 High-A, one Double-A) and brought in 27 (26 High-A, one Double-A). With only 34 strikeouts (33 High-A, one Double-A), 16 walks (15 High-A, one Double-A), and a .375 wOBA, he is solid at getting on base. Michael Carico (South Bend Cubs) - Before Carico was promoted to South Bend on Tuesday, he had a solid season with Myrtle Beach. He had 39 hits in 158 at-bats with seven of them being doubles and seven others being home runs. He brought in 25 runs and scored 34 times during his time with the Pelicans. Although he is officially listed as a catcher, he has played nearly all of his season at first base (345.2 innings) and only spent 5.1 innings behind the plate and was a designated hitter for seven games. At first base, he had nine errors on 298 total chances. In his first game with South Bend, he played eight innings at first with no errors on three total chances. On offense, he had no hits and two strikeouts in three at-bats. Carico was walked 60 times, had 62 strikeouts, and had a wOBA of .429 as a Pelican, showing he has done a fantastic job at getting on base this year. Infielders James Triantos (Iowa Cubs) - In 74 games played this season, Triantos has played 39 at third base, 23 at second base, six in left field, five in center field, and two as a designated hitter. He has ten errors (five at second, five at third) on 264 total chances (187 at third, 56 at second, seven in left, 14 in center). On offense, he has 88 hits with 20 of them being doubles, one being a triple, and six being home runs in 294 at-bats. He has scored 50 times and also has 45 RBIs. With 45 walks, 43 strikeouts, and a .334 wOBA, he has struggled getting on base at times. Edgar Alvarez (Knoxville Smokies) - In 197 at-bats in 2026, Trice has 36 hits, 11 doubles, one triples, and eight home runs as a Smokie. With 28 RBIs, and 33 runs, scoring has been a bit of a struggle for him. He has struggled at getting on base as he has 64 strikeouts and a wOBA of .329. On the dirt, he has spent 391.2 innings at first base, 69.1 innings at third base, eleven innings in left field, and nine innings in right field. With 349 total chances this season (321 at first, 22 at third, 2 in left, four in right), he has no errors which is very impressive. If Alvarez can improve getting on base and keep his defense up, he will be a key part of the future of the Chicago Cubs. Drew Bowser (Knoxville Smokies) - Bowser was another player who received a promotion on Tuesday from South Bend to Knoxville. While with the Cubs, he played 33 games at second base (32 started), 16 games at first base (15 started), and he also spent five games as a designated hitter. He spent 285 innings at second and 129 at first where he had three errors (two at second, one at first) on 250 total chances (130 at second, 120 at second). In the batter's box, 39 hits in 184 at-bats, and had eleven doubles and five home runs. With 35 RBIs and 29 runs scored himself in 54 games, he has been a contributor to the scoring most of the games as a Cub. With 72 strikeouts and .330 wOBA, it shows that becoming a base runner is a bit of an issue at times. In his first game as a Smokie, he had three at-bats and collected one hit and had two strikeouts. On the field, he played second base for the whole game where he had no errors on one total chance. Outfielders Carter Trice (Knoxville Smokies) - With 269 at-bats this season for Trice, he has collected hits in 69 of them (16 doubles, two triples, ten home runs). He also has 36 runs batted in and scored 39 himself in 73 games this season. With 69 strikeouts and a wOBA of .350, he is decent with getting on base, but he needs to improve on that throughout his career. On defense, he is listed as an infielder but has spent the whole season with the Smokies in the outfield with 620 innings in the grass (341 in left, 209 in center, 70 in right). On 133 total chances (73 in left, 45 in center, 15 in right), he has two errors (one in left, one in center). Joan Delgado (ACL Cubs) - In his fifth season in the rookie levels (third in ACL), Delgado's bat has been on fire, having ten out of his 37 hits being home runs. He also has six doubles and two triples. With 28 RBIs and 26 runs scored by himself in 33 games, he has been a key contributor to the rookie Cubs scoring. With a wOBA at .445 and being walked 14 times, he has done an excellent job with getting on base this season. On defense, he has spent 133 innings in right field, 16 innings in left field, and 73 innings as a center fielder. On 45 total chances this season (18 in center, 27 in right), he has two errors (both in center). Alex Ramírez (Knoxville Smokies) - With 542.1 innings played (470.1 in right field, 72 in center field), Trice has three errors (two in right, one in center) on 116 total chances (95 in center, 21 in right). He has also played 55 games in right (53 started), nine games in center, and eight as a designated hitter. In 287 at-bats in 2026, he has 82 hits (18 doubles, one triple, nine home runs). Ramírez has 52 RBIs and 48 runs scored, displaying his ability to bring runs in. The 60 strikeouts and .343 wOBA show he is another minor leaguer struggling to get on base. View full article

