Chicago Cubs 2023 Top 30 Prospects

About Our Top 30 Lists

The evaluation team has painstakingly worked every detail of the forthcoming list. We’ve incorporated our live looks, watched hours of film, consulted with industry folk, and combed through too many data sets to count. This process is much the same for each team we’ll be covering this offseason, and it’s led to what we consider to be our best work yet.

The list is organized by and utilizes the Overall Future Projection (OFP) scale. Although there is no empirical method for ranking or classifying prospects, this method is as close as possible. Prospects are scored on the traditional 20-80 scale, with a 20 representing a non-prospect and a 70 or 80 representing an elite, MVP-caliber player. These are the two extremes, with most prospects occupying something in between. A 50 OFP means we project that player to be a future average big leaguer, while a 55 or 60 OFP means they’re a future above-average or all-star player. Most prospects, however, tend to project in the 40 or 45 OFP range, which are below-average or specific role players, such as utility players or low-leverage relievers.

Sometimes these grades will be more aggressive, while others will be conservative. We’ve included a “Risk” component to help differentiate between these situations. We’ve done our best to apply these grades and risk components relative to all prospects both within and outside of each organization. It’s also important to note that players grow or regress year-to-year, and we’ve also incorporated where these players were ranked on last year’s list.

Below you'll find the top 10 players in the system with full reports of the top 5. The full rankings and reports on all top 30 prospects per team will be available on our Patreon at the 55-tier ($5 level) as we publish them. If you're into fantasy baseball, this tier also gets you the dynasty show, the FYPD list, and the MiLB Daily Sheet during the regular season.

1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF - 60 OFP

Age: 21 Highest Level: A+
2022 Pre-season Rank: 2 OFP: 55

PHYSICAL Crow-Armstrong has a compact and explosive frame that’s a similar build to an NFL slot receiver. He has quick twitch athleticism and present strength throughout the frame, and he’s one of the best overall outfield athletes in the minors that still shows some projection remaining.

STRENGTHS Crow-Armstrong is an absolute game breaking defender in the outfield with impeccable routes to the ball paired with double-plus speed and confidence to attack balls moving in all directions. His arm shows both above-average accuracy and carry. He won a minor league Gold Glove in his first full pro season. He also offers a healthy combination of barrel control and bat speed that play exceptionally well in his all-fields approach. He flashes some above-average power to the pull-side and showed an ability to tap into every bit of his power without selling out. As well as his speed plays defensively, it may also be the strongest tool going forward in Crow-Armstrong’s bat. He’s a short strider that reaches top speed extremely quickly, and he could be a 20+ stolen base candidate annually with added extra base pressure on every ball hit into the outfield.

WEAKNESSES As Crow-Armstrong makes his way into the upper minors and against more consistent quality pitching, improvements in chasing pitching outside of the zone will be the biggest area of concern. Improved patience against breaking balls early in counts will help remove a good bit of the weak contact in his game.

SUMMARY After playing just a handful of games in 2021, Crow-Armstrong looked every bit of the five-tool player that made him a first round pick in 2020. A true double-plus defender in center field gives the Harvard-Westlake product an easy path to the big leagues, but it’s the bat that could push Crow-Armstrong into all-star potential. There's a real chance to see him patrolling the friendly confines within the next two years.

EVALUATOR Ian Smith

2. Kevin Alcantara, OF - 55 OFP

Age: 20 Highest Level: A
2022 Pre-season Rank: 4 OFP: 50

PHYSICAL Alcantara possesses a tall, slender frame with limbs for days. He’s an electric athlete with some room still left on the frame, although he already has plenty of strength. He toned down a leg kick trigger during the season and has seen positive results, including cutting down on swing and miss.

STRENGTHS Alcantara has power to all fields and can get to it on both fastballs and offspeed pitches. He generates power with good shoulder-hip separation, which also helps him to successfully turn on pitches on the inner half. His hands are good enough to wait back when he recognizes offspeed pitches. He’s shown good zone recognition and an ability to draw walks throughout his career. He runs well, which helps on the defensive side of the ball, and he’s shown instinct to steal bases, too. He’s got the skills to stick in center field long term.

WEAKNESSES His long limbs will ensure some swing and miss in his game throughout his career. He showed improvements in pitch recognition and accessing power to all fields, however being tested against better arms will determine if those are tangible improvements. There’s still some risk involved, despite the coming out party in 2022.

SUMMARY There’s a huge ceiling here for the electric outfielder. He’s burst onto the scene in a big way since being traded from the Yankees to the Cubs. He has the skills to be an offensive force, especially if his hit tool winds up being average. He’ll always be power-over-hit, but that’s not an indictment on his hit tool. He also has a very good chance to remain in center field. This is the kind of player who just makes fun things happen on a baseball field. There’s plenty of risk, but the upside is among the highest in the Cubs system.

EVALUATOR Trevor Hooth

3. Cade Horton, RHP - 55 OFP

Age: 21 Highest Level: NCAA
2022MLB Draft Rank: 12

PHYSICAL Horton possesses a lean frame with some bulk to his lower half. He has excellent arm strength and utilizes a high three-quarters arm slot with an easy delivery. His stride is short and there’s not too much extension.

STRENGTHS Originally a two-way player at Oklahoma, Horton utilized a very strong run down the stretch to Omaha to surge up draft boards with a dynamic arsenal. The fastball will sit in the mid-90s, touching 98 MPH, with serious riding action and some cut at times. The pitch plays extremely well up in the zone. The slider is the primary breaking pitch, a mid-80s pitch that touches 90 MPH with two-plane tilt and bite, and he can manipulate the shape. The harder version has more two-plane movement, while the slower version is more of a gyro pitch. The curveball is thrown hard in the high-70s to low-80s with great depth and spin. The changeup has potential, as it is thrown in the high-80s with firm movement and good location. He showcased good command down the stretch and was outright dominant in Omaha.

WEAKNESSES There’s not much of a track record to Horton in college, as he was sidelined during his freshman year at Oklahoma due to Tommy John surgery and only pitched 53 innings last year. With that comes durability concerns. The changeup also needs some refinement in terms of movement.

SUMMARY Horton is likely only scratching the surface of what he’s capable of on the mound. While there’s not much of a track record, Horton took advantage of a decimated college pitching class and performed excellently at the best possible time. There’s middle-of-the-rotation potential right now. He’ll likely begin his career in either Single-A or High-A in 2023.

