Cubs finally deliver the long-awaited roster move fans have been begging for

LOUD NOISES! OK, now that I've got that out of my system. It's finally happening. According to ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Chicago Cubs are calling up their top-ranked prospect, outfielder Owen Caissie, for his big-league debut - which could come as soon as Thursday.

Caissie has spent the last two years at Triple-A Iowa putting up big numbers, and most have felt for some time now that he has little left to prove in the minors. On the year, the 23-year-old boasts a .966 OPS in 400 plate appearances, with 26 doubles, 22 home runs and 52 runs batted in. The hope now is that he can provide a spark for a Cubs team looking to get back on track for the final stretch of the regular season.

Chicago picked up a big win behind a dominant start from rookie Cade Horton on Wednesday, but lost catcher Miguel Amaya to a left ankle sprain that will require an IL stint, according to manager Craig Counsell. That injury opened the door for Caissie's call-up, which has been something fans have begged for all summer, especially since the team's recent offensive downturn began.

It remains to be seen how Counsell will get Caissie regular at-bats, but given the number of regulars currently slumping, it may prove easier than we think. He'll see time in the outfield and as DH; and could make his debut in Toronto, which would be special given he's a native of Canada.

Top Cubs prospect Owen Caissie set to make his big-league debut

Caissie joined the organization in late 2020 as part of the return in the Yu Darvish salary dump. Caissie was the centerpiece and came over along with Ismael Mena, Reginald Preciado, Yeison Santana and Zach Davies. To this point, Davies, who was already an established big-leaguer at the time, is the only member of that group to appear in an MLB game since the trade.

He represented the Cubs in each of the last two Futures Games and has been a consensus top-100 prospect for some time now. Given the uncertainty surrounding Kyle Tucker's presence past the end of the 2025 season, Caissie's debut will come with lofty hopes and expectations - and that's putting it mildly.

Most believed that some combination of Caissie, Moises Ballesteros and Kevin Alcantara would be traded at the deadline in return for a top-shelf arm. Instead, Jed Hoyer and the Cubs held onto their top young talent and, now, Caissie will get his first shot at leaving his mark on the big-league team, which enters Thursday's finale 7 1/2 games behind Milwaukee, winners of 12 straight.