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Josiah Hartshorn and Mason McGwire have been selected to represent the Chicago Cubs organization in the 2026 MLB All-Star Futures Game. The event will take place on Sunday, July 12 at 12:00 pm EST, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. If you want to watch the game, it will be carried live by NBC. Hartshorn, an outfielder and first baseman on the South Bend Cubs, has had a rookie season to remember. Across Low-A and High-A this season on offense, he has 14 home runs (5 Low-A, 9 High-A), 60 RBIs (25 Low-A, 35 High-A), and 72 hits (38 Low-A, 34 High-A) in 251 at-bats (139 Low-A, 112 High-A). He also has 46 walks (34 Low-A, 12 High-A) along with a wOBA of .419 (.420 Low-A, .417 High-A), which shows how good he has been at getting on base so far in 2026. On the field, he has played first base (165.1 innings), right field (234.1 innings), and center field (143 innings). Hartshorn only has four errors throughout the whole season, with all of them coming from first base, where he has had 142 total chances. In the outfield, he has no errors on 75 total chances (42 in right, 33 in center). McGwire, a pitcher also from South Bend, has pitched 45 innings across Low-A and High-A this season (30 Low-A, 15 High-A). He has been on the mound 14 total times this season (10 Low-A, 4 High-A) with eight of them being starts (five Low-A, three High-A) where he has a 3-3 record this year (2-2 Low-A, 1-1 High-A). He has done a solid job keeping the bases empty with 62 strikeouts (45 Low-A, 17 High-A) and 35 hits (22 Low-A, 13 High-A). McGwire has 20 runs against him (12 Low-A, eight High-A) with 15 of them being earned (eight Low-A, seven High-A). Hartshorn is the 79th overall prospect in affiliated baseball and our fourth-ranked player in the Cubs farm system, while McGwire is the 30th overall prospect in the Cubs organization, according to MLB Pipeline. Shane Victorino will manage the National League team. The 45-year-old played for the Padres, Phillies, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Angels organizations throughout his career. Victorino made the 2009 (reserve) and 2011 (starter) MLB All-Star Games. In 2008 (Phillies) and 2013 (Red Sox), he won the World Series. He also won the Gold Glove in 2008, 2009, and 2010 all with Philadelphia in centerfield and in 2013 with Boston as a right fielder. View full article

Pitchers • Jackson Brockett (South Bend Cubs) - In his first professional season, Brockett has done a good job keeping the bases empty, only having 12 walks, seven earned runs, and also has 42 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings pitched. In 16 games, he has a 1.44 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. • Tyler Ras (Knoxville Smokies) - Ras is a solid strikeout pitcher, averaging around ten strikeouts for every nine innings pitched (38 strikeouts this season). He also does not give up a lot of runs, with only seven earned in 36 innings pitched this season. In 21 games on the mound, Ras has a 1.75 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. • Marino Santy (Knoxville Smokies) - Santy has done an excellent job keeping the ball in the park this season, only giving up one home run. He has also given up 23 hits and has 53 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched across High-A and Double-A. Santy also only has six earned runs and 18 walks. This season, he has a 1.46 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in 22 games pitched. Catchers • Owen Ayers (Knoxville Smokies) - Ayers’ bat has been on fire to start the season with 19 home runs (six in High-A, 13 in Double-A). Being walked 41 times shows he has good plate discipline, and his .504 wOBA (.560 in High-A, .447 in Double-A) shows he is very good at getting on base. When he has not been catching this season, he has been playing at first base (71 