Top 10 young players important to the Chicago Cubs future

The Chicago Cubs are on the cusp of fielding a playoff team despite their below .500 record. With the farm system starting to churn out talent and high-value players getting closer to the MLB level, there is a lot to look forward to in the coming years. Here are 10 players 25 years or younger to look forward to that will be vital to the Cubs' future.

1. 1B Matt Mervis

Affectionately known as Mash, the 25-year-old Matt Mervis made his MLB debut in early May and earned everyday playing time from the get-go. Despite having veteran first-basemen Trey Mancini and Eric Hosmer on the team, an offensive shakeup was needed and the Cubs needed to start figuring out if Mervis can handle MLB pitching. Thankfully Hosmer was designated for assignment soon after to make the path even clearer and Mervis has been playing most days ever since.

A relative unknown at this time last year, Mervis was signed as an undrafted free agent and stormed his way onto the scene when he started mashing home runs last season. He put up one of the best offensive seasons among all prospects last year with 36 home runs, 119 RBIs, and a .984 OPS. Since the Cubs have been struggling to find a long-term first baseman since the Anthony Rizzo trade, Mervis could be the guy to fill that hole for years to come. His defense has been above average and although his power hasn't shown up at the big league level, there is still time for him to refine his skills while he sees everyday playing time.

2. IF/OF Christopher Morel

It's hard to believe that Christopher Morel was just 22 years old when he made his major league debut last May. Now a year later, after beginning the season in Iowa, Morel is on an absolute tear at the plate with 9 home runs on the season in his first 13 games played. That already puts him second on the team behind only the slumping Patrick Wisdom. Because of a couple of IL stints from Nico Hoerner and Cody Bellinger respectively, Morel has been able to squeeze into the lineup every day while playing all over the diamond and being slotted into virtually every spot in the lineup in his historical tear.

The problem is when Cody Bellinger comes back, the path for everyday playing time gets murky for Morel. However, I would opt for Morel to be the starting third baseman over Patrick Wisdom. Wisdom may be the best defensive third baseman on the active roster, and he may be leading the team in home runs, but I would rather see him platoon at DH with Mancini so Morel can play third. The only way Morel can exceed on defense is by playing one position, and third base makes the most sense with all the other spots filled. He is also 8 years younger than Wisdom so he hasn't even hit his physical prime yet while Wisdom is years removed from his. Also, Nick Madrigal has no business getting reps at third while Morel is on the team.

3. RHP Hayden Wesneski

25-year-old Hayden Wesneski was acquired in a pretty shrewd swap for Scott Effross at the 2022 trade deadline. His starting abilities were showcased at a high level down the stretch in 2022, and he won the fifth starter job in Spring Training this year. However, his outstanding performances were no longer a constant and while he turned in a few quality starts, Wesneski's big league ERA sits at 5.03. This earned him a demotion to Triple-A in early May where Wesneski has made 1 start so far where he went 5 innings without yielding a run. I'm not ready to give up on him and neither are the Cubs because his stuff is too good to not play in MLB. Whether he ends up being a reliever or returns to the starting rotation at some point, Wesneski will be back this year and hopefully, he finds his groove to help this team compete in the future.

4. RHP Jeremiah Estrada

With the Cubs' offseason additions to the bullpen not working out (Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger), the young arms coming out of Iowa are going to be needed in high-leverage situations. Enter 24-year-old Jeremiah Estrada, who has yet to give up an earned run at the MLB level in 2023 through his 8 innings pitched. Standing at an unassuming 6'1 and 185 pounds, Estrada sports a high 90s fastball and a wipeout slider to a very effective level. I anticipate he will start getting reps in higher leverage situations with Boxberger on the IL and Michael Fulmer not trustworthy in a save situation anymore. He was given the ball on Tuesday against the Mets when Drew Smyly loaded the bases with no outs. He was able to escape with the Mets only getting one run with Pete Alonso at the plate.

6. RHP Ben Brown

Perhaps the best addition from the 2022 trade deadline has turned out to be Cubs' no. 6 prospect, Ben Brown. With an intimidating frame of 6'6 and 210 pounds, Brown brings a big fastball that tops out at 98mph and a power curveball that induces most of his swings and misses. Since he only has two-plus pitches, many think Brown is destined for the bullpen at the MLB level. However, there are starters in the league that produce at an elite level while using mostly two pitches. In fact, one of them is Justin Steele who primarily uses a fastball and slider combo. Another great example is Braves ace Spencer Strider who is destined to win a Cy Young award at some point.

Brown recently earned a promotion to Triple-A Iowa, where his production has decreased a bit but he still owns a 2.33 ERA on the year. He will probably make his way to the big league roster at some point this season where he will hopefully stay for years to come.

7. C Miguel Amaya

Miguel Amaya has recently recaptured his status as the Cubs' catcher of the future. When Yan Gomes went down with a concussion, Amaya was plucked out of Double-A Tennessee to fill in for a week. He not only showed how well he can handle the pitching staff but proved that his bat has a lot of potential. He didn't have much to show for it in terms of batting average, but Amaya put together several impressive at-bats with deep counts and a lot of hard contact. When Gomes came back, Amaya went down to Triple-A for the first time in his career where he is continuing to put up great numbers while he waits for his next big league opportunity. For a guy who has endured many injuries in his career, Amaya's resurgence is a welcome sight and hopefully, his return to Wrigley comes sooner rather than later.

8. LHP Jordan Wicks

Soft-throwing southpaw Jordan Wicks was chosen 21st overall by the Cubs in 2021 and he has quickly become one of their most promising minor league arms. Over 8 starts this season, Wicks has thrown 53 innings with a 2.55 ERA and struck out 44. In my mind, he is sort of a mix between Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks, with the former's frame and simplified lefty delivery and the latter's heavy reliance on the changeup. Since he doesn't lean on velocity, Wicks should have longevity in both ballgames and in his career overall making him perfect for a starting pitching role if he can continue his success at the MLB level. With the numbers he's putting up in Tennessee, I would expect a Triple-A promotion any day.

9. RHP Cade Horton

The first overall pick in 2022, Cade Horton has shot his way up the Cubs' system in less than a year. He is already considered the No. 2 rookie in the system and 66th in all of baseball. After skipping over rookie ball, Horton shined for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and already earned a promotion to the A+ South Bend Cubs. In his 3 starts for South Bend, the 21-year-old Horton has tossed 10.2 innings with an 8.44 ERA. He'll have to make some major adjustments before his next promotion but fortunately, he is still racking up the strikeouts with 36 on the year. He is projected to be a big league starter so hopefully he can reach the Triple-A level in either 2024 or 2025.

10. OF Kevin Alcantara

The main prize of the Anthony Rizzo trade in 2021 was outfielder Kevin Alcantara, who stands at a commanding 6'6 and wields some of the best raw power in the system. The 20-year-old currently plays for the South Bend Cubs, where he is slashing .219/.255/.356 with 3 home runs and 21 RBIs. Those numbers don't exactly jump off the page, but the potential is there for Alcantara to be a 30-home run threat if he can fill out his tall frame. As the No. 3 prospect for the Cubs, Alcantara could end up being a solid trade chip since the outfield is pretty much set for the next few years.

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