Cubs fans finally get news on once-hyped prospect's recovery

There was a belief that Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Brandon Birdsell could be a meaningful addition to the team's Major League pitching staff this season. Birdsell, the Cubs' No. 7 prospect, was named the Cubs' Minor League pitcher of the year last season. In 135.2 innings pitched last season, across Double-A and Triple-A, Birdsell posted a 3.91 ERA, but what turned heads was his 134 strikeouts against only 31 walks.

Given the injuries the Cubs have had at the Major League level this season, chances are Birdsell would have already made his debut had he not been injured. Birdsell was shut down during the early days of Cubs' Spring Training, and the team hasn't provided an update since then. However, during Sahadev Sharma's Trade Deadline preview for The Athletic, he had a passing update on the Cubs' pitching prospect.

"The depth at Triple A has taken a hit, too. Jordan Wicks is on the shelf with a hamstring issue (he recently threw live BP and is close to returning to game action), and Brandon Birdsell — an upper-level pitching prospect who had a breakout season last summer — suffered a shoulder injury early in the spring and is not expected to return until later this summer," Sharma shared.

Brandon Birdsell likely won't be making his Major League debut this season.

The news from Sharma all but confirms that Birdsell won't be making his Major League debut this season. Assuming he does make a few appearances for Triple-A Iowa before the end of the season, it would be a safe bet to project Birdsell as an up-and-down arm for the Major League team next season.

With Cade Horton graduating to the Major League level, Birdsell is one of only two pitching prospects in the Cubs' Top 10 prospect rankings. The other pitching prospect is Jaxon Wiggins, who is currently the Cubs' No. 9 prospect. However, before the end of the 2025 season, it would seem that Wiggins will become the Cubs' best pitching prospect. That would also be the reason why Wiggins is likely close to being untouchable in trade talks for the Cubs ahead of the deadline.