Cubs Minors: Five prospects who are off to a blazing start

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So far, the minor league affiliates of the Chicago Cubs are off to somewhat of a rough start as the Triple-A Iowa Cubs are the only one of the four teams to have a winning record to this early point in the season. However, individual statistics don’t care about wins and losses, and thankfully, there are a handful of prospects who are off to impressive starts this season.

Across all levels, the Cubs have talent that is often overlooked. As I’ve brought up countless times before, it is easy to look to the top overall names on the list close to the Show. It does not preclude additional depth in the system, and that depth is what will make this organization fun heading into the next many years.

With major overhaul expected on the roster this coming offseason, these minor leaguers will become even more important. So let’s check in on some of the top performers so far in 2021.

Cubs: A former top prospect seems to be finding his form

Last fall, the Cubs signed a quartet of guys to minor league deals, with 27-year-old switch-hitting catcher Taylor Gushue, a part of the group. Gushue is formerly of the Washington Nationals organization and ranked in their top 30 a few years back.

He struggled through much of his first few years. However, he has been an above-average producer in Triple-A in the past couple of seasons. Gushue is off to a strong start this year in his inaugural season in Chicago’s organization. Through his first 15 games, Gushue is slashing .315/.377/.511 with a 135 wRC+.

Things started roughly as Gushue went 1-for-12 with four strikeouts in his first five games. The backstop went to a different level in his next five-game stretch, hitting .368 with just two strikeouts, a double, and a home run. He managed to drive in seven runs.

Gushue is hitting .389 in his latest five-game sample size with a slugging percentage of .667 and a 173 wRC+. On paper, his slash is right in line where he fell in 2019, and even to this point, it is a welcomed sight to see from the catcher. It will be interesting to see how long Gushue can hang around.

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Cubs: Outfield depth has been improving with each passing season

There are no certainties in life as there are no certainties in baseball. Tennessee Smokies infielder Levi Jordan is a perfect example of this as a 29th round pick out of the University of Washington in 2018. He’s moved quickly through the system, from rookie ball to Double-A in a matter of three seasons.

Jordan put together a solid four-year career for the Huskies. He hit .283 and, although not a big power guy, did make a lot of contact and was consistently on base. This year through 15 games, Jordan has slashed .288/.348/.458 with a 124 wRC+. He has already hit two home runs which may not seem like a lot, but, again, as a guy who hasn’t been known for the long ball, it is a positive development.

As a career guy at Washington, Jordan came in a bit older than most, although he is still just 25 years old and hitting his stride at the right time. The right-hander has hit .293 in his past five games, managing his strikeout rate and driving in runs. The Cubs are stacked with infielders, and Jordan adds to that depth.

Cubs: Can the pitching pipeline finally start churning out big league arms?

South Bend was crowned the Midwest League champions the last time there was a Minor League Baseball season. While the minor league Cubs are off to a slow start like many teams, getting back to the swing, they still have guys who are showing out to begin the year — right-handers Max Bain and Peyton Remy.

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Bain is a product from the United Shore Professional Baseball League, an indy league started in 2016. Bain spent his 2019 calendar year with the league before signing with the Cubs. He is a big guy with a big arm, and so far, things have gone well for the 23-year-old in his first year in the organization.

Bain has carved out a 3.55 ERA with a 22.8 percent strikeout rate through three starts. Bain is best known for his powerful fastball, a pitch that has touched 97 mph. He most likely will profile as a reliever at the following levels. This past week the right-hander put together his first scoreless start of the young season — 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3K. Things will hopefully continue to trend in the right direction.

Remy is a 17th round pick from 2017 by the Cubs. Since 2018, Remy has been a strong arm in the organization and incredibly underrated. In 20 2/3 inning this season, Remy has a 3.48 ERA to go along with a strikeout rate pushing 30 percent and a 1.16 WHIP. You won’t find him in a top 30 list, but his production just further solidifies the quiet depth of the organization.

Cubs: You can’t ever have too many swing-and-miss arms

The final guy is a reliever in Myrtle Beach, right-hander Bailey Reid. Reid is an undrafted free agent from this past year’s class and has already been a solid addition to the organization. In six games, Reid is carrying a 3.12 ERA and has notched a couple of saves.

What is the most significant sign of a future dominant reliever is the strikeouts. Over just 8 2/3 innings, Reid already has 15 strikeouts. Over the past three appearances, Reid has ten strikeouts. In an appearance last Wednesday, Reid struck out four in 1 1/3 innings.

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Reid was a sought-after free agent following the draft, and the Cubs seemingly fit the mold the best, as there was a connection between the two parties. He was vastly underrated as a prospect, and a surprise as more teams did not push harder for his services. Reid’s fastball sits in the mid-90s, and his breaking stuff has been deemed a strength to his game. Reid will be one of the top guys to keep an eye on this season.

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