Cubs have MLB stars AND loaded farm system
MESA, Ariz. – It’s a testament to where a farm system is when a Top 100-caliber hitter gets traded away and there’s still a desire to tout the bats. The Cubs traded Cam Smith to the Astros in the Kyle Tucker deal, but they still have seven players on the
MESA, Ariz. – It’s a testament to where a farm system is when a Top 100-caliber hitter gets traded away and there’s still a desire to tout the bats.
The Cubs traded Cam Smith to the Astros in the Kyle Tucker deal, but they still have seven players on the Top 100, tied for the most in baseball. Six of them are position players and all but one -- even the pitcher among that septet -- could be ready to contribute to the big league team during the 2025 season. There’s a pool of talent collecting at the upper levels that should be a source to feed the big league roster and provide trade bait should the Cubs braintrust decide that big league pieces need to be acquired.
“I think it's generally a good thing and I think it speaks to the strength of our Major League team that we have, essentially, some blockades,” said Cubs farm director Jason Kanzler, now in his second season overseeing the system. “It's natural that they're going to eventually start pooling in Double-A and Triple-A. At the Trade Deadline, teams will probably want some guys that are big league ready, and if we have lots of big league ready players in Triple-A, that helps us a lot.”
Having a fairly set big league roster and then that reservoir of talent growing at the upper levels has another benefit. The Cubs can take their time with the next wave of talent coming through the pipeline. Much of that wave is several years away, but with exciting potential, with the organization's aggressive efforts on the international market providing an influx of talented -- albeit inexperienced -- players who may ultimately evolve into the next group of Top 100 types in this system.
“In the traditional sense, we have a huge amount of very young, high upside lottery tickets that we could consider exciting prospects,” Kanzler said. “Part of any great player development system is viewing all the players as the potential to be something that people don’t think they can be and that’s how we’re going to operate.
“We're going to treat these players and their timelines in whatever way is most beneficial to the Cubs and to their development. We definitely don't have that added pressure right now to push guys through the system to cover holes, because we don't have the holes up top.”
Camp standout: Alexey Lumpuy
Lumpuy was a bit of an afterthought, or at least a later one, during the 2023 international signing period. That opens in January, but the Cubs added Lumpuy in June, signing the Cuban outfielder for $90,000. He was already 18 and then spent two summers in the Dominican Summer League. He posted a .931 OPS in 2024, though at age 20, he was older for the level.
Now he’s in the United States for the first time in his life and the Cubs have been watching him carefully as he adjusts to a new culture and experiences Spring Training for the first time. They’ve liked what they’ve seen with that and with his development.
“He’s been an absolute gem, an extremely hard worker, invested in everything he does,” Kanzler said. “He’s made incredible progress in the last year and a half. He’s gotten way more physical.
“His English is improving at a rapid pace. He’s remained calm and composed during some of his live at-bats, even with Major League pitchers pitching on the back fields. He’s standing out in all the right ways. This is brand new for him. This is a lot, his first Spring Training. The way he’s been handling that, in addition to his development, has been really impressive.”
Breakout candidate: Cristian Hernandez
One of the top prospects in the 2020-21 international class, Hernandez (No. 11) got $3 million to sign in January '21. He’s yet to really live up to that hype, performing poorly in his first two seasons in the United States in '22 and '23. He did start showing glimpses of his tools in 2024, earning All-Star honors in the Single-A Carolina League in his second season at the level. He ended the year up in High-A for the first time and it should be noted that even with his slow development, he’ll only be 21 for all of the '25 season.
“He’s hyper talented and very, very young,” Kanzler said. “We almost overestimate or we assume these guys have to move super quick because at one point they were ultra-highly touted prospects.”
With a little success under his belt at Myrtle Beach last year, could Hernandez be ready to take a leap forward and produce like the prospect the industry thought he could be when he signed?
“He probably was a breakout candidate a couple of years ago. I’m seeing a lot of really, really positive developments in him as a person, the maturity, the work, the actual skill improvements,” Kanzler said. “The swing is getting tighter. He’s had some trouble in the past with good fastball velos. He understands what he needs to do, he’s very focused and more intentional with his work towards the things he needs to improve.”
Something to prove: Cade Horton
When Horton (No. 2/MLB No. 51), the Cubs’ first-rounder taken in '22, is on the mound, he’s very, very good. The only issue is that he’s not been on the mound nearly as much as either he or the Cubs would like him to be.
It goes back to his college days when he had Tommy John surgery in February of '21 at Oklahoma. He came back in time for the '22 postseason, which allowed him to rise into the first round, where the Cubs took him No. 7 overall and signed him to a below-slot deal. He was the organization’s Pitcher of the Year in '23, tossing 88 1/3 innings, and made it to Triple-A last year, but a shoulder injury ended his season after nine starts. It’s an odd dichotomy: Horton hasn’t pitched a ton, but he’s also very much a phone call away.
“In terms of pitching years, he’s very young,” Kanzler said. “He’s not accumulated a ton of time on the mound. At the same time, he is one very short step away from being in Chicago. It’s tricky. He’s going to have to learn to manage all those things.”
