3 unheralded Cubs prospects that could make an impact in 2023

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Barring any out-of-nowhere trades and the smaller relief signings, the Chicago Cubs seem to be done with the bulk of their offseason shopping. It's been a fruitful trip through free agency, even if the team didn't address quite all their needs (like, say, a power bat). Now, though, it's a good time to start looking inward to see who the Cubs have on the farm that can come up throughout the season to provide some extra help.

2023 figures to be an important year prospect-wise as the first wave of young talent starts banging on the door to the major leagues. We could finally see the arrival of Brennen Davis, assuming he returns to form and his health holds up, and Matt Mervis is likely to break camp with the team as he looks to become the team's long-term answer at first base. There's also a glut of young pitching prospects ready with Hayden Wesneski, Caleb Kilian, Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks, and more vying for a rotation spot.

We've heard all these names before, but the Cubs farm system has gotten far deeper over the past few years. Inevitably, there will be more unheralded prospects that make their way to Wrigley Field much like Christopher Morel and Brandon Hughes did last year. Let's take a look at three names that, while not among the most discussed players among the Cubs' minor league affiliates, have a shot at making the big league team at some point in 2023.

#3: Darius Hill

Of these three, Darius Hill feels like a near-lock to get some at-bats at Wrigley this year. The left-handed outfielder solidified himself last year as a master of putting balls in play, quietly thriving in Double-A Tennessee with a .308/.360/.486 slash line and a minuscule 11.9 percent strikeout rate. He'd get the call up to Triple-A partway through the season and stay right on the same track with a .318/.358/.434 line and 14.2 percent strikeout rate. While not a major power threat, he was still able to hit the gaps and rack up doubles through both levels. If he continues to show that he can thrive early next year, he'd make a respectable fourth outfielder for the Cubs going forward.

I could see a future where Hill's low strikeout rate and high contact make him a solid choice for the Cubs to sub in off the bench when they desperately need a ball in play. He could earn a call-up sooner rather than later to cover for injury or for depth if someone like Nick Madrigal or Nelson Velazquez struggles. He brings a similar skillset to Madrigal, but being able to cover any of the three outfield positions with another lefty bat is a boon. At the very least, it helps to have a guy like Hill who seems to be making strides and possesses skills that should translate relatively well to the majors.

Daniel Palencia pitches during the South Bend Cubs vs. Peoria Chiefs minor league baseball game / Chloe Trofatter / USA TODAY NETWORK

#2: Daniel Palencia

If the Cubs are well within the playoff race after the All-Star break, it wouldn't be a shocker to see them tap their fireballing prospect Daniel Palencia to give a boost to the bullpen. I only say that because they reportedly considered that very scenario last year after he broke out in a major way. Since coming over in the Andrew Chafin trade, Palencia has posted some eye-popping numbers throughout the minors. While his ERA hasn't been spectacular, he managed 11.7 strikeouts per nine in High-A last year along with a groundball rate of 45.7 percent and a league-leading 19.6 percent swinging strike rate.

While the Cubs would still likely prefer to make a starter out of Palencia, it's entirely possible they'll be tempted to tap him to add another power arm to the bullpen for a playoff run. They still lack an extreme flamethrower that can touch triple digits and Palencia showed he can do it and still keep a manageable 4.18 walks per nine in 2023. This one is pretty contingent on multiple factors, namely injuries or ineffectiveness requiring further relief help, whether or not Palencia continues his torrid pace, and how competitive the team is. Given that he only seemed to get better as time went on though, there may still be room to grow for the young Palencia.

It wouldn't be until later in the year, but Palencia could find himself knocking on the door of the majors if he continues his rapid ascent. I wouldn't rule him out from pitching meaningful innings for the Cubs in 2023.

New York Mets v Chicago Cubs - Game One / Chase Agnello-Dean/GettyImages

#1: Chase Strumpf

Chase Strumpf was oh-so-close to getting over the hump in 2022. In Double-A Tennessee last year, he was setting up for a major breakout by June and completely exploded in July thanks to an improved ability to make contact and elevate the ball. In July, he managed a stellar .322/.431/.542 slash line and, on the year, he experienced a significant power increase, jumping from a previous high ISO of .169 last year to .226 as he hit by far a career-high with 21 home runs. He did see his strikeout rate balloon to 33.3 percent as a result, but he managed to keep his 15 percent walk rate.

The only question is whether Strumpf can return to the form he found around the midpoint of last year. His hot streak was cut short after being hit in the hand by a pitch and his performance tanked for a while after. Still, he finished out the season strong enough with a .237/.392/.475 line in September to inspire confidence in his improved power stroke. He should be a fixture at Triple-A this year, putting him well within striking distance of the majors.

Next. Three bold predictions for the Cubs in 2023. dark

Strumpf could find himself in a valuable position comparable to Morel from last year. An injury or two in the infield could prompt the Cubs to give him a look at second or third. Even if that weren't the case, he might be able to work his way onto the team if those improvements continue. Nobody is firmly locking down third base at this point with both Morel and Patrick Wisdom likely to share time there. If Strumpf takes another step forward with improvements to his contact, he could be a solid performer on the North Side this year.

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