Completely forgotten 2024 Cubs draft pick is a name to watch in the Arizona Fall League

The Chicago Cubs' 2024 draft class may not go down as one of the best ever, but it's certainly already made its mark on the big league team.

Of course, first-round pick Cam Smith was traded just months after being selected, serving as the centerpiece in the Houston Astros' return from star right fielder Kyle Tucker. He shockingly made the big league club out of spring training, and he's had a solid rookie year, posting a 92 wRC+ in full-time outfield duty as a 22-year-old.

Then, at the trade deadline, the Cubs unloaded 2024 sixth-round pick Ryan Gallagher, sending him (and Sam Armstrong) to the Minnesota Twins for utilityman Willi Castro. They also gave up third-round pick Ronny Cruz in the Michael Soroka deal.

Thus, the 2024 draft class hasn't done a great job of breaking through in the team's top prospect rankings, as most of the best players have already been sent packing. However, one top draft pick still remains, and he's getting a new leash on life in the Arizona Fall League.

Cole Mathis could emerge as top Cubs prospect in Arizona Fall League

With the Arizona Fall League starting up soon -- Oct. 6 is when the first games will be played -- MLB.com took on the task of naming each team's best player heading to the AFL.

Of course, the writers elected Cole Mathis as the Cubs' premier representative, citing his sky-high potential despite lost development time due to injuries.

"The Cubs plucked Mathis in 2024's second round out of the College of Charleston because they liked his patient approach and 20-homer upside. He had Tommy John surgery shortly after signing and played just 29 games as a DH in his pro debut this year, batting .215/.336/.402 in Single-A," MLB.com said in defense of their pick of Mathis.

Mathis was a two-way player in college, leading Charleston in OPS (1.014) and ERA (3.45) as a sophomore. Unfortunately, he's barely played in pro ball following his Tommy John surgery immediately after being drafted, though he did post a 122 wRC+ with Myrtle Beach after returning.

With a strong performance in the AFL, Mathis can make up for lost time pretty quickly. Expect an aggressive assignment in 2026 if the 22-year-old proves he can handle some of the league's better pitchers.

While Mathis is certainly one of the highest upside players heading to Arizona, he isn't the only Cubs prospect worth watching. The full list of Cubs' AFL attendees is as follows:

• 1B/3B Cole Mathis
• C Owen Ayers
• SS Ed Howard
• RHP Thomas Mangus
• RHP Luis Martinez-Gomez
• RHP J.P. Wheat
• RHP Matthew Peters
• RHP Koen Moreno

Mathis is the only one of the bunch holding a current spot on the Cubs' Top 30 prospect list (MLB Pipeline), though Ed Howard is a former first-round pick, and Martinez-Gomez posted a 1.46 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings this season. There's plenty of talent to go around on the Mesa Solar Sox.