EVALUATOR Tyler Jennings

4. Brennen Davis, OF - 50 OFP

Age: 23 Highest Level: AAA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 1 OFP: 60

PHYSICAL Davis remains tall and lean with room to grow. He’s a long-levered athlete with two-way potential, and he’s a high character prospect who has strong baseball acumen. He dealt with back injuries during the 2022 season, and those are something that can linger for a long time.

STRENGTHS Davis has plus bat speed, and the ball jumps off that bat when he makes quality contact. He’s shown the potential to be an extra-base machine, and his raw power is plus. He should be able to get to it if he makes consistent contact. He generally has a quality approach at the plate, and he’s capable of working counts and drawing walks. Davis has pretty evenly split his time across all three outfield positions, and he should be an average or better defender wherever he ends up. He moves gracefully with plus speed when he’s healthy and can cover a lot of ground as a result. His arm is plus and fits well in right field.

WEAKNESSES Davis battled injuries and ineffectiveness throughout the entirety of 2022. He’s seen his strikeouts rise since reaching the upper minors, and he made too many poor swing decisions on pitches off the plate in 2022. There were instances where he looked wholly uncomfortable in the box, which could have been tied to his back injury or lack of confidence while mired in a slump. Velocity away gave him fits, and he simply swung through too many pitches. He didn’t move with the same explosiveness that he had in the past, and he wasn’t a threat on the base paths or in the outfield. His health will be an ongoing question, as will his bat-to-ball skills.

SUMMARY Davis has seen his stock drop over the last calendar year, and 2022 was essentially a lost season. He still possesses among the most upside in the entire organization, but there is far more risk involved than before. He will need to make more consistent contact and remain healthy to fulfill his promise. He has the talent to overcome all of his deficiencies and once again emerge as an elite prospect.

EVALUATOR Jake Kerns

5. Hayden Wesneski, RHP - 50 OFP

Age: 25 Highest Level: MLB
2022 Pre-season Rank: 5 (NYY) OFP: 50

PHYSICAL Wesneski is tall and broad with a filled out frame. His delivery is repeatable, and he throws from a traditional three-quarters arm slot. He lands softly, although there is a tendency to fall off toward first base.

STRENGTHS Wesneski has a starter’s repertoire that includes five distinct pitches. He throws both a sinker and a four-seam fastball, and he incorporates both with similar frequency. His four-seamer was more successful in his big league debut, but both pitches feature deception and are legitimate pitches against righties. He also infrequently incorporates an average cutter that works in the upper-80s. His best pitch is a plus slider that has two-plane movement. He regularly utilizes its natural sweeping action away from righties, although he is also capable of backdooring and running it inside to lefties. He shows a feel for a changeup that has arm-side fade. He’s capable of throwing all of his pitches for strikes, and his command projects as above-average overall. He does well to keep the ball on the ground.

WEAKNESSES Wesneski primarily uses three pitches against righties, often abandoning his cutter and changeup entirely. This can lead to some predictability in the overall pitch mix, although he generally makes up for it with quality command. He scrapped an ineffective curveball once he reached the big leagues. There’s still some work to be done in terms of improving the consistency of his changeup and cutter.

SUMMARY Wesneski fits the mold of a traditional backend starter, although there’s perhaps a touch more upside if he taps into a bit more velocity or improves his changeup. It’s not overwhelming stuff as a whole, but he has quality pitchability and a putaway pitch in his slider. His control and command help drive the profile, and he should be a relatively safe bet to help the big league club in 2023.

EVALUATOR Jake Kerns

6. Porter Hodge, RHP - 50 OFP

Age: 22 Highest Level: A+
2022 Pre-season Rank: Unranked

Risk: High

Fastball: 60
Curveball: 45
Slider: 55
Changeup: 55
Command: 45

PHYSICAL  Hodge has a big pitcher's frame that’s filled out. He reportedly lost weight and slimmed down prior to the 2022 season. He moves well on the mound, and there’s some effort in the delivery.  He throws from a three-quarters slot.

STRENGTHS  Hodge has the potential for three above-average offerings. His fastball is his most consistent and best pitch right now. He appears to be a natural supinator, so he gets some cutting life on his fastball. That natural movement helps him throw a sweepy slider that flashes plus. It’s his best secondary at the moment. He also found a new changeup grip late in the season, and it plays about as well as his slider. It has deception and can generate a lot of armside run. On top of that, he has a decent curveball and feel to use this whole arsenal. He’ll use any of his four pitches in any count.

WEAKNESSES  Command of his secondaries is a big question. He has a tendency to leave those pitches over the middle of the plate, and that also extends to missing the zone. He walked batters at a high rate last season. His curveball flashes but is inconsistent. There may be body maintenance concerns after reportedly dropping weight prior to the 2022 season.

SUMMARY  This is a profile that could produce four pitches, three of which are above-average or better. His curveball is a fringe pitch that flashes average. That’s quite the arsenal to work with for a former 13th round pick. He’s done nothing but work to improve since becoming a professional, and reports say he got in better shape before last season. He quietly broke out in a big way. If the command comes to fruition, Hodge is a potential rotation arm for the Cubs.

EVALUATOR  Trevor Hooth

7. Cristian Hernandez, SS - 50 OFP

Age: 19 Highest Level: CPX
2022 Pre-season Rank: 3 OFP: 55

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 50
Field: 50
Arm: 60
Run: 55

PHYSICAL  Hernandez has above-average height and is lean through the body. He’s filled out some since signing, but there’s plenty of room for added strength and that growth will be key to his development. He’s a good athlete who receives high remarks for his baseball intelligence.

STRENGTHS  Hernandez has a quiet swing that is capable of generating all-field contact. He shows a feel for spin and is able to lay off difficult breaking balls out of the zone. He has present bat speed, and he posted plus-plus exit velocities as an 18-year-old. Hernandez has room to grow into plus raw power, but he has more of a contact-oriented swing that may only allow his power to play closer to average during games. He makes a good amount of contact for his age, and a lot of that is attributable to his bat staying through the zone throughout his swing. Hernandez is a quality shortstop who also took reps at second base in 2022. He has a plus arm with zip across the infield, and all of the components are in place for him to remain on the left side of the infield. He’s an above-average runner who will keep pitchers honest on the basepaths.

WEAKNESSES  Hernandez is young, and his approach is pretty fringy at the moment. He has a slight tendency to chase out of the zone, which can both lead to swing and miss and suboptimal contact. There’s also some passivity on pitches in the zone and, when he does swing, he doesn’t consistently create quality contact.

SUMMARY  Hernandez didn’t quite live up to the lofty expectations in his stateside debut, but he managed to flash the ability that made him an elite international signing in 2021. He’ll need to continue to grow into his frame and improve his approach, but the underlying ability exists for him to become an impact big leaguer.

EVALUATOR  Jake Kerns

8. Ben Brown, RHP - 50 OFP

Age: 23 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: Unranked (PHI)

Risk: High

Fastball: 60
Slider: 60
Changeup: 50
Command: 45

PHYSICAL  Brown is an imposing presence on the mound with an athletic build. Although he stands tall, he has a short stride that he has to overcome with a slightly violent delivery. He releases his pitches from an over-the-top slot.

STRENGTHS  Brown mostly works with both of his plus pitches: a fastball and slider. The big righthander moves the live fastball well north and south, and it particularly plays well up in the zone against hitters. He plays the slider off his fastball and tries to bury it off the zone. The pitch has sharp glove-side run and good bite. It is especially devastating against lefties when he is able to locate it near their back-foot. His curveball has decent sweep and depth and flashes average potential. It’s currently his clear third offering.

WEAKNESSES  At times, Brown gets out of sync with his mechanics and pulls his pitches, especially his breaking balls, to the gloveside. As the game goes on, this issue seems more prevalent. Moreover, his feel for his curveball needs to improve and, ideally, he could add more separation between it and his slider. Of his three offerings, it is his least consistent. Earlier in the season, he threw a changeup, but seemed to scrap it later on in the year. To become a reliable starter in the future, he will need to improve his command and consistency while also improving the offerings beyond his fastball and slider.

SUMMARY  After getting dealt to the Cubs for David Robertson, Brown performed well following a bump to Double-A. The righthander found his success with his plus fastball and slider, while also flashing an average curveball. If he continues to build on his success, he may end up as an above-average starter. At the moment, though, there is a risk he ends up as a reliever if he does not develop the curveball or sharpen his command and consistency. Regardless, Chicago should be happy with its haul for a couple of months of Robertson.

EVALUATOR  Daniel Garcia

9. Jordan Wicks, LHP - 45 OFP

Age: 23 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 5 OFP: 50

Risk: Low

Fastball: 50
Curveball: 45
Slider: 45
Changeup: 60
Command: 60

PHYSICAL  Wicks has a stereotypical major league starter’s frame. His delivery is low-effort and easy to repeat, and he looks the part of a workhorse starter.

STRENGTHS  Command is the biggest strength in this profile and why Wicks will find a long term role in a major league rotation. The changeup stands out in particular due to his elite command over it. He throws a ton of pitches in the shadow zone and very rarely misses up or to the gloveside. He has feel to zone his curveball and slider, and his fastball is typically where he wants it to be.

WEAKNESSES  Wicks does not throw hard. His fastball averages just 92.5 MPH and plays below that due to poor extension. The fastball also has very average movement and a somewhat high release. The changeup is extremely dominant, but the shape is actually very average with below-average horizontal movement and above-average but not elite depth. His sweeping slider doesn’t perform like a slider as it has an in-zone swing rate over 80% and still doesn’t get chases. It’s been an exceptionally weak contact pitch, but it’s difficult to know how sustainable that will be at the next level. The curveball performs the same function except it’s thrown more against righthanders, whereas the slider is used against lefthanders.

SUMMARY  Wicks has below-average stuff as a whole that limits his upside. However, his command is still good enough to see him regularly start games in the majors. There are some concerns that his tendency to throw all of his pitches in the bottom half will make him predictable, but command always plays and Wicks is truly great at locating all four of his pitches. It’s a nontraditional and kind of boring profile for this era, but Wicks is a pretty safe major league starter.

EVALUATOR  Tieran Alexander

10. Alexander Canario, OF - 45 OFP

Age: 22 Highest Level: AAA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 14 OFP: 45

Risk: High

Hit: 45
Power: 60
Field: 55
Arm: 60
Run: 45

PHYSICAL  Canario has above-average height and a wide frame. There’s plenty of strength in his upper and lower half, and it’s the kind of frame that typecasts players into a corner slugger role. He’s athletic for his size without much remaining projection. Looks like a big leaguer. Canario suffered a broken ankle and shoulder dislocation during a winter league game, and there are some general unknowns about his timeline to return.

STRENGTHS  Canario has big, potentially double-plus raw power, and he consistently got to it during games in 2022. He swings with force, but the mechanism itself is easy without much load. He hits the ball hard, and it’s loud contact at the point of impact. He posted double-plus exit velocities in 2022, and more of his power started to play to all fields. He has a quality approach that includes an understanding of the strike zone and an ability to make good swing decisions. Canario has experience all over the outfield, and he actually spent a majority of his time in centerfield until he reached Triple-A. He’s a good athlete who takes solid routes, and his strong, plus arm plays extremely well in right field. He’s an average runner when underway, although he might lose half a step with age.

WEAKNESSES  Canario can pulverize fastballs, but he has some work to do against quality breaking balls. His bat-to-ball skills are pretty fringy, and he takes some big hacks at the plate. His aggressiveness can lead to his mechanics being out of synch, although he’s made strides. His improvements at the plate are notable, but there are still some questions about how well he’ll do against top-shelf pitching. 

SUMMARY  Canario has significant power potential and legitimate starting-level upside, but there are enough questions about his hitting ability to create pause. The unfortunate injury during winter league only adds more risk. He’s a high-variance prospect.

EVALUATOR  Jake Kerns

11. Matt Mervis, 1B - 45 OFP

Age: 24 Highest Level: AAA
2022 Pre-season Rank: Unranked

Risk: High

Hit: 45
Power: 55
Field: 45
Arm: 55
Run: 40

PHYSICAL  Mervis is tall with a wide frame. He has thick quads and a big butt, and there’s significant strength in his shoulders and arms. He’s not overly athletic, but he moves well for his size. He has strong baseball knowledge and plays with moxy.

STRENGTHS  Mervis has above-average bat speed and a swing that is designed to get the ball in the air. His stance is balanced, and he’s direct to the ball. He has a quality, line-drive approach and the bat-to-ball skills to match. There’s some force behind his swing, and he’s capable of making hard and loud contact. He has plus raw power, and he consistently gets to it to his pull-side. He excels against velocity over the heart and outer half of the plate, and he regularly produces power when he gets those pitches. Mervis has a strong arm that would fit at third base or in the outfield, although he split his time between first base and designated hitter in 2022. There’s some work to do on the defensive side of the ball, but he has the components to stay at first base. 

