Chicago Cubs: After deadline moves, prospects are again the focus

(Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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Kris Bryant / Chicago Cubs
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs Prospects: Alexander Canario

In part of the last minute Kris Bryant deal, the Cubs received two promising prospects. First, in the form of Alexander Canario. The 6’1,” 21-year-old outfielder has secured a spot on the Cubs 40-man roster, sliding into the #7 spot upon arrival. He is currently slashing .235/.325/.433 in Low-A.

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Drafted internationally by the Giants in 2016, Canario put up a solid year in the Dominican Summer League hitting .294/.391/.464 in 235 at-bats. But it wasn’t until 2019 that this kid really showed what he could do – batting .318/.377/.623 with 16 homers and 54 RBI between multiple levels.

Though not off to the hottest start this season, his potential is very high and should he find his swing again, it won’t be long before he continues to move up.

Chicago Cubs Prospects: Caleb Kilian

Caleb Kilian comes to us as the second part of the Kris Bryant deal. The right-hander moves directly to Double-A with the Tennessee Smokies and is already the #16 prospect in the Cubs organization.

His repertoire consists of a fastball that he has recently added new life to, topping out at 98 MPH, a curveball, cutter and change-up. His fastball and curveball stand out the most. In college at Texas Tech he went a career 23-6 with a 3.61 ERA over three seasons before getting drafted in the eighth round of the 2019 Draft by the San Francisco Giants.

Off to a red-hot start in 2019 in the Arizona Fall League and in Low-A, Kilian posted a 0.00 ERA over 16 innings pitched. Unfortunately, that run would ultimately be stopped due to the season-shuttering pandemic in 2020. Now in Double-A in 2021, Kilian has posted a still well above average 3-2 with a 2.43 ERA in 63 frames. Prior, before the promotion to Double-A, Kilian went 3-0 with a 1.25 ERA in 21 23 innings of work for the Eugene Emeralds, San Francisco’s High-A West affiliate.

Looking at his numbers, these may be the most encouraging on this list. It would be nice to see the righty get promoted to at least Triple-A Iowa this season and find his way to the bigs in 2022.

Grading every move the Cubs made at this year's trade deadline. dark. Next

This trade deadline was a fierce reminder of just how quickly things can change in the business that is baseball. Though Cubs fans are saddened by the moving on of their favorite players, you can find serenity in knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel.