FanSided's Top 100 prospect list exposes growing problem with Cubs' system

It's been no secret that the Chicago Cubs' farm system has taken a step back over the past year. It's to be expected when the focus shifts from rebuilding to contending, but Jed Hoyer and Co. have stressed the importance of avoiding the fate of their previous contention window. The Cubs' farm system was depleted en route to their World Series victory in 2016, and it took several years for the floor of the system to be re-established. FanSided's Eric Cole revealed his Top 100 prospects for the 2026 season, and that secret for the Cubs continues to be made very public.

While the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Cincinnati Reds all have prospects cracking Cole's Top 10 list, the first Cubs prospect to make an appearance is Moises Ballesteros at No. 36.

That feels like the appropriate landing spot for Ballesteros. As the Cubs have already seen this season, Ballesteros' bat is capable of making a difference. What works against Ballesteros is likely the fact that he's serving as the Cubs' designated hitter. While there have been notable strides in Ballesteros' development as a catcher, his prospect status is being carried by the potential of his bat.

That's not a bad thing, especially with Ballesteros contributing to the Cubs' 2026 starting lineup, it is going to limit his ceiling as a top prospect in baseball.

The only other Cubs prospect to make an appearance is Jaxon Wiggins at No. 60. When healthy, the expectation is that Wiggins could ascend toward being a top-of-the-rotation prospect for the Cubs. The when healthy part is what's becoming concerning, considering Wiggins is already dealing with an injury this season.

Money might be the only thing that keeps the Cubs atop the NL Central

There's hope that by the end of the 2026 season, the Cubs will have several prospects making the case to be on the next top 100 list. Pedro Ramirez appears to be in the middle of an offensive breakout with Triple-A Iowa, and Kevin Alcantara's power surge to start this season could have doubters believing in him again.

Overall, this latest Top 100 prospect compilation is a reminder for the Cubs to keep spending money. Cole's list is littered with prospects from every other team in the National League Central. A division that the Cubs currently sit in last place with a record of 12-9. It's too early to zero in on the standings, but as the prospects across the division reach the major league level, the talent gap will close. Flexing their financial might may just be the only path forward for the Cubs.

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