WEAKNESSES  Mervis has a harder time against velocity on the inner half, although he’s shown an ability to make adjustments at the plate. He has a slight tendency to swing early in the count, and that can result in suboptimal contact or simply put him behind in the count. The same applies for his tendency to chase off the plate. Mervis is a large human and is probably confined to first base as a result. He’s a below-average runner and lacks grace around the bag.

SUMMARY  Mervis was the breakout player in the organization in 2022, and he put himself on the map for the Cubs in 2023. He has the power to profile at first base, but there are still some questions surrounding his defense and whether he can handle big league pitching. He projects best as a second-division starter until those questions are answered, but the talent exists for him to be something more.

EVALUATOR  Jake Kerns

12. Caleb Kilian, RHP - 45 OFP

Age: 25 Highest Level: MLB
2022 Pre-season Rank: 5 OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 55
Cutter: 50
Curveball: 50
Changeup: 45
Command: 50

PHYSICAL  Kilian is tall and lean with a frame that would support more mass in his upper half, although he’s in his mid-20s and does not need to fill out to add velocity. He has strong quads that he uses to drive off the mound, and he throws from a high three-quarters slot with clean mechanics. His motion is easy and repeatable.

STRENGTHS  Kilian has a deep, fastball-dominant arsenal. He throws both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, and he often incorporates a cutter. His two-seam fastball is used most often, but it is thrown with less firmness than the four-seam and generates less whiffs. It has solid arm-side run. His four-seam fastball has been up to 98 MPH with ride. Kilian likes to throw his cutter up in the zone, and the pitch is largely used to set up his two reworked offspeed pitches. His new spike curve has big 12/6 action that generates strikes when he’s locating it. The pitch is inconsistent, but it flashes above-average-to-plus in terms of shape. His new circle changeup shows good arm-side fade, although it’s used sparingly.

WEAKNESSES  Kilian’s control and command took a step backward in 2022 to the point that it’s pretty fringy today, and some of that may be attributable to the modification of his arsenal. His raw stuff has the potential to be above-average across the board, but it currently plays down. His inefficiency led to high pitch counts and less innings of work than anticipated.

SUMMARY  Kilian looked poised for a breakout entering 2022, but his season was largely up and down. He is generally able to minimize hard contact, but he simply allowed too many base runners due to his wavering control. He’s still among the better pitching prospects in the Cubs’ organization, but it’s more of a backend profile at best if his control settles in as average. He should see Chicago more consistently in 2023.

EVALUATOR  Jake Kerns

13. Owen Caissie, OF - 45 OFP

Age: 25 Highest Level: MLB
2022 Pre-season Rank: 5 OFP: 50

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 55
Cutter: 50
Curveball: 50
Changeup: 45
Command: 50

PHYSICAL  Kilian is tall and lean with a frame that would support more mass in his upper half, although he’s in his mid-20s and does not need to fill out to add velocity. He has strong quads that he uses to drive off the mound, and he throws from a high three-quarters slot with clean mechanics. His motion is easy and repeatable.

STRENGTHS  Kilian has a deep, fastball-dominant arsenal. He throws both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, and he often incorporates a cutter. His two-seam fastball is used most often, but it is thrown with less firmness than the four-seam and generates less whiffs. It has solid arm-side run. His four-seam fastball has been up to 98 MPH with ride. Kilian likes to throw his cutter up in the zone, and the pitch is largely used to set up his two reworked offspeed pitches. His new spike curve has big 12/6 action that generates strikes when he’s locating it. The pitch is inconsistent, but it flashes above-average-to-plus in terms of shape. His new circle changeup shows good arm-side fade, although it’s used sparingly.

WEAKNESSES  Kilian’s control and command took a step backward in 2022 to the point that it’s pretty fringy today, and some of that may be attributable to the modification of his arsenal. His raw stuff has the potential to be above-average across the board, but it currently plays down. His inefficiency led to high pitch counts and less innings of work than anticipated.

SUMMARY  Kilian looked poised for a breakout entering 2022, but his season was largely up and down. He is generally able to minimize hard contact, but he simply allowed too many base runners due to his wavering control. He’s still among the better pitching prospects in the Cubs’ organization, but it’s more of a backend profile at best if his control settles in as average. He should see Chicago more consistently in 2023.

EVALUATOR  Jake Kerns

14. Jackson Ferris, RHP - 45 OFP

Age: 19 Highest Level: HS
2022 MLB Draft Rank: 27

Risk: High

Fastball: 60
Curveball: 55
Changeup: 45
Command: 50

PHYSICAL  Ferris possesses a long levered and high-waisted frame that oozes future projection. His highly deceptive over-the-top arm slot is loose with an easy finish. He has an exceptional lower half that creates above-average extension and an advanced hip hinge allows Ferris to get deep into his lower half and permits his longer arm action to play up. He also has premium arm speed and strength.

STRENGTHS  Ferris possessed one of the best fastballs in the 2022 draft class regardless of prep or college. The pitch sits in the mid-90s with late carry that is extremely difficult to pick up. It creates heavy swing and miss, especially at the top of the zone. His above-average command and feel to spin only enhance the potential of the pitch. Ferris also deploys an above-average power curveball that, when commanded, can show consistent shape that creates huge depth and plays well off of the fastball plane.

WEAKNESSES  Ferris can lose the release point on the curveball on occasion, which can lead to below-average command. The inconsistent command holds the pitch back from being a plus pitch. The changeup can become a legitimate third pitch with continued development, but it’s not there yet.

SUMMARY  Ferris was one of the top left-handed pitchers in the 2022 prep class, and it’s mostly due to the above-average fastball/curveball combo he deploys at such a high level. Developing changeup feel and the potential of a slider could propel Ferris into mid-rotation potential when all is said and done.

EVALUATOR  Ian Smith

15. DJ Herz, LHP - 45 OFP

Age: 22 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 15 OFP: 45

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 55
Curveball: 45
Changeup: 60
Command: 40

PHYSICAL  Herz has a wiry frame with long limbs. He hugs the first base side of the rubber and strides cross legged to bring him further out to the armside. There are some balance issues in the operation that lead to command trouble.

