AYERS NAMED BASEBALL AMERICA’S CUBS MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Iowa Cubs catcher Owen Ayers was tabbed the 2026 Chicago Cubs Minor League Player of the Year according to Baseball America.

Ayers, 25, began the season with Advanced-A South Bend and was promoted to Double-A Knoxville on April before joining the I-Cubs on July 17. Between the three stops, Ayers hit .289 (129-for-447) with 80 runs, 29 doubles, 25 home runs, 82 RBI and 82 walks.

He ranked among Cubs minor league leaders in home runs (1^st), runs (3^rd), RBI (4^th), walks (4^th) and doubles (T-4^th). He was one of three players in the minor leagues to have at least 25 homers, 82 RBI and 82 walks.

Ayers was selected in the 19th round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft by the Chicago Cubs out of Marshall University. According to MLB.com, the Florida native is rated as the Cubs second ranked prospect.