Recent Chicago Cubs first-round pick already making history

With Pete Crow-Armstrong beginning to click at the Major League level along with the imminent arrivals of Owen Caissie, Matt Shaw, and Kevin Alcantara, the Cubs' farm system will be in need of new prospects at the top of their rankings.

The biggest reason the previous Cubs' contention window ended abruptly was that once the likes of Javy Baez, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Kyle Schwarber reached the Major League level, the focus shifted from developing the farm system to have pieces at the Major League to developing the farm system in order to acquire Major League talent to address needs.

If the Cubs are going to avoid that mistake with Jed Hoyer's rebuild, they will need to make sure that the talent they are acquiring for their top prospects keeps the contention propped open instead of accelerating the closing of it.

2024 first-round pick Cam Smith's development will be a key component to the Cubs having that desired streamline of talent between the farm system and the Major League level once the current top prospects graduate.

Smith is in the midst of his first professional season and is currently with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. The Cubs' latest first-rounder is already making history.

Cam Smith's power already on display in the Cubs' farm system.

For a Cubs team that lacks power throughout the organization, Smith having a streak of five consecutive games with a home run certainly has fans salivating at the idea of him hitting at Wrigley Field.

Entering the game on Saturday night, Smith was slashing .317/.404/.707 through 47 plate appearances with the Class-A Pelicans.

Smith was selected as a third baseman but it remains to be seen if that will be his position by the time he reaches the Major League level. Some projections also have Smith converting into a corner outfielder.