3 Cubs prospects whose stock dramatically rose this season

3. Cam Smith

Although he was just drafted by the Cubs in July, third baseman Cam Smith has been tearing through the minor leagues and he has already reached the Double-A level. The 22-year-old was taken by the Cubs 13th overall out of Florida State University, and he has already cracked the top 100 prospects list. Smith boasts an impressive slash line of .313/.396/.609 through 32 games across three minor league levels, with 16 extra-base hits and 24 RBIs.

Going into 2024, the Cubs were lacking at the third base position throughout the system. But now, Shaw has emerged as a legitimate call-up candidate, Paredes is manning third base in the majors for now and Smith is potentially the exciting young power hitter that the team has been looking to develop for years at this point. Tough playing time decisions will need to be made but it is not a bad thing for the team to boast this much talent that is near big-league ready.

Paredes is likely to keep third base locked down for the foreseeable future, but it's nice to know the Cubs can lean on their depth should he go down with an injury. Smith's quick rise will likely put him in the mix as early as the end of next season should his first full year as a pro go well.