Early this spring, Kanzler was encouraged by how Horton looked. It wasn’t just about the stuff – that’s always been good – but more about how he owned the space as he started ramping up for the season ahead, a time when he’s going to have to prove he’s ready to take the ball regularly.
“There are some mechanical changes that seem to be sticking that we’re fairly confident will help him stay healthy,” Kanzler said. “I think he’s in a great spot. Getting a few lives under his belt was really good for him and his mentality. It kind of reaffirmed, ‘Not only can I do this, but I am very good, I’m dominant.’”
What’s new: Robert Kwiatkowski and his knuckleball
It was a transaction that likely fell under the radar. The Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft doesn’t receive much fanfare, and at the '24 Winter Meetings teams were very active, making 68 total selections in the phase. The Cubs took Kwiatkowski at No. 52 in the Minor League portion, the third round. He's a right-handed reliever who had reached Triple-A in '24, though he’s now 27 years old.
What makes Kwiatkowski interesting beyond his 2.86 ERA and .215 BAA in '24 is the relatively new addition to his repertoire. He started adding in a knuckleball last year and he’s still figuring out how to incorporate it. There’s no desire to turn him into Phil Niekro, but it does sound like there have been some productive pitch usage conversations since he joined the organization.
“I don’t think we want to make him a knuckleball pitcher,” Kanzler said. “It’s a tool in his tool belt. It’s not new, but there have been varying degrees of talk about how much he should throw it, depending on who he’s been with and how he should use it. The interesting thing is maybe in the way that we’re going to ask him to use it … without divulging too much.”
Experience Unforgettable Entertainmentwith the Lynchburg Hillcats
Lynchburg is more than just a great place to catch a baseball game; it keeps you close to other cultural highlights like top-tier Broadway shows and stand-up comedy performances. Whether you’re a theater enthusiast or a fan of gut-busting comedy, the city offers something for everyone. Don’t forget to use
Exciting Changes Happening at Bank of the James Stadium
The Lynchburg Hillcats are thrilled to announce several new changes coming to the ballpark for the 2025 season. With single game tickets on-sale today, fans can explore all the new additions to the organization, from our ownership down to our gameday operations. New to the club this year is Dylan
Manager Jordan Smith Headlines Several Returners to Field Staff
The Lynchburg Hillcats are excited to announce their field staff for the 2025 season. Jordan Smith will once again return as manager for this season. Also returning to the coaching staff are bench coach Erlin Cerda, hitting coach Cole Nieto, strength & conditioning coordinator Jack Baldwin, and athletic trainer Yuka
Key Events: Brought to you by the Hillcats
Key Events: Brought to you by the Hillcats Welcome to the Lynchburg Hillcats Entertainment Guide! This comprehensive guide gives you a rundown of the most exciting and prestigious sporting events around the world. Whether you're a fan of heart-pounding motorsports, thrilling team championships, or world-class individual sports, we've got you
Hillcats Avoid Sweep, Win Final Home Game of Season
The Hillcats avoided the sweep against the Carolina Mudcats by winning their final home game of the season, 6-2. After a rough series, the Hillcats were able to display much needed patience at the plate. In addition, solid pitching outings from Jackson Humphries and Jervis Alfaro, both going four innings
Hillcats Saturday Night Game Against Carolina Canceled
Saturday night’s game between the Lynchburg Hillcats and Carolina Mudcats has been canceled due to inclement weather. The game will not be made up and only one game will be played on Sunday afternoon, scheduled to start at 2 p.m. at Bank of the James Stadium. Fans with tickets to
Carolina Wins Series As Hillcats Slide Continues
Another frustrating night for the Lynchburg Hillcats would go in favor of the Carolina Mudcats as they fell by a score of 9-5 on Friday evening. The Hillcats did not pick up their first hit until the fifth inning but were trailing 4-1 at that point. With the win, the
Lackluster Performance Downs Lynchburg Against Carolina
The Lynchburg Hillcats pieced together a lackluster performance against the Carolina Mudcats, dropping the game 7-1 on Thursday night. Lynchburg would struggle at the dish, finishing with three hits and three walks. Through three games in this series, the Hillcats have only registered five walks, while coming into the series
'Cats Bats Go Quiet, Mudcats Down Lynchburg
The Carolina Mudcats buried the Lynchburg Hillcats 7-3 on Wednesday evening, further dampening their playoff chances. After a torrid start, both teams quieted down before the Mudcats found their groove late in the evening. Lynchburg would be strapped with six straight one-two-three innings during the night. The Mudcats erupted early
Heartbreaking Call Ends Hillcats Late Rally
A slow start hurt the Lynchburg Hillcats as they would drop the series opener to the Carolina Mudcats by a score of 3-2 on Tuesday evening. Lynchburg had to wait until the bullpen would enter the game before scratching a run across. However, a close and controversial call finalized the
