Last week MLB.com ranked their top ten RHP prospects, top ten LHP prospects, and the top ten catching prospects. This week they’ve picked up and ranked the top ten first baseman and they’ll round out the week with second base, third base, shortstop, outfield, and their overall top 100.
So far the Cubs have been extremely well-represented on the lists. They had the number two RHP with 2022 1st Rounder Cade Horton, the number nine LHP with 2021 1st Rounder Jordan Wicks, the number eight catcher on the list with 2021 IFA signing Moises Ballesteros, and the number five and six first basemen on the list with 2022 15th Rounder Haydn McGeary and UDFA Matt Mervis.
Outside of Cade Horton, the second base list published by the writers at MLB.com has the highest rating for a Cub so far with 2021 2nd Rounder James Triantos, our number seven prospect in this farm system appearing as the third best second base prospect in the game right now.
Triantos had helium going into his draft season which led to the Cubs giving him a massive overslot bonus for a second-round pick, and he had a solid showing at the end of 2021. However, in 2022 and 2023, as good as his contact has been, his power has left a little to be desired.
In our write up on him we had this to say:
"He walked (35) nearly as often as he struck out (39) so he should put up good at-bats and his utility to be used at various positions in the infield should help him make the Major League roster sooner rather than later, especially if he can find some of the power that has eluded his bat the last two seasons. "Cubbies Crib
If Triantos can develop some power this season at AA and maybe AAA he becomes a very interesting piece that could be used to improve this team, one way or another.
If you're interested in checking out our take on the top prospects in the Chicago Cubs farm system going into the 2024 season here's everything you need: