Cubs make an unprecedented move with three of their best prospects

The Chicago Cubs boast seven of MLB Pipeline's top 100 prospects - and with the news that Kevin Alcantara, Matt Shaw and James Triantos are all being promoted - six of them will be on the Triple-A roster, giving the Iowa Cubs an impressive collection of young talent.

The trio joins Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros and the injured Cade Horton, meaning that much of the organization's best prospects are now at the highest levels of the minors. Given the underperforming big league club, there is now hope that some of these guys could make an impact in Chicago as early as 2025.

One could make the case that, given the Cubs' major question marks behind the plate, Ballesteros should get a look down the stretch - but whether or not that happens remains to be seen. As for the newest I-Cubs, their numbers down at Double-A on the year tell a pretty convincing story.

Shaw, the Cubs' first-round pick from just one year ago, has rocketed through the minors, displaying the hit tool that made him such an enticing draft prospect coming out of Maryland. With Double-A Tennessee, the infielder slashed .279/.373/.468, showing a good amount of pop with 11 doubles and 14 home runs.

Despite being ranked as MLB Pipeline's #51 prospect in all of baseball, it seems like Triantos has flown under the radar at times. Even so, the 21-year-old has done nothing but produce this year, slashing .300/.345/.437 with 38 stolen bases. The thought of the speed of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Triantos potentially in a Cubs lineup in the not-too-distant future is certainly an exciting thought.

Headliner from the 2021 Anthony Rizzo trade among those promoted

While both Triantos and Shaw are Jed Hoyer draft picks, Alcantara came over in the Anthony Rizzo trade. Most of those moves are yet to pay major dividends at the major league level (PCA being the only one who's really seen extended action to this point) so seeing Alcantara knocking on the door is promising.

The 6-6 outfielder got off to a cold start this year, but has picked up steam at the season's progressed, raising his line to a respectable .272/.342/.409. Given his size and frame, you'd like to see more power from him as he continues to fill out. A tremendous athlete, this guy has future corner outfielder written all over him - and playing next to PCA, not much is going to drop in-between these guys defensively.

Of course, the elephant in the room is that virtually every position on the MLB roster is locked in, meaning moves will have to be made before these guys can seize a starting gig. But given how the Cubs have failed to live up to expectations, change may be on the horizon anyway, and with a group of some of the game's best prospects waiting in the wings, we could see the next generation sooner rather than later.