Chicago Cubs prospect Owen Caissie breaking out in Double-A

The Chicago Cubs have always believed that outfield prospect Owen Caissie has the best power bat of all their prospects and that power is beginning to show for Caissie while playing with Double-A Tennessee.

On the season, Caissie is slashing .299/.395/.598 through 114 plate appearances with the Tennessee Smokies this season to go along with 7 home runs. After Wednesday's 3-run home run for Caissie, he now has a wRC+ of 168 on the season to go along with a wOBA of .438.

What makes Caissie's start to the 2023 season with the Smokies even more impressive is that Major League Baseball is experimenting with a pre-tacked ball in Double-A and the initial results have shown a favor for pitchers as batting averages are down and strikeouts are up for hitters.

Caissie began the 2023 season as the 12th-best prospect in the Cubs' minor league system according to MLB Pipeline but the expectation is that he will jump into the top 10 by the time that season concludes.

It also would not be a complete surprise if Caissie leapfrogs both Brennen Davis and Alexander Canario in terms of how the Cubs' outfield prospects are ranked. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Caissie's teammate with the Smokies, is undoubtedly the top prospect in the organization, and outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara is next.

With Davis struggling with Triple-A Iowa this season and Canario recovering from both ankle and shoulder surgeries, Caissie figures to emerge as the third-best outfield prospect in the Cubs' system before too long.

Of course, it will be interesting to see how the Cubs' outfield picture is mapped out in the coming seasons. Ian Happ's three-year contract extension takes effect in 2024 and Seiya Suzuki is under contract through 2026. The Cubs seemingly only have one spot open in the outfield moving forward after this season. Though, Caissie, with his ability to hit with power from the left side, may force his way into the picture.

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