Hillcats Announce 2025 Schedule and Ticketing Plans
The Lynchburg Hillcats are excited to announce their 2025 Regular Season Carolina League Schedule and Season Ticketing options. The 2025 season will feature a similar format to years past as the league will operate with six-game series throughout the season. Lynchburg will host 11 separate homestands featuring nine of the
Lynchburg Holds Off Late Wood Duck Rally to Win Five of Six
Lynchburg held off Down East late to win five-out-of-six over the Down East Wood Ducks by winning 4-3. Kyle Scott would pitch a second gem of the series, finishing with five strikeouts over six innings, only allowing one run. Another crucial error by Down East would open the door for
Hillcats Benefited by Early Error, Win Series Over Down East
A disastrous first inning for the Down East Wood Ducks carried the Lynchburg Hillcats to victory in Saturday evening’s game, winning 6-4. With the win, Lynchburg secured themselves a win of the series before the finale on Sunday afternoon. A three extra-base hit by Ryan Cesarini carried Lynchburg as he
Down East Holds Off Lynchburg In Marathon
The Down East Wood Ducks held off the Lynchburg Hillcats on Friday night by a score of 5-3. The game began after an hour-long rain delay, cooling off both pitchers. When action began, Down East took advantage of the delay and attacked Jogly Garcia. For the third straight night, the
Hillcats Miraculous Comeback Completed by Francisca Walk-Off
The Lynchburg Hillcats completed a miraculous comeback against the Down East Wood Ducks on Thursday evening, winning 10-9 in extra innings. Lynchburg trailed by as many as seven before they marched their way back into the ballgame. A five-run eighth inning tied up the game, allowing for the walk-off victory
Merejo's Three Hits Carry Lynchburg Over Down East
Lynchburg squeaked by Down East after a late inning push, winning 6-3 on Wednesday night. The Hillcats and Wood Ducks would trade blows throughout the early part of the ballgame, with neither team able to pull ahead. However, a 3-5 night from Luis Merejo would power Lynchburg to victory. The
Lynchburg Shuts Out Down East in Series Opener
The Lynchburg Hillcats shut out the Down East Wood Ducks 4-0 on Tuesday evening, continuing where they left off down in Fayetteville. It was a dominant pitching performance from Kyle Scott and the rest of the Hillcats as they limited the Wood Ducks to four hits. Scott would pick up
Lynchburg Drops Heartbreaker to Fredericksburg on Sunday
The Lynchburg Hillcats dropped a heartbreaker to the Fredericksburg Nationals 6-5 on Sunday afternoon. The Hillcats had the lead up until the seventh inning when the wheels fell off on Jack Jasiak as he surrendered five runs in the frame to surrender the lead. Lynchburg struck first in the second
Hillcats Swipe Rain-Shortened Game From Nationals
The Lynchburg Hillcats stole a partial game victory from the Fredericksburg Nationals after the game was called in the fifth inning with Lynchburg leading 3-0. It was a race against the clock the entire night after an hour-long rain delay slowed the beginning of the game. Almost an hour-and-a-half later
Hillcats Wait Too Long, Rally Falls Short Again Against Fredericksburg
For the second straight night, the Lynchburg Hillcats late rally fell short to the Fredericksburg Nationals as they dropped game four, 5-4. Travis Sykora pitched a gem for the Freddies, throwing five innings of no-hit baseball. By the time Lynchburg made their run in the eighth, they had a long,
Hillcats Rally Falls Short as Nationals Hold Off for Win
The Lynchburg Hillcats dropped their first game of the series to the Fredericksburg Nationals by a score of 9-7 on Thursday night. It was a rough debut for Jogly Garcia, who surrendered six earned runs in just over three innings of work. The Nationals struck him early as Cristhian Vaquero
Bats Awaken as Hillcats Knock Off Fredericksburg
The Lynchburg Hillcats found their stride in a 7-3 victory over the Fredericksburg Nationals on Wednesday evening. In one of the most complete games for Lynchburg in the second half, the Hillcats picked up 11 hits without committing any errors, all while limiting the damage from the Nationals. However, the
Lynchburg Stuns Nationals Behind Depleted Pitching Staff
Behind a depleted pitching staff, the Lynchburg Hillcats walked-off the Fredericksburg Nationals by a score of 5-4 on Tuesday evening. The drama began before the game even began with two former Hillcats players being traded to the Nationals yesterday. Then, to add to the tension, the Hillcats scheduled starting pitcher,
Hillcat Duo Impresses on National Stage at MLB Futures Game
Jaison Chourio and Ralphy Velazquez impressed in their MLB All-Star Futures Game debuts on Saturday afternoon at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas with the National League winning 6-1. Playing for the American League, the Lynchburg Hillcat duo showed out in front of a national audience on MLB Network. Chourio,
Hillcats End Skid, Score Late to Defeat Delmarva
The Lynchburg Hillcats snapped their three-game skid by defeating the Delmarva Shorebirds 4-2 on Thursday evening. Juan Benjamin continued his tear through the month of July, piecing together a 4-4 afternoon with two doubles and an RBI. He is hitting above .500 since the calendar flipped over. The Hillcats struck