Seven Cubs prospects are playing for the Mesa Solar Sox in the 2019 Arizona Fall League: Catcher Miguel Amaya (No. 2, MLB No. 90), shortstop Zack Short (No. 9), right-hander Erich Uelmen (No. 24), right-hander Scott Effross, left-hander Jordan Minch, right-hander Keegan Thompson and first baseman Jared Young.

MESA, Ariz. -- If Astros prospect J.J. Matijevic looks comfortable playing under the bright lights and hot sun in Arizona, it’s because he is. The former University of Arizona star is off to a strong start in Arizona Fall League play and on Friday, his hot bat led to a

CHICAGO -- It seemed fitting that Robel Garcia's first start in the Major Leagues came on Independence Day. This was the dream -- to play baseball on its biggest stage -- but it was so much more than that for Garcia. This was the end of a long road, and

SAN DIEGO -- The Cubs’ stopgap solution at shortstop just wouldn’t stop Monday night at Petco Park. Nico Hoerner, an unexpected callup even to himself, made his Major League debut a stylish one by collecting three hits and four RBIs to lead the Cubs to a 10-2 victory over the

While the Cubs battle to hold on to the National League's second Wild Card spot, they're having trouble keeping their shortstops healthy. As a result, Nico Hoerner will become the first player from the 2018 Draft to reach the big leagues. All-Star Javier Baez sustained a hairline fracture of his

SAN DIEGO -- The Cubs are not looking to Nico Hoerner as a savior for a season in the balance. The highly touted shortstop prospect was not even the team's plans until 2020 at the earliest. That was before a series of setbacks necessitated an altered and expedited timeline. Hoerner

MILWAUKEE -- His name was called seven spots ahead of Cubs star Javier Baez. Only one player -- Gerrit Cole -- was taken ahead of him. One pick later, Trevor Bauer came off the board. You know plenty of the other names from the first round of the 2011 MLB

ST. LOUIS -- The Cubs continued to reinforce their bullpen on Tuesday, reeling in right-hander David Phelps in a trade with the Blue Jays. The Cubs announced that they acquired Phelps and a cash consideration from Toronto in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Thomas Hatch, who was ranked No. 29

Brailyn Marquez was nothing short of dominant on Thursday as the Cubs’ No. 3 prospect led Class A South Bend to a 4-1 win over Lake County (Indians). Marquez spun the best start of his career as he surrendered just one hit and racked up 14 strikeouts, yes 14, over

The Cubs are closing in on a trio of top international prospects to add to their Minor League system. According to industry sources, the team has a deal with catcher Ronnier Quintero, ranked No. 6 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 International Prospects list, worth $2.9 million, along with pacts with

PITTSBURGH -- Adbert Alzolay's first Major League trouble spelled a tough night of pitching for the Cubs on Monday, as they surrendered 23 hits in an 18-5 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park. The lopsided contest ended up playing host to Daniel Descalso pitching in the seventh and Craig

CHICAGO -- Adbert Alzolay kept repeating the word amazing. Whether it was the moment he got the news or the phone call to his parents, or walking into the Cubs' clubhouse and seeing his last name stitched across the back of a Major League uniform, there has been a flood

The Cubs and their first selection in the 2019 MLB Draft, right-handed pitcher Ryan Jensen, have agreed to a contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the slot value for the 27th overall selection is $2,570,100. Jensen, 21, is out of Fresno State University, where he posted a

CHICAGO -- Ryan Jensen happened to check his phone shortly after the national anthem prior to Fresno State's regional game against Stanford on Monday. That is when the pitcher saw some messages congratulating him on being picked by the Cubs in the first round of the MLB Draft. "Then my

CHICAGO -- The theme of this year's Draft for the Cubs was power arms. It started with taking Fresno State pitcher Ryan Jensen in the first round and then continued throughout the three-day drafting process. Chicago grabbed seven arms in the first 10 rounds and finished with 22 pitchers total

CHICAGO -- Michael McAvene has heard about the pitching lab that the Cubs have at their complex in Arizona. He knows how the team's arms -- both big leaguers and prospects -- have worked to refine biomechanics or design pitches inside the building filled with high-speed cameras and pitch-tracking technology.

CHICAGO -- The Cubs knew that they would raise some eyebrows with their first-round pick in Monday night's MLB Draft. This is an organization that built the core of its World Series-caliber roster on polished position players, and this was an amateur pool full of options that fit that familiar

The Cubs are reaching a crucial point in their contention timeline. While the Major League club's window for another World Series trophy is open, the expiration date for the core group that has powered this impressive era on the North Side could be in the not-too-distant future. Barring contract extensions

CINCINNATI -- When Anthony Rizzo missed Sunday's game due to back tightness, Cubs pitcher Jon Lester was not going to miss an opportunity to toss a friendly verbal jab at the first baseman. "I told him I'm going to have a personal lineup going forward," Lester joked after his start

Talk about a kick save. Pitcher Javier Assad used his foot to pull off one of the unlikeliest assists you’ll ever see for Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach, a Cubs affiliate, on Friday. On a push bunt to the first-base side of the mound in the first inning, Assad initially

For many prospects, Spring Training offered the opportunity to make an impression in front of Major League staff. Now, with Minor League seasons in full swing, their challenge is to remain on those radars. While this may not be a time when clubs are seeking to make wholesale roster changes,

With the 2019 Minor League Baseball season getting underway, here's a look at where the Cubs' Top 30 prospects are starting the year. We also identify the prospect who just missed the Top 30 list, a player who didn't make the big league Opening Day roster but should make an

MESA, Ariz. -- Mark Zagunis has not yet received the call to the manager's office, but all the outfielder has to do is look around the Cubs' clubhouse to know where he stands. Barring any late additions, Zagunis will be given the vacant job on the team's bench and begin

MESA, Ariz. -- When it comes to drafting college position players in the first round, the Chicago Cubs don’t miss. Kris Bryant (2013), Kyle Schwarber (2014) and Ian Happ (2015) each made an expedited rise through the Minors en route to Wrigley Field, and all three have helped fuel the

MLB.com has been ranking each Major League organization's top prospects since 2011. Here are the preseason rankings for the Cubs from 2011-18:2011

1. Brett Jackson, OF
2. Trey McNutt, RHP
3. Chris Carpenter, RHP
4. Hayden Simpson, RHP
5. Josh Vitters, 3B
6. Jay Jackson, RHP
7. Rafael Dolls, RHP