3 surprises in MLB Pipeline's top 30 Chicago Cubs prospects for 2025

The Chicago Cubs won't fully admit this publicly but they are hinging a large part of their hopes for postseason success in 2025 on the development of their top prospects at the Major League level.

The Cubs hope that a full season as the team's starting center fielder has Pete Crow-Armstrong ready to become a superstar while Matt Shaw is expected to be the team's starting third baseman. Even as you look through the list of the Cubs' top 30 prospects, it's clear that the time is now for the farm system to shine at the Major League level.

Beyond Shaw and Crow-Armstrong, it seems likely that Kevin Alcantara will have important plate appearances for the Cubs at the Major League level this summer. Moises Ballesteros figures to be the prospect the Cubs will call upon if they need an offensive boost, and James Triantos likely will be on call if there is an injury to one of the Cubs' middle infielders.

With that in mind, let's take a look at three surprises in the MLB Pipeline's ranking of the Cubs' system.

1. The Cubs are falling into a familiar trap

One of the reasons why the Chicago Cubs' previous contention window ended so quickly is they did not develop enough pitching prospects. The Cubs tried to overcome that deficit with free-agent signings but the lack of immediate return on investment derailed their hopes of having sustained success at the Major League level.

The Cubs' pitching infrastructure has churned out reliable pitchers with Justin Steele sitting at the top of their rotation while Ben Brown and Porter Hodge will have important roles on the 2025 pitching staff. The Cubs also have developed solid depth pieces for the rotation in Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad but they have yet to find that homegrown top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Steele is the closest pitcher to that description but he's closer to a high-end No. 2 than he is an ace.

Short of Cade Horton, the Cubs may not have that pitcher in their farm system. Brandon Birdsell and Jaxon Wiggins are ascending prospects but neither projects as an ace at the Major League level.

2. Pablo Aliendo is quickly falling off the list

For as much praise as Ballesteros gets as an offensive prospect in the Cubs' system, there are questions about how his defense at catcher would translate to the Major League level. Prior to Ballesteros' rise in the Cubs' system, there was some question if he or Pablo Aliendo would be the better catching prospect. Ballesteros has firmly answered that question but Aliendo remains the better defender at the position. Aliendo's offense has fallen behind as that is the primary reason he has yet to reach the Triple-A level. Short of an offensive breakout, it's hard to imagine his stock will get much higher.

3.Former first-round pick nowhere to be found

The Cubs' decision to select Ed Howard in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft continues to look worse with each passing season. The selection of Howard didn't quite make sense for the Cubs at the time, and he isn't even listed among the team's top 30 prospects this season. Injuries have derailed Howard's development as he has yet to find any offensive consistency at any level of the Cubs' organization. Among the players the Cubs could have had instead of Howard were Jordan Howard, Austin Wells, or Bobby Miller. All have reached the Major League level already, and while Walker and Miller struggled last season, their stocks remain relatively high.