STRENGTHS  Herz releases his pitches from an extremely wide position due to a crossfire motion and mound positioning. That extreme release leads to a bland fastball playing at a high level. His fastball has 13 inches of tail from the wide release and that leads to the fastball getting a ton of called strikes when located to his gloveside. It also gets chases and whiffs when thrown up and inside due to the vertical approach angle. The changeup has great velocity separation, plus fade, and depth. He frequently locates it in the zone, even if not precisely. The lack of precision is less relevant given his release. Even when it is stiff and left gloveside, there are still called strikes.

WEAKNESSES  The curveball doesn’t complement Herz’s arsenal. He throws a curve at 80 MPH with average depth and seven inches of sweep. The pitch gets absolutely zero chases due to the slot. It doesn’t have great called strike rates, and it’s hit hard when left over the plate. Hertz also has command problems. In particular, he struggles to consistently get to his armside and with elevating the fastball.

SUMMARY  Herz presently has a bad curveball, but it’s easy to imagine him picking up a plus slider. His wide release leads to an elite horizontal approach angle and a gyro slider would be more deceptive than a curveball. The command problems are always going to be there, but Herz can work around them given the angles he offers. He needs to make adjustments but the upside here is a middle-of-the-rotation starter.

EVALUATOR  Tieran Alexander

16. Kohl Franklin, RHP - 45 OFP

Age: 23 Highest Level: A+
2022 Pre-season Rank: 29 OFP: 40

Risk: High

Fastball: 70
Curveball: 45
Changeup: 60
Command: 40

PHYSICAL  Franklin is tall and lean. He has a good pitcher's body with some room to grow on the frame. Between several injuries, including an oblique injury, 2022 was his first time on the mound since 2019. He moves well on the mound and utilizes an over-the-top arm slot.

STRENGTHS  Franklin returned after injuries and the lost pandemic season with the ability to touch triple digits with his fastball. The pitch generally sits in the mid-90s, but he can reach back for more when needed. The fastball shows a lot of life on top of the velocity, and the pitch projects as double-plus. His changeup is also a potentially plus pitch with good deception and armside fade to the bottom of the zone. His curveball flashes as a potentially average offering.

WEAKNESSES  Franklin’s command was not very good upon his return to the mound, which can be expected after such a long time away from competition. He walked a lot of batters and had trouble finding the zone. That improved towards the end of the season, but the command issues were still present. His curveball is inconsistent in movement. He can flash a big breaker, but he can have trouble snapping it off and lose vertical break. His injury history is also a cause for concern.

SUMMARY  Franklin wasn’t very good in 2022 from a statistical standpoint. He was coming off three years away from competition and threw the most innings in his career. The injury history will continue to be a question, but a fully healthy season allowed Franklin to show what he can do on the mound. He offers two potentially plus or better offerings. With a little more command, there’s rotation potential, but the bullpen risk looms pretty heavy. His fastball and changeup should play well in either role.

EVALUATOR  Trevor Hooth

17. Luis Devers, RHP - 45 OFP

Age: 22 Highest Level: A+
2022 Pre-season Rank: Unranked

Risk: High

Fastball: 45
Curveball: 45
Slider: 45
Changeup: 60
Command: 55

PHYSICAL  Devers possesses an athletic build that gives hope that there is more projection to be realized in his body. He’s added muscle and velocity throughout his time in the minors, and there should be room to improve in both areas. The righthander toys with hitters out of the windup and the stretch by changing his timing and often switching to quick pitches.

STRENGTHS  The calling card for Devers is his plus changeup. Everything he does on the mound builds off of the parachuting pitch. In all counts, he will throw the disappearing changeup and hitters of both handedness struggle mightily against it. He mixes his other pitches in, changing speeds extremely effectively. The sinking fastball plays well off of the changeup that has similar downward movement. He showed a propensity to induce ground ball outs this season, generating them at a more than 50% clip. He executes his offerings well, which leads to strong batted ball results.

WEAKNESSES  Outside of the change, Devers does not have any overwhelming pitch that he can count on to get outs. The fastball velocity has increased but is still mostly in the low-90s and far from overpowering. Moreover, he currently has two fringy breaking balls that need to be sharpened. He may benefit from focusing on developing one of the breaking balls. He has a big looping curve and a slow slider that does not have much differentiation.

SUMMARY  When making the jump to High-A, Devers really impressed with a 1.05 ERA in 51.1 innings. He did so on the back of his plus changeup and high ground ball rate. To continue climbing the team’s prospect board, he will need to develop a stronger breaking ball and continue to add velocity to his fastball.

EVALUATOR  Daniel Garcia

18. James Triantos, 3B - 45 OFP

Age: 20 Highest Level: A
2022 Pre-season Rank: 12 OFP: 45

Risk: High

Hit: 55
Power: 40
Field: 45
Arm: 55
Run: 55

PHYSICAL  Triantos is a solid athlete with a quality body. He’s a quick-twitch hitter with a short load. He’s not the most agile defender but has good straight-line speed.

STRENGTHS  Triantos has some of the best contact rates in the minors, and projects as an above-average hitter at the highest level. He has zero trouble with connecting with top-end velocity and hits the fastball in every part of the zone without much discrimination. He has very quick hands and a twitchy swing with a short load. Triantos also offers above-average arm strength at third base and is a solid base runner with above-average speed.

WEAKNESSES  Triantos does not hit for a lot of power. He’s always had subpar top-end exit velocities and stopped outperforming them last year. He struggles to engage his lower half which kills any potential raw power output. Triantos also has major problems with hitting breaking balls as he connects with less than 70% of them. That is especially alarming given the aggressive approach and contact-oriented profile. He’s a fringy defender at third base, but he should be able to remain there long term based on the quality of his arm.

SUMMARY  Triantos underwhelmed a lot of people last season as he failed to show impact power. In hindsight, it seems obvious that the power production was a byproduct of his competition and punishing bad fastballs. He hit the ball hard less frequently against better competition, even if his top-end exit velocities were unchanged. The high contact, low power bat is usually a safe big league contributor, but from a power position like third base and with his struggles against breaking balls, there’s actually considerable risk in the profile.

EVALUATOR  Tieran Alexander

19. Kevin Made, SS - 45 OFP

Age: 20 Highest Level: A+
2022 Pre-season Rank: 11  OFP: 45

Risk: High

Hit: 45
Power: 45
Field: 55
Arm: 60
Run: 45

PHYSICAL  Made is high-waisted with a projectible wiry build. He’s visibly added strength to his frame, and there’s still room for more to come.

STRENGTHS  Defense drives the profile. Made has an extremely strong arm which will allow him to play third base if he outgrows shortstop. He reacts well defensively and could anchor any position on the dirt if needed. Made was hyper-aggressive during his debut in 2021, but he improved his approach in 2022 and reduced his aggressiveness, which helped his walk rates soar. He was also able to keep his swing and miss down. He showed a huge step forward in playable power, too, and his raw and game power should continue to grow as his body matures.

WEAKNESSES  There were a lot of steps forward taken from an offensive statistical standpoint, but there are still a lot of questions about his bat. He struggled to hit consistently following a promotion to High-A. He also showed a tendency to chase better breaking balls out of the zone. Pitch recognition will need to be a focal point, and there’s a pretty distinct chance his offensive profile remains fringy long term.

SUMMARY  Following an aggressive assignment in his debut year in 2021, Made found himself back in Single-A to begin 2022. By the end of the season, he was in High-A trying to figure things out against better arms. He showed strides, the biggest of which was in his approach. He was a lot more patient, drawing more walks while also dropping his strikeout rate. Made keeps showing signs of being a solid player, but he’ll need to find more offensive consistency. His defensive prowess and arm strength will allow him to play any position on the dirt, so it becomes a question of how the bat will play. 

EVALUATOR  Trevor Hooth

20. Miguel Amaya, C - 45 OFP

Age: 24 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 17  OFP: 45

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 40
Field: 55
Arm: 55
Run: 30

PHYSICAL  Amaya is tall and sturdily built. He has a wide frame with broad shoulders, and there’s strength throughout. He has a thicker lower half but his solid athleticism allows him to move well behind the plate. Amaya underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 and exclusively served as a designated hitter when he returned to action. He suffered a Lisfranc fracture in September 2022. He’s a strong leader.

STRENGTHS  Amaya has an advanced approach that allows him to draw walks and largely avoid strikeouts. He pairs that plate discipline with solid bat-to-ball skills, and he routinely puts the ball in play. His hit tool should play close to average once he’s fully back from his injury. He can get the ball in the air, and he has above-average raw power. He also posted plus exit velocities post-surgery. He’s shown over-the-fence ability since reaching Single-A, and his line-drive approach should allow him to hit for both gap power and occasional home runs. Amaya is a strong defensive catcher who has an above-average arm and enough athleticism to remain behind the plate. He’s a good framer, and he keeps the ball in front of him.

WEAKNESSES  Amaya is working his way back from an elbow injury, and he’ll need to prove his above-average arm is still intact. His offensive performance has waned in the past, and some of that can be tied to an almost passive approach. He doesn’t swing and miss with much regularity, but he also does not do himself any favors by laying off otherwise hittable pitches. He’s yet to fully tap into his raw power and is a well-below-average runner.

SUMMARY  Amaya performed well in Double-A after returning from surgery, and he’s firmly back on the radar for the Cubs, despite another season-ending injury. There are certainly remaining questions as it pertains to his arm and power potential, but he still has starting-level ability despite the added risk. He’ll be 24 years old throughout the entirety of 2023 and should make up for lost time, assuming he’s healthy.

EVALUATOR  Jake Kerns

21. Ed Howard, SS - 45 OFP

Age: 21 Highest Level: A+
2022 Pre-season Rank: 7  OFP: 50

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 40
Power: 45
Field: 60
Arm: 55
Run: 45

PHYSICAL  Howard possesses a strong, athletic build. He’s put a lot of muscle on his frame, and it looks like there’s still some room for more. He shows athletic actions, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. He played in only 23 games before sustaining a hip injury in early May 2022 that ended his season. 

STRENGTHS  There’s little doubt that Howard can hold down the shortstop position. He moves well and has good instincts there. He makes routine plays but separates himself by making a lot of highlight reel plays. His glove is great, and his above-average arm is more than enough to keep him at the shortstop position. He’s shown flashes of raw power and has posted high exit velocities since being drafted.

WEAKNESSES  In a short sample prior to injury, Howard was making more contact against higher level pitchers but still struggled to hit consistently. His raw power has yet to translate into games. Overall, his bat lags very far behind his glove. It will ultimately be his bat that decides what his future role will be, and he may simply not reach the offensive threshold necessary to get him into a starting lineup.

SUMMARY  An injury robbed Howard of most of his 2022 season. He showed some signs of improvement in his swing and miss to begin the year, but there are still plenty of questions remaining with the bat. His glove is absolutely fantastic and will always be a carrying tool. He’ll need to take a step forward with the stick, and he should have the opportunity once fully healthy to begin 2023.

EVALUATOR  Trevor Hooth

22. Moises Ballesteros, C - 40 OFP

Age: 19 Highest Level: A
2022 Pre-season Rank: Unranked

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 50
Field: 45
Arm: 50
Run: 30

PHYSICAL  Ballesteros has average height and a wide, round build. A hefty lefty. He carries extra weight throughout his thighs, core, and chest. He’s physically advanced compared to his peers, but it’s bad weight and his body will require significant ongoing maintenance. He would be best served to continue adding strength while cutting mass.

STRENGTHS  Ballesteros has an advanced approach at the plate that allows him to see a lot of pitches. He makes plenty of contact on pitches in the zone, and he does not chase with any kind of regularity. His positive swing decisions allow him to generate quality contact, and that includes over-the-fence power. He has a forceful swing that registered plus-plus exit velocities in 2022, and he’s capable of getting to his plus raw power with frequency given the amount of flyball contact he creates. He’s an offensive-oriented prospect, but the potential exists for him to hit for both average and power. He has experience at both catcher and first base.

WEAKNESSES  The quality of his body is subpar, and it hinders his overall athleticism. He’s taken significant reps at catcher, but he’s not a good defender behind the dish. He’s stiff and lacks the agility generally expected of the position in terms of getting down and blocking pitches. His average arm strength should play, but he’s struggled to consistently gun down runners. The entire package is pretty fringy, and he may be ticketed for designated hitter long term.

SUMMARY  Ballesteros is one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire organization. There’s definitely work to be done on the defensive side of the ball, but he has legitimate offensive ability. There’s a chance he’ll hit his way through the minors as a designated hitter, but a move off the position will require him to reach his offensive potential to profile as anything more than a bench piece.

