Todd Johnson

What Might a Cubs Top Prospect List Look Like in 2023?

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On Thursday, MLB Pipeline published an article about which prospect on each team that they would be talking about quite a bit in 2023. I thought it was an interesting subject. For the Cubs, they picked Cristian Hernandez. That was a little surprising as I thought for sure it was going to be Ed Howard. Whether they think Ed Howard can make it to Chicago over the course of the next two summers is highly doubtful, but it got me thinking about who the Cubs top prospects would be in 2023.

Currently, the Cubs have a lot of young talent that can be best described as teenagers. There are few guys that are 20 and several that are 21 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Cub Prospect List.

So, I sat down at the computer and started going through the Cubs current top 30 list and eliminating guys I think will either be in Chicago by then or just about to Chicago. I expect Brennen Davis, Brailyn Marquez, and Chris Morel to arrive in 2022. They will probably be joined by Miguel Amaya and maybe even Chase Strumpf. Ryan Jensen and Kohl Franklin should be right on the edge of making it. Burl Carraway, Riley Thompson, and Michael McAvene would be interesting guys to see make it as flame-throwing relievers over the next year or two.

So, who does that basically leave us?
Ed Howard and Cristian Hernandez will probably be duking it out for the top spot along with fellow SS Reggie Preciado. OF Cole Roederer, OF Ismael Mena, C Ethan Hearn, and OF Owen Caissie could also be top 10 guys along with OF Jordan Nwogu. Pitcher Richard Gallardo, C Ronnier Quintero, and SS Kevin Made are three other young guys who could be top 10 Cubs in two years.

That would be a pretty good top 11, regardless of the order. I didn’t even get to SS Rafael Morel, SS Luis Verdugo, OF Yohendrick Pinango or C Moises Ballesteros. You could also throw in the Cubs’ number one draft picks in 2021 and 2022 to the pool. In addition, the Cubs are likely to go big in international free agency next year as long as there’s no international draft.

Looking at these groupings, that’s some serious talent heading to Chicago and more developing in the top 10 prospects. Still, it’s a list that is built heavily with position players. There’s only one starting starting pitcher and that’s Gallardo.

All this points out that the Cubs really are going to need to reload on pitching, especially young pitching.

ImageDJ Herz, Luke Little, Koen Moreno, Manuel Espinoza, Angel Gonzalez, and Tyler, Schlaffer are all untested teenage arms that bear watching in 2021. Add in Benjamin and Luis Rodriguez (not related) who are two young arms that will be pushing to make it to Myrtle Beach in 2021.

If pitcher Jeremiah Estrada gets healthy this year, he could be a top 10 guy. Joining him could be Yovanny Cruz and recent draft picks Chris Clarke and Josh Burgmann.

I feel like I just listed half of the system.

Come this summer, I wonder if the Cubs will invest a lot in high school arms in the draft. It’s probably the weakest part of the draft class, but the Cubs could find some guys to build around coming out of high school. Then again, it’s not really a market the Cubs have dabbled in a lot the past 10 years.

So, after some hemming and hawing about the list, I am just going to let it rip. If I am close, great. If not, you can say I told you so.

1. Cristian Hernandez
2. Ed Howard
3. Reggie Preciado
4. Kevin Made
5. Jordan Nwogu
6. 2021 #1 pick
7. Richard Gallardo
8. 2022 #1 pick
9. Cole Roederer
10. Ronnier Quintero
Just missed – Jeremiah Estrada and Ismael Mena

Thinking about this list made me realize that 2023 is not that far away and a lot of the Cubs’ top prospects are going to be graduating to the majors in the next two years, probably more so in 2022 than 2021. But the bigger picture is that a lot of guys have yet to prove themselves, especially in full season ball. Add in that it’s a deep list. This group of young prospects is going to be fun to watch this year. Things could be looking up by that 2023 date.

6 comments

  2. This is what my crystal ball says, very sunshiney:

    1 – Howard: More a formality as he’s already debuted and expected to be the starting SS headed into his age 21 season. By then he’s 6’3″ 215 of SS

    2 – Gallardo: By now checking at a healthy 6’3″ 230 for his age 21, he’s pushing the MLs featuring a power five pitch mix with command and control

    3 – Christian MacLeod – 2021 2nd rounder, late 2022 debut but prospect eligible in 2023, LHSP out of Miss St

    4 – Hernandez – A popular breakout candidate entering full season ball at 19, tons of raw power, still at SS but more confidence he’ll outgrow it now standing 6’5″. Getting compared to Eloy offensively

    5 – Quintero – Another popular breakout candidate after his own strong 2022 in MB, high confidence he can stay at the position, built like a tank at 6’3″ 220

    6 – 2022 first – Veeeeerrrry likely a college player expected to move fast

    7 – 2021 first – I think they go HSer again, probably a LHH MIF if they can find one. That guy is probably doing fine but tough system to rank high in

    8 – Preciado – By now a very unique prospect having played every position but catcher and 2B in the minors, considered the 1B of The Future (2024) as he preps for age 20 at AA at a sturdy, now 6’5″ 220, popular prospect

    9 – Kevin Made – Considered a strong defensive SS, draws comparisons to Orland Cabrera

    10 – Ismael Mena – Another popular breakout candidate after showing offensive skills reminiscent of Brandon Nimmo, still considered a strong OF defender

    On the cusp: Koen Moreno RHSP

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