Owen Caissie is shaping up as the Chicago Cubs best option for a September call-up

Despite some positive signs from the Chicago Cubs in their series win over St. Louis, the cold reality once again set in with another lifeless loss to open the series against Minnesota on Monday. The team likely doesn't have a miracle run left in them, meaning it's "wait 'til next year" for playoff hopes once again. Even in a bleak season, though, there's still one thing to look forward to - September call-ups.

This year's round of promotions could also see the arrival of one of the team's most intriguing prospects when rosters expand. While catcher Moises Ballesteros seemed like a strong candidate given the team's struggles behind the plate, he's cooled off significantly over the past month with a .239/.295/.409 slash line since July 1. Instead, their #3 overall prospect Owen Caissie seems to be the likeliest option among the Cubs' top prospects.

Caissie has spent the entire season in Triple-A Iowa with some solid results all around. In 89 games, he's posted a .278/.375/.452 slash line, good for a 115 wRC+. He hasn't fully tapped into the raw power that makes him so tantalizing, but he still has 11 home runs to his name. Perhaps most importantly though, his 27.6% strikeout rate is at the lowest it's been across his minor league career thus far. It's his biggest flaw and, while he still needs to drop that number further, it's a mark of improvement as he's ascended the Cubs' farm system.

At only 22, Caissie has made great strides since first coming to the Cubs in the Yu Darvish trade in 2021. Yet, he still has room to grow into his 70-grade raw power. Even now, his ability to crack the 110 mph exit velocity mark has been compared to super sluggers like Yordan Alvarez, leaving fans dreaming of his future as a corner outfielder, first baseman, or designated hitter.

On the one hand, sending him to Chicago may seem like an odd choice considering the Cubs already have five outfielders playing musical chairs for spots in the lineup. However, it's becoming increasingly important that the team get a read on what they have for 2025. Following the promotions of Matt Shaw, James Triantos, and Kevin Alcantara to Triple-A, they have more of their top prospects knocking on the door of the majors than ever. Caissie would also need to be added to the 40-man in the offseason, making a move all the more reasonable.

The Cubs and Owen Caissie could benefit from a September call-up

Even if at-bats are limited, they could still be valuable for his long-term development. Pete Crow-Armstrong's cup of coffee in the majors in 2023 was ultimately beneficial in making him a regular on the team. The same could be true for Caissie if he gets the time to work with the big-league staff and develop a plan for the offseason and beyond. There's also always the slim chance he explodes at the major league level and provides a power boost they've desperately needed from the left side. If anything, it'd be a chance to learn more about how ready he is and could inform what comes next, whether that be a trade or an extended run with the team.

There's still just under a month left until rosters expand, leaving time for someone like Ballesteros to justify a call-up. Right now, though, it makes the most sense to get a look at Caissie after a year in Triple-A to see how his prodigious raw power factors into 2025 and beyond. Gathering data should be the mantra for the remainder of the season as they determine who plays into the future of this team.