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There are only two true untouchables in this Chicago Cubs system
If I'm being honest, Cade Horton barely made this list. I would be open to listening on him. But I think the Cubs have him firmly in the 'untouchable' bucket and they'll hope he factors into the Cubs pitching staff at some point next season.
After carving up hitters in the lower levels of the minors in 2023, Horton ran off four dominant starts at Double-A Tennessee to open the 2024 campaign before earning a promotion to Iowa. There, he was less effective, with a 7.50 ERA in five starts before hitting the shelf with a should issue. His velocity was down prior to the injury, so it'll be all eyes on the right-hander next spring to see if he can recapture his form from 2023.
The one true untouchable here is Matt Shaw, who was just named the Chicago Cubs prospect of the year by Baseball America. The infielder put up eye-popping numbers in 2023 and followed it up this year with an .867 OPS between Tennessee and Iowa, including a .929 clip at Triple-A. He runs well, can play second, short or third and will be on the big-league club before the 2025 season wraps up.