4 Chicago Cubs prospects turning heads in spring training

As much fun as it has been to watch this newly put-together Chicago Cubs team play baseball games again, it must be remembered how vital this showcase is for the prospects in the organization as well. At the time of writing, several are exceeding expectations that deserve mention, and it truly is an exciting time to be a fan, as the next great Chicago Cubs team is just around the corner.

Though some are further out from the MLB than others, the Cubs currently have several players that at least have an average chance or higher to make it to the major leagues. It's hard to do so, but we will narrow this list to just four prospects with a high ceiling that are currently turning heads in spring training that you will hear about more as the season progresses, starting with Caleb Kilian.

4 Chicago Cubs prospects turning heads in spring training - Caleb Kilian

Kilian looked fantastic in his outing against the Diamondbacks. After struggling with his command last season, Kilian looked sharp, firing two shutout innings, allowing no runs, no hits, and no walks, while firing two punchouts. After those struggles, Kilian spent most of the 2022 campaign in Iowa trying to fine-tune his mechanics and be the dominant rotation piece that Jed Hoyer thought he could be.

His early accuracy is a welcome sight for a Chicago Cubs team that needs as much dominant pitching as possible. With Hayden Wesneski and Justin Steele getting the lion's share of the attention regarding the future of the starting rotation, let's remember the upside that Kilian can bring to the table, too. The Cubs are loaded with pitching prospect depth; several could be eyeing a breakout campaign. Keep Kilian circled on your list of who to watch this year.

4 Chicago Cubs prospects turning heads in spring training - Hayden Wesneski

As many remember, Hayden Wesneski was acquired via trade last season for Scott Effross at the deadline. Knock on wood, but it appears this was an absolute fleecing by the front office. Credit the front office's ability to scout pitching because Wesneski has all the making of a big-league starter and looks ready to explode this season. Staying below the 50.0 innings threshold, Wesneski will technically enter his rookie campaign in 2023 after a strong showing in which he produced a 2.18 ERA and 0.9 WAR, according to Baseball Reference, in 33 innings pitched last year.

Wesneski's ability to create incredible movement on his five-pitch arsenal makes him someone that can truly step into the limelight this coming season. His upside is sky-high, and although it is too soon to label him the ace-caliber arm that the Cubs so desperately need, if I had to pick, my money is on this guy. He is only 25 years old, with all of his years of team control intact, so if he pans and achieves what many believe he can, he should be in a Cubs uniform for years to come.

4 Chicago Cubs prospects turning heads in spring training - 2. Kevin Alcantara

Kevin Alcantara has impressed with an even .500 batting average in eight spring training at-bats. Considering Alcantara, who is just 20 years old and was just at A-Ball in Myrtle Beach last season, is hitting the caliber of pitching he is, it should be no time before he flies up the ranks. In a perfect world, he crushes High-A South Bend and advances to Double-A Tennesse by the end of the season with an eye on Triple-A Iowa to begin the '24 campaign.

The number two prospect in the farm system, according to MLB Pipeline, Alcantara has one of the highest ceilings in the Cubs organization in recent memory. Last season, he slashed .273/.360/.451 with 85 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. For a guy who would be in his Sophomore year at college, it speaks volumes about how much talent he possesses. Hopefully, it won't be more than a year or two before he is in a Cubs uniform at the big league level.