Chicago Cubs: How have trade deadline acquisitions panned out so far?

While the reasons to continue tuning into the Chicago Cubs as the season rolls on are few and far between, for the first time in ages, the team’s minor league system is finally flush with young talent to keep tabs on. No doubt, the trade deadline was painful for fans to go through, but it’s hard to deny that Jed Hoyer and the front office did very well at the deadline.

The Cubs farm system was already on the up and up, but the trade deadline put Chicago in prime position to be able to compete sooner rather than later, and with the team now in open free fall, many fans are probably wanting to know how the players acquired at the deadline are performing. Luckily the early returns have been overwhelmingly positive.

Chicago Cubs: Bryce Ball has been on a hot streak down in South Bend

The first prospect acquired in the Cubs’ massive selloff, Ball has had the most time in the minors and has gotten progressively better over time. When the team shipped Joc Pederson to Atlanta, Ball was floundering a bit in High-A, but he still had great power and on-base tools to work with.

When Ball first made his way to South Bend, the Cubs’ High-A affiliate, Ball continued to struggle but has really gotten hot as of late. Whatever the reason may be, Cubs continuing to work on his swing and approach, or just getting more acclimated with his surroundings, Ball has gotten on base at a fantastic .350 rate and has hit three home runs over the last 12 games.

Ball has flashed the fantastic power and on-base combo that could one day get him to the majors, and hopefully, he continues his hot streak.