EVALUATOR  Jake Kerns

23. Yohendrick Pinango, OF - 40 OFP

Age: 20 Highest Level: A+
2022 Pre-season Rank: 8  OFP: 45

Risk: Moderate

Hit: 50
Power: 45
Field: 50
Arm: 50
Run: 50

PHYSICAL  Pinango is on the shorter side for an outfielder and is solidly built with present strength. He’s largely filled out with a thicker lower half but is a quality athlete overall.

STRENGTHS  Pinango has good bat-to-ball skills and generally makes quality swing decisions. He puts a lot of balls into play. His swing is capable of getting the ball in the air, and most of his raw power plays to the pull-side. He swings with force and posted plus exit velocities in 2022, and he also saw his power tick up as he got more balls in the air. There’s reason to believe he can grow into above-average or plus raw power, although it’s unlikely his game power reaches that level given his more contact-oriented approach. Pinango has played all over the outfield, but he spent most of his time in left field during the 2022 season. He’s an average runner and should prove capable of playing the position despite not being overly rangy. His average arm fits there.

WEAKNESSES  Pinango can make a lot of contact, but the quality of that contact is very inconsistent. There’s some effort in his swing, and he’s too often either dealt with timing issues or gotten on top of the ball. He did well to increase his line-drive output in 2022, but he’s still yet to fully tap into his power given the aforementioned issues. He’d be better served to smooth out his swing and cut down on his tendency to chase.

SUMMARY  Pinango’s over-the-fence power more than doubled year-over-year, and he’s on the right track for reaching his overall ability. He has both mechanical and approach-driven issues holding him back right now, but his innate feel for the bat could translate into an average hitter who also has double-digit power. He’s someone to continue to monitor as a potential starting left fielder, although the more likely outcome is a bench piece. 

EVALUATOR  Jake Kerns

24. Pedro Ramirez, SS - 40 OFP

Age: 18 Highest Level: A
2022 Pre-season Rank: Unranked

Risk: High

Hit: 60
Power: 30
Field: 50
Arm: 50
Run: 60

PHYSICAL  Ramirez is small and lithe with some projection in his frame, but he’ll never boast impressive raw strength. He’s a quick twitch hitter with a clean bat path.

STRENGTHS  Ramirez makes a lot of contact, and he projects as a potentially plus hitter. He connected with 85% of pitches last season, and that is not a new development. He just hits. He’s quick to the ball and has no issues hitting velocity. He has a flat path that lets him hit the high fastball with enough flexibility as a left handed hitter to go down and get the low pitch. He has shown no struggles connecting with breaking balls, either. The other primary draw is that he avoids mishits and can hit the ball to all fields. Ramirez also looks like a strong shortstop with good range and athleticism that he pairs with an average arm, although he instead split his time between second and third base in 2022.

WEAKNESSES  Ramirez doesn’t offer much in the power department. He failed to hit a single ball over 100 MPH last year. There is some strength projection and room for mechanical changes to promote power, but it’s always going to be lacking. Ramirez also didn’t play a single game at shortstop last year despite the tools to be at least average there. He may wind up at a less valuable position given the limited experience at the most premium one, and that would ultimately hurt his overall upside.

SUMMARY  There is a sizable risk in a rookie ball hitter who has insufficient power. However, the production is loud and his power plays up some due to his bat path leading to a lot of backspun fly balls. The contact skills are a great foundation, and Ramirez should be a valuable defensive asset wherever he ends up. The upside is somewhat limited, and the carrying tool has risk, but the profile looks good in the early going.

EVALUATOR  Tieran Alexander

25. Ryan Jensen, RHP - 40 OFP

Age: 25 Highest Level: AA
2022 Pre-season Rank: 21  OFP: 40

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 60
Cutter: 45
Curveball: 50
Slider: 55
Changeup: 45
Command: 40

PHYSICAL  Jensen has a smaller yet lean frame for a pitcher with some slight projection left. He has smoothed his mechanics a bit, as there’s not as much effort as there was in college, and he’s shortened his arm action considerably. He gets deep into his lower half during his delivery, pitching with a near over-the-top slot with effort at release.

STRENGTHS  Jensen now has a six-pitch mix to utilize, starting with two different fastball variations He sits in the mid-90s with both heaters, touching 99 MPH. The two-seamer projects better with plenty of running action, although both miss bats at a similar rate. The slider is the main breaking ball, thrown hard in the high-80s with late sweep. He also tinkered with a cutter late in the year. The pitch averaged around 90 MPH with some gyro action. The curveball projects as average, showcasing good depth in the low-80s. The changeup has good fading action, sitting in a similar velocity band as the slider.

WEAKNESSES  The primary issue with Jensen has always been his control and command. While shortening his arm action did help slightly, he still struggles to find a consistent release point and threw less than 60% of his pitches for strikes in 2022. The four-seam variation of the fastball has “dead zone” qualities, as well, and gets hammered when not properly located.

SUMMARY  While the high-octane stuff is still there for Jensen, the strike-throwing continues to be an issue and likely relegates Jensen to a relief role. That said, there are still some starting qualities here. He’ll likely be rolled out as a starter in 2023, although it would not be a surprise if he is in the bullpen come year's end.

EVALUATOR  Tyler Jennings

26. Daniel Palencia, RHP - 45 OFP

Age: 23 Highest Level: A+
2022 Pre-season Rank: Unranked

Risk: High

Fastball: 80
Curveball: 45
Slider: 45
Changeup: 45
Command: 40

PHYSICAL  Palencia is undersized but makes up for it with great scap retraction to generate velocity. He has a quick arm with some effort in the delivery, and he tries to create a downhill plane with a vertical high three-quarters delivery.

STRENGTHS  Palencia is as powerful of an arm as a power arm can get. His fastball was registered as high as 102 MPH on a stadium radar gun, and he consistently sits in the high-90s. His slider also consistently reaches ridiculous velocities. He can be very dominant just by blowing the ball by hitters, but he also showed more of an idea of how to pitch in 2022, often pitching backwards in a lot of counts. That allowed his pitches that don’t garner as much swing and miss to steal strikes early in the count. He was then able to drop an easy triple-digit fastball for a strikeout. His overall command was also much improved.

WEAKNESSES  Palencia still walked quite a bit of batters. His command, while better, still has a ways to go if he hopes to remain as a rotation arm. His secondaries were commanded a lot better last season, but he still doesn’t have a true compliment to his big fastball. His changeup could turn into that pitch, but it still needs more development.