innings this season), where he has only had two errors on 52 total chances. He started 26 games this season as a DH (four in High-A, 22 in Double-A). • Logan Poteet (Myrtle Beach Pelicans) - Poteet is another player with a bat on fire in the 2026 season, having 14 home runs. He contributes to scoring for the Pelicans as he has scored 38 times and brought in 37 runs. He has done a good job at getting on base with a wOBA of .431 so far this season. Poteet has started eight games as a DH. • Sergio Patino (DSL Cubs Blue) - Patino is off to a good start to his career at the plate with only two strikeouts in 27 at-bats. When he is not behind the plate, he plays first base (14.2 innings this season), where he has no errors on 15 total chances. The rookie has a .421 wOBA, which is very impressive. Infielders • Jefferson Rojas (Knoxville Smokies, SS/3B) - Although Rojas is officially listed as a shortstop, he has played more innings at third base this season, along with several innings at second base. He has nine errors (four at third, five at shortstop, none at second) on 131 total chances on the field this season. At the plate, he has 13 home runs and 41 runs in 230 at-bats, along with 47 RBIs and 24 walks. Rojas gets on base often with a .383 wOBA, which is solid. In five at-bats, he strikes out on average at least one of them. However, with the long ball threat and his ability to get on base, the strikeouts aren’t much of a concern. Rojas has started 2 games and played 3 total as a DH. • Jonathon Long (Iowa Cubs, 1B) - With 492.1 innings played at first base, Long only has two errors on 416 total chances, which is incredible. While playing 64 innings in left field, he has no errors on 15 total chances. The 68 strikeouts in 284 at-bats (around 24%) is not bad. He has scored 43 runs and brought in 39 in 71 games played for Iowa in 2026. Getting on base has been a bit of a struggle with a wOBA of .330. Long has also started seven games in the DH position. • BJ Murray (Iowa Cubs, 3B/1B) - Murray has had a solid season at the plate for Iowa, having 9 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 41 runs scored in 257 at-bats. His strikeout percentage is around 25% (65 on the season), so his numbers aren’t bad in this category. With a wOBA of .419 and 40 walks, he has done a great job getting on base this season. On the field, Murray has 370 innings played (207 at third, 127 at first, 36 innings left field), where he has six errors (one at first, five at third, none in left) on 187 total chances. He has started in 42 games this season (24 at third, 14 at first, four in left). He has also started 26 games as a DH. Outfielders • Josiah Hartshorn (South Bend Cubs, OF/1B) - In his first season out of rookie ball, Hartshorn has killed it at the plate, with 14 of his 71 hits being home runs, meaning anytime he gets a recorded hit, nearly one out of every five is a home run. With 342.1 innings played combined in right and center field in 40 games started (24 in right, 16 in center), he has no errors on 68 total chances. He also played 165.1 innings at first base this season with four errors on 142 total chances. He has also killed it at getting on base with a .463 wOBA on the season. Hartshorn has started six games as a DH. • Andy Garriola (Knoxville Smokies, OF) - With 379 innings played in all parts of the outfield this season, Garriola has no errors on 89 total chances in 44 games started (6 in left, 26 in center, 12 in right). On the offensive side, he has 16 walks in 190 at-bats, which displays solid plate discipline. He has 15 home runs, showing he has another hot bat in the Cubs organization. With 48 RBIs and 35 runs scored by himself, he is a contributor to run production for the Smokies. Garriola also gets on base a solid amount of times as shown by his .375 wOBA. Garriola has started eight games as a DH so far this season. • Kevin Alcántara (Iowa Cubs, OF/DH) - Alcántara has one of the best bats in Triple-A this season. He has 17 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 38 runs scored in 202 at-bats in 52 games. He has around a 36% strikeout percentage (73 on the season), which is very high and the only bad part of his offense, and nearly 15% of his at-bats have been walks for him (30 on the season). On the field, he only has one error in 427.1 innings played (82 in left, 150 in center, 195.1 in right) and 99 total chances. With a wOBA of .402, he has done a good job this season of getting on base. Alcántara has also started 3 games as a DH. View full article