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9 of Chicago Cubs top 30 prospects make a stacked AA Tennessee Roster
The Chicago Cubs finally have a farm system that ranks in the better half of the league, and those top prospects are making their way up quickly. The Cubs AA affiliate - the Tennessee Smokies - released their roster on Tuesday, and it is loaded with 9 of the Cubs top 30 prospects ranked by MLB including their number 1 minor leaguer Pete Crow-Armstrong. This means that a big wave of young talent is inching its way to the big league roster, and those players could provide some invaluable depth for a Chicago team that is looking to get back to the postseason within the next couple of years. Let's take a look at each of those top prospects who will be repping the Tennessee Smokies in AA and hopefully AAA Iowa soon after.
1. OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs #1)
The aforementioned top prospect in the entire Cubs minor league system is the speedy outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Cubs fans are already chomping at the bit to see this guy patrol center field at Wrigley as there is a lot to like about this 21-year old stud. Armstrong boasts one of the best gloves among all minor league outfield prospects and he took home a gold glove last year for his efforts between Myrtle Beach and South Bend.
Pete Crow-Armstrong with an outstanding catch. 😳 pic.twitter.com/YgkZpWggg1
— MLB (@MLB) March 7, 2023
The Cubs acquired their prized youngster, who also ranks 28th among all Milb prospects, at the 2021 trade deadline in exchange for Javier Baez and Trevor Williams. In hindsight, giving up half a year of Baez and Williams was a bargain compared to potentially years worth of perennial gold glove nods and leadoff hits Armstrong will hopefully give the Cubs. With a lefty bat, incredible speed (32 stolen bases last season) and gold glove caliber defense, the Cubs have quite a player on their hands and he will likely find his way to AAA Iowa by the end of the 2023 season.
2. LHP Jordan Wicks (Cubs # 6)
The Chicago Cubs drafted lefty Jordan Wicks in the first round (21st overall) of the 2021 draft. Standing at 6'3 and 220 pounds, the big southpaw is projected to be a big league starter as he boasts a five pitch mix highlighted by a plus changeup. The 23-year-old made tossed 94 innings last season between A+ South Bend and AA Tennessee with a 3.80 ERA and 121 strikeouts over 24 starts. If he can continue his development by throwing a full season in the minors this year, the Cubs could may finally develop their first big league starter in over a decade.
3. RHP Ben Brown (Cubs #8)
Ben Brown found himself in the Cubs organization after last year's trade deadline when the Phillies dealt him for closer David Robertson. At 6'6 with a mid 90s fastball, Brown has the tools to become a solid bullpen arm or even a closer. In 104 innings last year, Brown posted a 3.38 ERA with a whopping 149 strikeouts. In the very near future, Brown could be a part of that all-home grown bullpen that Jed Hoyer likes to dream about.
4. OF Owen Caissie #13
Drafted in the 2nd round by the San Diego Padres in 2020, Owen Caissie came to the Cubs later that year as a part of the Yu Darvish trade. Since then, Caissie has climbed his way up the system to become one of the many top outfield prospects in the Cubs' system, and this will be his first time playing as high as AA. The 20-year-old has a lot of potential in the power department, but his plate discipline needs fine tuning as does his fielding. But he possesses a good throwing arm and some of the best raw power in the system so he is a guy to keep an eye on as he looks to truly break out this season after collecting 11 home runs and 58 RBIs in 2022.
5. RHP Daniel Palencia (Cubs # 14)
Another newcomer to the AA level is right handed pitcher Daniel Palencia, who started 20 games at A+ South Bend last season with a 3.94 ERA. Although his numbers weren't the greatest, Palencia's fastball is considered the best in the entire system as it averages between 96-98 mph and tops out at a stunning 102. Although he has three other pitches, those being an upper 80s slider, a knuckle-curve and a changeup, it would make sense for him to focus on just one or two of them since his blazing fastball limits his durability and potential as a starter. Additionally, Palencia failed to throw five innings in any of his 20 starts last year. Luckily the Cubs have plenty of starting pitching depth, meaning Palencia could contribute as a set up man in the bullpen with his electric fastball.
6. C Miguel Amaya (Cubs # 15)
Miguel Amaya has had a rough go of it in the past few years as he was projected to already be on the big league roster at this point, but he has yet to even make it to AAA. His catching abilities are not to blame for the misfortune, as Amaya is considered to be one of, if not the best catcher in the system outside of Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart. A Tommy John surgery in 2021 and a Lisfranc fracture in his foot last September has sidelined the 24-year-old for the majority of the last two seasons. Hopefully Amaya can stay healthy enough to finally get to AAA, where he will be knocking at the door to be the Cubs' next home grown big league catcher.
7. RHP Porter Hodge (Cubs # 21)
The 22-year-old Porter Hodge had himself an outstanding breakout year in 2022, where he put up a dazzling 2.63 ERA in 109 innings between low A and high A. He was an integral part of the South Bend Cubs' starting rotation, and helped lead the team to the Midwest League Championship. Hodge was taken in the 13th round by the Cubs in 2019, and he boasts a mid 90s fastball with a curveball, slider and changeup to boot. Standing at 6'4, he has the frame to be a starting pitcher but he needs to refine his secondary pitches and work on his control. Hodge has high up side and it will be a big year for him as he starts the season at AA.
8. 2B/3B Chase Strumpf (Cubs # 25)
A second rounder from 2019, infielder Chase Strumpf will be returning to AA after spending the entirety of 2022 in Tennessee. He had a fine year with 21 home runs and 73 walks in 393 at-bats. Although he primarily plays second base, he can play third as well, which is where the Cubs would need him with Nico Hoerner holding it down at second. Should Hoerner go down with an injury though, Strumpf may get his chance at the majors very soon as he is proving to be a decent power threat for a second baseman.
9. RHP Ryan Jensen (Cubs #29)
Ryan Jensen is looking to make the Iowa Cubs roster this year after a full season with Tennessee last year. In 17 starts with the Smokies, the former first round pick had a 4.25 ERA over 59 innings. The Cubs had enough faith in Jensen to add him to the 40 man roster this offseason in order to protect him from the rule-5 draft. With an powerful two-seamer averaging between 94-96 mph, a 4-seam and sweeping curveball, Jensen is likely also destined for the bullpen as he struggles to throw his slider and changeup for strikes.
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