SUMMARY  Palencia joined the Cubs as part of the return for Andrew Chafin in 2021. He’s grown a lot since changing organizations. He now has more command and ability to use his secondary pitches. He’s not only a fastball pitcher anymore, and that’s a massive stride made in just a year. His fastball regularly reaches triple digits, so that will always be a main weapon, but he needs to find a pitch to complement it. There’s a ton of reliever risk here and, quite honestly, the bullpen might be a better home for Palencia to really thrive.

EVALUATOR  Trevor Hooth

27. Christopher Paciolla, SS - 45 OFP

Age: 19 Highest Level: CPX
2022 MLB Draft Rank: 91

Risk: High

Hit: 50
Power: 50
Field: 55
Arm: 50
Run: 40

PHYSICAL  Paciolla has a wiry, lean frame with projection.  He has long limbs and his shoulders are a bit sloped. The body can withstand adding 20-30 pounds of muscle.

STRENGTHS  Paciolla utilized a breakout senior year to rise up boards in the spring prior to the draft. His bat-to-ball skills and projectable power certainly stand out. There’s natural loft to his swing, and he mixes good rotation and solid bat speed to produce present average power. His raw power likely grades out to above-average once he is fully physically mature. Paciolla has smooth actions in the field and good hands with an average arm at shortstop. He projects best at third base long term, and he can be an average defender there given the set of defensive tools.

WEAKNESSES  Paciolla struggled in his pro debut, but it’s a very small sample. There are some inconsistencies with the swing, most notably opening up too early and becoming pull-happy. His below-average speed hampers his ability to stay at shortstop long term, and he will also never be a stolen base threat.

SUMMARY  It’s an intriguing profile for the Cubs, who signed Paciolla out of a commitment to UCLA with an overslot deal at $900,000. There’s enough in the bat to believe the contact will improve despite a slow, yet short, start in rookie ball. He could eventually profile as a solid defender at the hot corner. The set of tools could project into a starting role if he maxes out his ability, but he for now looks like a future bench bat.

EVALUATOR  Tyler Jennings

28. Drew Gray, LHP - 40 OFP

Age: 19 Highest Level: CPX
2022 Pre-season Rank: 24  OFP: 40

Risk: Extreme

Fastball: 55
Curveball: 45
Slider: 50
Changeup: 40
Command: 45

PHYSICAL  There’s present strength in a physical lower half. Gray has a really loose and whippy arm that works out of a three-quarters slot, while showing immense scap retraction that could lead to future velocity gains. He is a teenage Tommy John survivor who will need time to build back strength.

STRENGTHS  Gray offers a present above-average fastball that has flashed as a plus pitch with tremendous carry and double-plus feel to spin. The pitch creates heavy swing and miss throughout the zone with a deceptive delivery, and it’s equally effective to both sides of the plate. His slider was making big strides before going down with the injury with improving velocity and sharp break that tunnels well off the fastball.

WEAKNESSES  Finding a consistent release point for the curveball is a strong point of emphasis. Gray has recently changed his changeup grip, so building feel and command will be a work in progress on an offering that was below-average in the past.

SUMMARY  There’s a strong wait-and-see approach when talking about the former IMG Academy product who only has four professional innings under his belt. A two-way player up until the 2021 draft, Gray has real untapped potential as a starting pitcher. It’s a possible above-average fastball/slider combo with a plus feel to spin and potential for a four-pitch mix. It’ll all depend on how he responds to his rehab, and that's not an answer we’ll have overnight.

EVALUATOR  Ian Smith

29. Jeremiah Estrada, RHP - 40 OFP

Age: 24 Highest Level: MLB
2022 Pre-season Rank: Unranked

Risk: Moderate

Fastball: 70
Curveball: 40
Slider: 55
Changeup: 30
Command: 40

PHYSICAL  Estrada possesses a smaller stature with a thicker lower half. He has a spinal tilt that leads to him falling off the mound to his gloveside, and the arm is often late.

STRENGTHS  Estrada has an electric fastball. He sits in the upper-90s and touches 98 MPH. On top of the premium velocity, the pitch has elite vertical movement as he averages 20 inches of ride. It has limited horizontal movement, and that should set up a tunnel with the unique slider. The slider is thrown with over 10 inches of sweep, but its movement is more cutter-esque. It’s a strange hybrid pitch and has a 37% called strike plus whiff rate, so something is working. The closest MLB pitch to it is Matt Manning’s slider, which has been great.

WEAKNESSES  The curveball shape is great with 18 inches of vertical break, but the low velocity and fastball profile make it function primarily as a called-strike pitch. The problem with that is he zones just under a quarter of his curveballs. It’s a below-average pitch right now, even if it has clear potential. The changeup is also a well-below-average pitch despite good separation, both because of poor movement and feel. Fastball location is another major problem. He almost exclusively pitches to the gloveside with all of his pitches and rarely will elevate the heater. The lack of variation in locations lets hitters sit in one zone and dominate.

SUMMARY  Estrada has some issues to work through, however the stuff pops. The fastball is a double-plus pitch that will guarantee him a role in the majors if used competently. The slider is unorthodox, but it has been effective thus far. The curveball and changeup won’t perform right now, but they are just window dressing. The value of his fastball/slider combo will make Estrada a staple in a big league bullpen.

EVALUATOR  Tieran Alexander

30. Adan Sanchez, C - 40 OFP

Age: 17 Highest Level: DSL
2022 Pre-season Rank: 14 OFP: 45

Risk: Extreme

Hit: 50
Power: 40
Field: 50
Arm: 60
Run: 40

SUMMARY  Sanchez was Chicago’s top international signing in 2022 after inking for $1.5 million. The former Little League World Series participant was assigned to the Dominican Summer League several months after signing and proceeded to impress with his hitting ability. He’s a big-bodied teenager who has a strong frame, although he’s yet to truly hit the ball hard and tap into his raw power. Sanchez does have power potential, though, and he already shows an ability to get the ball in the air in controlled environments. He showed an advanced approach at the plate across 47 games in the DSL, and that included both good swing decisions and an ability to hold off on pitches out of the zone. He has quality bat-to-ball skills, but there’s work to do in terms of maximizing line-drive contact to the outfield. Sanchez spent the majority of his time at catcher while in the DSL, but he also played first and third base. He has a plus arm that fits both behind the plate and at the hot corner, and he moves well for his size. Sanchez is among the most intriguing names at the lowest level of the organization, and he’ll be someone to continue to monitor once he comes stateside in 2023.

EVALUATOR  Jake Kerns