Here are the Cubs' 2026 Top 30 prospects
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After tying the Mariners for the most Top 100 prospects (seven) a year ago at this time, the Cubs are down to just two. Matt Shaw and Cade Horton are established big leaguers, Owen Caissie went to the Marlins in a trade for Edward Cabrera, while James Triantos, Kevin Alcántara and Jefferson Rojas all lost some luster last season.
Offensive-minded catcher Moisés Ballesteros (No. 1) retains his Top 100 status and right-hander Jaxon Wiggins (No. 2) joined the club after finally adding some polish to go with his electric stuff. They headline a system that has thinned out considerably, especially in terms of pitching.
After Wiggins, Chicago's best mound prospects are 2025 draftees Kaleb Wing (No. 13) and Dominick Reid (No. 16), who have yet to make their pro debuts, and Brandon Birdsell (No. 17), who will miss this year after having reconstructive elbow surgery. With just nine pitchers on our new Top 30, the Cubs match the Guardians for the fewest in baseball.
Chicago has drafted well in recent years and hopes that its 2025 effort will go a long way toward replenishing its depth. Besides adding Wing and Reid, the Cubs spent their first two choices on outfielders Ethan Conrad (No. 3) and Kane Kepley (No. 6) and a sixth round-record $2 million on a third, Josiah Hartshorn (No. 8). A year from now, Conrad could be the system's top prospect, Kepley could be its best pure hitter and Hartshorn could be its best power hitter.
Here's a look at the Cubs' top prospects:
1. Moisés Ballesteros, C (MLB No. 55)
2. Jaxon Wiggins, RHP (MLB No. 58)
3. Ethan Conrad, OF
4. Kevin Alcántara, OF
5. Jefferson Rojas, SS/2B
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2025 preseason list to the 2026 preseason list.
Jump: Owen Ayers, C (2025: NR | 2026: 11)
He went from unknown 19th-rounder out of Marshall in 2024 to Arizona Fall League Breakout Player of the Year in 2025 while showing off plus-plus arm strength.
Fall: Fernando Cruz, SS/2B (2025: 9 | 2026: 30)
Signed for $4 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2024, he batted .165/.247/.316 with a 47.2 percent strikeout rate in his U.S. debut last year.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is plus and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Moisés Ballesteros (Kane Kepley)
Power: 55 -- Kevin Alcántara (Johan Geraldo, Josiah Hartshorn)
Run: 70 -- Brett Bateman
Arm: 70 -- Owen Ayers
Defense: 65 -- Ariel Armas (Brett Bateman)
Fastball: 70 -- Jaxon Wiggins
Curveball: 60 -- Grant Kipp
Slider: 60 -- Jaxon Wiggins
Changeup: 60 -- Dominick Reid
Control: 55 -- Brandon Birdsell
How they were built
Draft: 18 | NDFA: 1 | International: 10 | Trade: 1
Breakdown by ETA
2026: 9 | 2027: 6 | 2028: 8 | 2029: 2 | 2030: 3 | 2031: 2
Breakdown by position
C: 3 | 1B: 2 | 2B: 3 | 3B: 1 | SS: 6 | OF: 6 | RHP: 8 | LHP: 1