Cubs' quietest prospect might be more important than anyone realizes

With the Chicago Cubs signing Christian Bethancourt to a minor-league deal earlier this week, it was a reminder that after the 2026 season, the team may need a long-term catcher. Carson Kelly is a free agent, and with Miguel Amaya's track record with injuries, he can't be counted on as the answer at the position.

That's another reason why Moises Ballesteros' development at the major league level in 2026 is so important. Ballesteros' biggest impact on the Cubs next season is expected to be with his bat, but even as the third catcher on the 26-man roster, he should have more runway at the position in the majors than he had last season.

The impression from the Cubs, at this moment, is that Ballesteros may not be capable of being the everyday catcher, but he is only 22 years old. In other words, that projection can easily change. If not, the prospect that Bleacher Report's Joel Rueter highlighted could be the one to watch.

Owen Ayers could be the Cubs' prospect to keep an eye on in 2026

Despite the Cubs having Jaxon Wiggins and Jefferson Rojas near the top of their farm system, when it came to the Cubs' prospect most likely to breakout in 2026, Rueter highlighted catcher Owen Ayers. No, having yet to reach the Double-A level, Ayers won't be spotted at Wrigley Field next season, but his development could go a long way toward the Cubs finding their long-term catcher.

Ayers turned heads with an impressive performance during the Arizona Fall League, collecting 25 hits in 20 games, and showed impressive skills behind the plate, throwing out 14 base stealers. Above all else, the Cubs value a catcher who fits their run-prevention model, and if that is where Ayers' development lies, he could be on the insider track toward taking over as the Cubs' catcher in the years ahead.

Ayers didn't finish the 2025 season among MLB Pipeline's top Cubs' prospects, but after his AFL, chances are that will change with their next update. If nothing else, at this juncture, he's a high-ceiling lower-level prospect that the Cubs could also include in a potential trade if they have other plans at the catcher after this season.