It wasn't the spring training showcase that Owen Caissie may have been hoping for this season.
Shortly before the Cubs started Cactus League games, the team revealed that Caissie was dealing with a groin injury. Given the injury, Caissie was among the immediate cuts the Cubs made to their roster.
Caissie is healthy and was on the Opening Day roster for Triple-A Iowa. The Iowa Cubs defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers 6-3 on Opening Day on Friday. During the game, Caissie sent an immediate reminder for why Cubs fans should not forget about him.
Owen Caissie. No-doubter.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 29, 2025
105.1 mph | 426 ft. for MLB's No. 53 prospect.@Cubs | @IowaCubs pic.twitter.com/nkdqTKkLDk
Had it not been for the groin injury Caissie had during spring training, chances the Cubs would left Cactus League play with the impression that he was knocking on the door of being Major League ready. Caissie enters the 2025 season as the No. 3 prospect in the Cubs' system, according to MLB Pipeline, and the No. 53 prospect on their Top 100 list. For reference, MLB Pipeline still has Caissied ranked ahead of Kevin Alcantara. Alcantara enters the season as the Cubs' No. 6 prospect and No. 89 on their Top 100 list.
The Cubs will need Owen Caissie to prove to be healthy
During the offseason, Caissie was a popular name in trade rumors involving the Cubs. Considering the construction of the Cubs' outfield at the Major League level, there isn't an immediate path to playing time for the top prospect. Even in the event of an injury, it now seems that Kevin Alcantara would be the first outfielder to be promoted from Triple-A.
That doesn't mean there isn't a long-term path to the Major Leagues for Caissie with the Cubs. There remains the expectation that Kyle Tucker won't be back with the Cubs after this season, and both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki have one year remaining on their contracts after 2025.
However, it's more likely that if the Cubs are buyers at the MLB Trade Deadline, Caissie will be a prospect they are willing to include in trade talks. Trading Caissie for a rental still seems too rich for a Cubs' front office that is acting with urgency but trading the young outfielder for a cost-controlled starting pitcher such as Sandy Alcantara figures to be appealing.