Chicago Cubs News: Farm system rankings, Curtis Taylor, and more

After revealing his Top 100 Major League Baseball prospect rankings earlier this week, Kylie McDaniel of ESPN has now ranked Major League Baseball team's farm system as a whole and he shared his insight on the Chicago Cubs minor league system.

"11. Chicago Cubs ($220.5 million) Last year: 19th, 182.5 million Top-100 prospects: 3 The Cubs seem to have turned the corner in their rebuild and are now left with the hard part: bridging the gap with the Cardinals at the top of the NL Central. Chicago has improved the big league team this winter and the farm system has notably improved over the last year. Lefty Jordan Wicks and center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong both took big steps forward and the Cubs added a couple of prospects who now rank in the top 10 of their system in first-round pick Cade Horton and Hayden Wesneski, who came over from the Yankees at the deadline. The entire top tier of the system either held serve or improved, which was crucial with so many young high-variance hitters in the low minors. I don't think the Cubs will return to the playoffs in 2023, but I see a path to the farm system helping create a postseason contender in 2024."

- Kylie McDaniel via ESPN

The Cubs jumped eight spots in McDaniel's farm system rankings and that speaks to the overall progress that was made by the team in 2022. Pete Crow-Armstrong certainly proved to be the top prospect in the Cubs' system as his 2022 breakout was enough for him to leapfrog outfielder Brennen Davis as the organization's top prospect in 2023.

2023 could see another climb for the Cubs in regard to their prospect rankings. There are two prospects, in particular, outfielders Kevin Alcantara and Owen Caissie, that appear to be primed for a breakout season in 2023. Alcantara. assuming Crow-Armstrong graduates from the minor league system by 2024 is primed to become the top prospect in the Cubs; organization if he continues with his trajectory.

Chicago Cubs sign Curtis Taylor to minor-league deal

The Chicago Cubs added more pitching depth on Friday as they added right-handed pitcher Curtis Taylor on a minor-league deal. The deal was revealed on the Cubs' transaction page but the assumption is that Taylor will also have an invite to Spring Training. Taylor has yet to reach the Major League level in his career and has posted a 3.42 ERA in 6 minor-league seasons.

Speaking of invites to Spring Training, we should be getting an official list from the Cubs in the coming days regarding the official non-roster invites to Spring Training.

Dexter Fowler gives advice to Cody Bellinger on playing center field for the Chicago Cubs.