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.”
Grand Junction Rockies name Bobby Jenks Manager
Grand Junction, Colorado "We are excited to welcome Bobby back for his second season in Grand Junction. We look forward to a terrific season ahead with him as our manager." Team President Mick Ritter said. Jenks replaces Jimmy Johnson, who retired following the season. "This is my first time stepping
Former MLB Manager and Current Billings Manager, Jim Riggleman, to Attend Pioneer League Tryout Camp in Tucson
Former Cubs, Nationals, and Mariners manager to address players at April 1-4 tryout camp
From The Big Leagues to Indy Ball
Last month the Billings Mustangs welcomed veteran MLB manager and coach Jim Riggleman as their 2022 field manager. The PBL sat down with Jim to discuss the unique and twisting path he’s taken in his baseball career, most recently from the New York Mets all the way to Billings. In
Cory Snyder Announced as Manager of the Northern Colorado Owlz
_Former Major League star and Olympian to lead Pioneer League team after managing in USA, Mexico, and Taiwan _
Mustangs Name Jim Riggleman Club Manager
Five-Time MLB Manager to Serve as Skipper for the Mustangs
The Pioneer League Partnering with Pecos League for Pre-Season Tryout Camp
A Conversation with Pioneer League President and Pecos League Commissioner
Missoula PaddleHeads Pitcher is Stepping up to the Big Leagues
The Missoula PaddleHeads are coming off of a pretty strong baseball season - you know, if you consider winning the Pioneer League championship to be a pretty strong season! The PaddleHeads played some great baseball for their debut season, and obviously, somebody in the major leagues is taking notice -
Pioneer Baseball League and TicketSmarter Announce Historic Naming Rights Agreement
First-Ever Pro Baseball League to Sell Naming Rights; TicketSmarter Acquires Secondary Ticketing Rights to PBL
Chukars Bring Back Gardner and Milacki
The Idaho Falls Chukars announced that manager Billy Gardner Jr. and pitching coach Bob Milacki will return to Idaho Falls for the 2022 Pioneer League season. Gardner and Milacki are tasked with assembling this season’s Chukars team as they were last season. In 2021 they led Idaho Falls to a
White Sox Sign Infielder Jason Matthews to Minor League Deal
The lockout hasn’t stopped the White Sox from making minor league moves, and it appears that they’ve made yet another one. This week, the White Sox signed infielder Jason Matthews to a minor league deal. This was first reported by Matthews himself during an appearance on the Auckland Tuatara baseball
Ridge Run Baseball Announces New Team Name
Ridge Run Baseball News - As its new stadium begins to take shape in the Flathead Valley, Ridge Run Baseball announces the much-anticipated team brand. Emphasizing the local history, scenery and culture, the Glacier Range Riders will make their debut this spring season. Inspired by early 20th-century outdoorsmen patrolling the
Pioneer League Baseball Making Its Way to the Flathead Valley
KALISPELL — Starting in 2022, the Flathead Valley will have a Pioneer League baseball team and tickets are already being sold for this season's home games. "We are accepting the season ticket deposits right now you can get those at Ridgerunbaseball.com and look for our team name, launch branding and
Ridge Run Baseball Signs More Players, Sells First Tickets
Until last week, Mike Knell didn’t know the Flathead Valley existed. He’s never been to Montana, and has only heard stories about the Last Best Place from a friend who recently moved to Bozeman. That all changed when he saw his phone flash “Montana” for an unknown number while awaiting
PaddleHeads Retain Schlact as Manager in 6 Year Contract Extension
Missoula, MT. – The Missoula PaddleHeads Professional Baseball Club took on a new challenge during the 2021 season its first season as an independent franchise. It could not have been a more successful first season taking on the new format as the PaddleHeads would take home the 2021 Pioneer League
Holy Cow! Former Missoula Timberjack Jim Kaat Reaches Baseball Hall of Fame
Hours after his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame was announced Sunday, Jim Kaat wrote to let me know he's hoping to get his old Missoula manager, Jack McKeon, at the ceremony in July. What a proud, proud moment for Zootown professional baseball. Long before Kaat earned legendary status
Voyagers Ben Norman Singed By Chicago White Sox
November 29, 2021 - Voyagers outfielder Ben Norman's contract has been bought by the Chicago White Sox. Norman will participate in Spring Training with the White Sox in 2022 and is the first player to be signed to an MLB team since the Voyagers went independent in 2020. Norman had
Pioneer Baseball League Announces Spring 2022 Tryout Camp
April 1-4 Camp in Tucson
Former Billings Mustang Jonathan India National League Rookie of the Year
It didn't feel like Randy Arozarena was a rookie this season. Tampa Bay's speedy and powerful outfielder certainly didn't play like one, either. Arozarena won AL Rookie of the Year honors with a superb follow-up to his 2020 postseason heroics while Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India earned NL Rookie
Pioneer League Concludes Annual Meetings
Dodgers EVP, Janet Marie Smith, Delivers Keynote Address; Kim Klages Johns named PBL Executive of the Year
PBL Announces Postseason Award Winners
All Star Team, Award Winners and Stats Champs Announced
Flathead Valley PBL Team Home Opener is June 14
The Pioneer Baseball League released its 96-game schedule Thursday, and the expansion Flathead Valley squad will have its home opener on June 14 against the Billings Mustangs. Ridge Run Baseball, which is operating the fledgling club, is in the process of building a stadium just off McDermott Lane, adjacent to
Construction Underway for Pioneer League Stadium
Erik Moore and Chris Kelly, with Ridge Run Baseball, stand atop a berm overlooking the development of a baseball stadium for Kalispell's new Pioneer League team located at the former Montana Raceway Park along Highway 93 on Wednesday, Nov 3. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Pioneer Baseball League Announces 2022 Schedule
MLB Partner League Launches 96 Game Schedule on May 23rd, Two New Teams Added
Stories from the Pioneer League: Robbie Baker
Interview with former pitcher for the Pioneer Baseball League: Robbie Baker
Cubs Ink INF Alejandro Rivero Out of Pioneer League
According to a report from baseball writer and BBWAA member Francys Romero, the Chicago Cubs have signed infielder Alejandro Rivero to a contract. Rivero played three seasons of college baseball at St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida and spent the 2021 season with the Boise Hawks of the Pioneer League.