Cubs Top 10 Prospects For 2026

Today, we're unveiling the 10 best prospects in the Cubs system entering 2026.

The top of the Cubs system is headlined by Moises Ballesteros, who has defensive questions behind the plate but the offensive potential to compete for batting titles in the future.

Baseball America's Geoff Pontes is hosting a chat at 2 p.m. ET to discuss Ballesteros and the overall state of Chicago's farm system.

Projected 2029 Cubs Lineup

Catcher: Miguel Amaya (30)
First Base: Michael Busch (31)
Second Base: Jefferson Rojas (24)
Third Base: Matt Shaw (27)
Shortstop: Dansby Swanson (35)
Left Field: Owen Caissie (26)
Center Field: Pete Crow-Armstrong (27)
Right Field: Ethan Conrad (24)
Designated Hitter: Moises Ballesteros (25)

No. 1 Starter: Cade Horton (28)
No. 2 Starter: Jaxon Wiggins (27)
No. 3 Starter: Brandon Birdsell (29)
No. 4 Starter: Will Sanders (27)
No. 5 Starter: Jostin Florentino (24)
Closer: Daniel Palencia (29)

Listed below are the prospects with the best tools within the organization. To go directly to Chicago's Top 10, click here.

Cubs Best Tools

Best Hitter: Moises Ballesteros
Best Power Hitter: Owen Caissie
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Kane Kepley
Fastest Baserunner: Alexey Lumpuy
Best Athlete: Kevin Alcantara
Best Fastball: Jaxon Wiggins
Best Curveball: Riley Martin
Best Slider: Jaxon Wiggins
Best Changeup: Nick Dean
Best Control: Connor Noland
Best Defensive Catcher: Ariel Armas
Best Defensive Infielder: Juan Tomas
Best Infield Arm: Juan Tomas
Best Defensive Outfielder: Brett Bateman
Best Outfield Arm: Kevin Alcantara

Editor’s Picks

Alfredo Duno, C, Reds: Alfredo Duno's AFL regular season wasn't pretty, but his bat has been one of the loudest in the playoffs. Fresh off a first-round game where he blasted a 445-foot homer, the Reds' No. 2 prospect followed up with a three-homer game Thursday night in the semifinals.

The first one was a three-run shot, 381 feet to left field, to give Peoria a three-run lead in the first inning. He then followed it up with a 453-foot blast in the fifth inning to center field. The ball was wedged between the cacti located in the batter's eye of Salt River Field. He saved his best for last. Duno smoked a 456-foot bomb in the bottom of the ninth inning, cementing one of the best career performances he's had. He accounted for six of the eight Javelinas' homers to send the team to the AFL championship against the Surprise Saguaro's on Friday evening.

Top 30 Graduated NL Prospects: From the Rookie of the Year to utility players, BA presents the top graduated NL prospects from 2025 according to projected future value. Read more…

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