5 Chicago Cubs prospects that took a major step forward in 2023

After a year that catapulted the Cubs farm system into the top five overall, several players stuck out, and you could do a write-up on 15 prospects that leaped forward rather than breaking it down to just five. However, there's a reason these five, in particular, made the list, as they will be looked at to fill a significant league role or will be highly sought-after trade chips if the Cubs wish to dip into the deep end of the pool this winter. Let's take a look at five of those prospects that took a major step forward in 2023.

5 Cubs prospects that took a step forward - 5. Moises Ballesteros

Starting with Cubs Prospect Moises Ballesteros, who finished this season capping off a championship victory with Double-A Tennessee. On the season, between three levels, Ballesteros slashed a combined .285/.374/.449, launching 14 homers and driving in 64 in the process. The listed C/1B vision at the plate continued to be fantastic, as last season, he recorded 31 walks in 206 at-bats. This season, however, his walk rate essentially stayed the same, but he did the same thing for twice as many at-bats while doing so in higher levels of the minor leagues.

Granted, the numbers weren't as great in Double-A, albeit in a small sample size of 21 ABs over five games. Still, Ballesteros has proven that he can adjust once he starts seeing better pitching. Hard to envision him starting anywhere else than Double-A next season, and it will be great to see if he can get the nod to Triple-A Iowa before long. At only 19 years old, he's far more advanced than many players his age, which is why he sits at #7 on the Chicago Cubs prospect list, according to MLB Pipeline. He's a very viable candidate for a top 100 spot next season.