Get ready for an exciting journey as we dive into the world of baseball and uncover the top prospects for the Chicago Cubs in 2026! This is a story of potential, talent, and the future of the game.
The Cubs have been busy, trading and graduating some of their top prospects over the past year. With players like Matt Shaw and Cade Horton already making their mark in the majors, and others moving to new teams, the Cubs' farm system has taken a hit in depth. However, this also means that some exciting young talents are now ready to shine and lead the way.
The Future Stars of the Chicago Cubs
Let's meet the top 20 prospects for the Cubs in 2026, starting with the player who has the most upside in the entire system:
Kevin Alcántara, Outfielder: Standing at an impressive 6'6" and with a lanky build, Alcántara is a true power hitter. Despite battling a sports hernia last season, he still managed to showcase his immense potential. With a max exit velocity of 112.3 mph, he has the ability to hit over 30 homers and drive in plenty of runs. Alcántara is also a plus runner and defender in center field, although the Cubs might not need him there right away. With his size and potential, he could be a two-way star, but he'll need to take that next big step in his development soon.
Moisés Ballesteros, Catcher/First Baseman: Ballesteros might not have the typical physique of a baseball player, but his hitting ability is undeniable. With excellent hand-eye coordination, he can hit pitches out of the zone and has a good eye for the strike zone. Although he might not stick behind the plate, his surprising ability at first base could be a valuable asset. Expect Ballesteros to hit for a high average with some pop, potentially becoming a solid regular at first base.
Jefferson Rojas, Shortstop: Rojas signed with the Cubs in 2022 and has shown steady improvement. After skipping the Arizona Complex League, he excelled in Low A, hitting .278/.378/.492 in 2025. He's stronger and more experienced now, making excellent swing decisions and rarely striking out. Rojas is a good fastball hitter, and his power could develop further, potentially becoming a 25-homer guy. His feel for the strike zone is a key strength, and he's expected to perform even better this year.
Jaxon Wiggins, Right-Handed Pitcher: Wiggins ramped up his innings last year, but his control and command still need work. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 and has been managed carefully since. When healthy, he sits at 96-98 mph with a plus slider and an above-average changeup. Despite his impressive velocity, his lack of efficiency might limit him to five or six innings per outing.
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Pedro Ramirez, Second Baseman/Third Baseman: Ramirez is a consistent contact hitter with a high floor. He makes a lot of contact by design, but this also limits his power potential. With improved exit velocities, he could become a good utility infielder, handling shortstop in emergencies.
Jostin Florentino, Right-Handed Pitcher: Florentino has shown significant improvement, adding about 5 mph to his fastball. His slider is already an outpitch, with impressive spin rates and late horizontal movement. He needs to develop more velocity to be a true starter, but his foundation is solid.
Jonathon Long, First Baseman: Long is a patient hitter who makes hard contact but might be too passive at the plate. He has strong exit velocities but needs to pull the ball in the air more to translate that into big power. With his ability to draw walks and hit for average, he could be a regular first baseman.
James Triantos, Second Baseman/Outfielder: Triantos has excellent contact rates but needs to improve his swing decisions. He chases too many pitches out of the zone and doesn't swing enough at strikes. With better swing decisions, he could become an everyday player.
Owen Ayers, Catcher: Ayers is a special case, as he only became a full-time catcher in 2024. He has a plus arm and power potential, but his age (25 in June) means he needs to develop quickly.
Kane Kepley, Outfielder: Kepley is a plus runner and defender in center field with excellent contact skills. His power is comparable to a CR 2032 battery, a reliable but not overpowering source of energy. He was taken in the second round last year and could be a valuable fourth outfielder.
Josiah Hartshorn, Outfielder: Hartshorn was signed for a well-above-slot bonus and is an extreme hitter for contact. He already shows 55-60 power and has good bat speed. He might end up in an outfield corner, so his bat will be under pressure.
Juan Cabada, Second Baseman/Third Baseman: Cabada could be the next Pedro Ramirez but with better contact quality and more upside. He has an excellent feel for the ball and a swing with enough length to anticipate average power as he fills out.
Dominick Reid, Right-Handed Pitcher: Reid has impressive velocity (up to 96 mph) and a plus changeup. However, his lack of a third pitch and average breaking ball might limit him to a two-pitch starter or a reliever.
Kaleb Wing, Right-Handed Pitcher: Wing pitches at 92-94 mph with a 55 curveball. He has good command and a compact delivery, but his narrow frame might limit his ability to stick as a starter.
Grant Kipp, Right-Handed Pitcher: Kipp, a Yale graduate, reached Double A last year but needs to improve his control. He has a full pitch mix and no platoon split, which could make him a valuable reliever.
Kade Snell, Outfielder: Snell, a grad student at Alabama, has excellent contact quality but lacks power. He needs to finish this year in Double A and improve his swing path to unlock his potential.
Koen Moreno, Right-Handed Pitcher: Moreno has had elbow problems and underwent Tommy John surgery, keeping him out for over a year. He has three pitches and some control, but it's relief-only for him.
Ty Southisene, Second Baseman: Southisene, the Cubs' fourth-round pick in 2024, has a high baseball IQ and good feel for the zone. He has 30 power potential but might be limited by his height and frame. He can definitely play second base and has the potential to be a utility player.
Pierce Coppola, Left-Handed Pitcher: Coppola, a redshirt junior, has an impressive frame (6'8") and good deception. He needs to get stronger, but with an above-average slider, he has the potential to be a valuable left-handed reliever.
Impact Players for 2026
Ballesteros is expected to get regular playing time with the Cubs, as his bat is certainly ready for the majors. Alcántara should start the year in Triple A but will be called up if there's an injury in the outfield.
The Fallen and the Sleeper
Nazier Mulé, a hard-throwing high school righty, received a $1 million signing bonus in 2022 but has struggled with control since returning from Tommy John surgery.
As for the sleeper, Josiah Hartshorn could be a surprise contender. With his feel for hitting and understanding of the strike zone, he could have a strong debut in Low A and push for a top 100 ranking.
So, there you have it! The Chicago Cubs' top 20 prospects for 2026 are a mix of power hitters, contact specialists, and promising pitchers. Who do you think will make the biggest impact? Let's discuss in the comments and share our predictions for the future stars of the Cubs!
