Chicago Cubs Rumors: 3 potential prospects for the Rule 5 draft.

1) Dominic Canzone (1B/OF)

The first prospect and possibly the most enticing is Dominic Canzone from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 25-year-old is the Diamondbacks' 19th-ranked prospect according to MLB. After being drafted in the 8th round of the 2019 MLB draft, Canzone was left unprotected for this year's rule 5 draft. This should come as no surprise because the Diamondbacks have a surplus of outfield talent on their 40-man roster already. Unfortunately for them, Canzone seemed to be the odd man out in that group.

Canzone has hit at every level he has played at in the minor leagues. After being drafted in 2019, Canzone slashed .281/.318/.535 with 8 home runs and 38 RBI. There was no minor league season in 2020, but Canzone actually hit better after the off-year. In 2021, he hit .302 with 14 home runs and 52 RBI over 79 games. 2022 was his best power year, and he still hit for a high average. He batted .299 while going deep 22 times and driving in 89. Canzone ended the 2022 season in triple-A and that is where he played a majority of the 2022 season.

The Diamondbacks simply just do not have room on the roster for Canzone, but other teams do. The Cubs have a few spots left on their 40-man roster, and they are able to make selections in the Rule 5 draft. Canzone plays corner outfield and first base. If the Cubs decide to wait on Matt Mervis and give him another year to develop, taking the left-handed hitting Canzone could provide Mervis with the time he needs to continue developing. Canzone can fill in at first base when needed, and he can play a little corner outfield too. He has swung the bat well at every level he has played at, and if he can produce similar numbers in the big leagues, the Cubs could slot him in at DH as well. I will even be bold and say that Dominic Canzone will definitely be drafted in this year's rule 5 draft, and if the Cubs have the chance to take him, they should.

2) Corey Julks (OF)

The second prospect the Cubs should take under consideration is Corey Julks. Julks is the number 30th-ranked prospect in the Houston Astros organization according to MLB. Julks was drafted in the 8th round out of the University of Houston in 2017. The Astros can really develop their players and Julks is not any different. However, there are five outfielders on the Astros' 40-man (including Yordan Alvarez) at the moment and they are all major league players. Julks is 26 years old, and just not where the Astros want him to be right now, and that is why they decided to leave him unprotected.

In 2022, Julks made a huge jump in his production at the plate. He slashed a solid .270/.351/.503 in triple-A this past season. The 26-year-old also made a massive jump in power. He hit 31 home runs and had 89 RBI. His previous season's high in home runs was just 14. Julks also stole 22 bases on the year. This uptick in production is very encouraging to see, and because he spent the whole year facing triple-A competition, Julks should be at the top of the Cubs rule 5 draft board.

The Cubs are in need of an outfielder this off-season. Of course, Julks is not the outfielder that will put them over the top, but he will be able to help out when the starting outfielders have off days. Julks started 46 games at third base for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys this past year, and although he is a much stronger defender in the outfield, the Cubs could certainly use the third base help as well. This is a player who seems to be major-league-ready at the plate. He might be more of a corner outfielder and an average defender, but his hitting stats in 2022 definitely earned him a shot at the big-league level and the Cubs should seriously consider him.

3) Erik Miller (LHP)

The final prospect the Cubs should consider taking is Erik Miller. Miller was drafted out of Stanford in the 4th round in 2019 and is the Philadelphia Phillies 7th ranked prospect according to MLB. He is a left-handed pitcher that works primarily out of the bullpen. The Phillies made a world series run in 2022, and I do not think they want to change much heading into 2023. They have a few holes to fill, but their bullpen was lights out in November. Miller, although highly ranked, does not seem to be in the future plans for the Phillies bullpen.

Pitching in both double-A and triple-A, Miller finished with a 3.54 ERA in 48 1/3 innings pitched. The 24-year-old appeared in 32 games with 25 of those games coming out of the bullpen. In those innings, he struck out 62 batters. The one concern here is the 31 walks he finished with in those innings. However, his control was actually very good in double-A, it is triple-A where he seemed to struggle with his locating. This may seem like a concern, but he has proved to have control of his pitches, and the triple-A issues do not look like something that will last.

After trading away a few relievers, the Cubs' bullpen talent was scarce last season. Along with centerfield and first base, the bullpen should be at the top of the Cubs' list of things to improve for 2023. According to Miller's scouting report, he has three pitches he can mix in, and in shorter outings, his fastball can reach the high 90s. A left-handed pitcher who can reach back and pitch with some velocity is something the Cubs were lacking in 2022. If he can keep his walk rate down, but keep his strikeout rate high, he could be a real asset in the bullpen for the Cubs. Not to mention, hitters hit just .222 off of him this past season and just .203 in his minor league career. The Cubs have a need in the bullpen, and to be honest, there is not much to choose from in free agency. Erik Miller is a good, young bullpen arm and the Cubs should definitely keep a close eye on him during the rule 5 draft.

HONORABLE MENTION: Garrett Acton (RHP, Oakland Athletics), TJ Sikkema (LHP Kansas City Royals), Antoine Kelly (LHP Texas Rangers), Kameron Misner (OF Tampa Bay Rays), Michael Helman (UT Minnesota Twins)