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Top 20 Chicago Cubs Prospects for Dynasty Leagues

Fantasy BaseballDynasty Fantasy BaseballMLB Prospects
Trevor Hooth
Author: Trevor Hooth
10 min.read
Matt Shaw Chicago Cubs Prospects Fantasy Baseball waiver wire

The Chicago Cubs have reason to be excited heading into the 2025 season after acquiring Kyle Tucker. Adding a bat like that will help them take a step forward to try and win the NL Central. One thing the Cubs have is depth via their farm system. They have pitching depth, as well as several hitters that can keep them competitive. In this article we’ll take a deeper look at the Top 20 Chicago Cubs prospects.

In terms of prospects the Cubs top eight all have top 100 arguments to their name. What’s even better for Chicago is that seven of them are in debut distance, if they haven’t already done so. That means this list could look a lot different at this time next year. The talent at the top is undeniable and it translates then it could be a very fun year for the team.

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Top 20 Chicago Cubs Prospects for Dynasty Leagues

1. 3B Matt Shaw, Age: 23

There is a fair amount of buzz that Matt Shaw has a chance to make the Cubs Opening Day roster after being the 13th overall pick in 2023. This comes after he slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs and 31 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A. He is arguably a top 10 dynasty baseball prospect entering the 2025 season with his blend of hit tool, power, and speed. Shaw will have the potential to contribute to several different fantasy baseball categories and the opportunity is there for him to do so sooner rather than later.

2. C Moises Ballesteros, Age: 21

At just 20-years-old Moises Ballesteros hit .281 with 10 home runs through 285 plate appearances in Triple-A. He did that after posting dominant numbers in Double-A. Ballesteros is a bat-first catcher who can provide hit and power from a premium position. Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly figure to be the Cubs catching duo to start the year, but Ballesteros should enter the mix during the season. There are some questions about his ability to remain at catcher.

3. RHP Cade Horton, Age: 23

It was all hype for Cade Horton entering the 2024 season after reaching Double-A in his first professional season in 2023. However last season ended after just 34.1 innings due to a lat injury. Horton has a history of injuries, but the talent and upside is undeniable. He lost some velocity prior to going on the injured list, but if that returns he can couple that with a really good slider to get whiffs. Getting back on track will be key in 2025 so he can potentially join the rotation in Chicago.

4. OF Kevin Alcantara, Age: 22

The Cubs acquired Kevin Alcantara from the Yankees when they traded Anthony Rizzo in 2021. His tools and upside are undeniable from his 6’6″ frame. Alcantara is a great outfield defender, but for fantasy baseball managers it’s his potential power and speed combination that’s really enticing. At 21 years old in the upper minors last year he slashed .278/.353/.428 with 14 home runs and 14 stolen bases. His hit tool adds risk, but after making his MLB debut last season, he should be in the mix once again in 2025.

5. OF Owen Caissie, Age: 22

Another outfielder who will be in the conversation for the Cubs in 2025 is Owen Caissie. He is a power-over-hit player who slashed .278/.375/.472 and hit 19 home runs in Triple-A in 2024. He also struck out at a 28.4 percent clip. Chicago added him the 40-man roster this offseason. His power in Wrigley is interesting, but he will need to hit enough. Because of his walk rates he should be valued higher in OBP leagues.

6. 2B James Triantos, Age: 22

Injuries may give James Triantos a chance to make his MLB debut to start the 2025 season. Even if he doesn’t he still should be in line to debut soon. Last season he hit .300 with seven home runs and 47 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A. Triantos is a hit tool dominant speed threat from the second base position. The fact that he has the chance to contribute in short order gives his fantasy value a boost.

7. SS Jefferson Rojas, Age: 19

Jefferson Rojas will turn 20 early in 2025. As a 19-year-old in High-A last season he slashed .245/.310/.336 with six home runs and 21 stolen bases. He showed the ability to limit strikeouts, which is one of his specialties. In the upcoming season, he will have to translate those skills to a higher average, where he may turn into an average and stolen base threat. Still, there’s a chance Rojas turns into a better real-life player whose skills don’t translate into the counting stats that fantasy baseball managers look for.

8. RHP Jaxon Wiggins, Age: 23

In his professional debut in 2024, Jaxon Wiggins threw 59.2 innings with a 10.71 K/9 getting up to High-A. He has the type of loud stuff that could pay big dividends for dynasty baseball managers who take the chance on him. However, he needs to improve upon his 5.43 BB/9. His upper-90s fastball and big slider will get plenty of whiffs and can make him a legitimate rotation option if he throws enough strikes.

9. 1B Jonathan Long, Age: 23

First base prospects in fantasy baseball have a lot of pressure on their bat to perform. In 200 plate appearances in Double-A last season Jonathan Long slashed .340/.455/.528 with seven home runs and walked more than he struck out. He totaled 17 long balls on the year. The offensive upside is evident for both hit tool and power categories. It’s likely he begins the year in Triple-A where he’s one call away from the Cubs.

10. RHP Brandon Birdsell, Age: 24

Since debuting professionally in 2023, Brandon Birdsell has been very good, but without the strikeout numbers that make him a must add prospect in dynasty leagues. In 61.1 innings in Triple-A last season, he saw his swing-and-miss increase quite a bit, resulting in a 10.13 K/9. He’s never posted over nine at any other level. That is cause for some optimism. If he can find that magic when he returns to Triple-A this season he should begin to gain some momentum. Either way, he’s got the floor of a strike-throwing starter who could wind up a streaming option as early as 2025.

11. OF Alexander Canario, Age: 24

With all of the higher upside outfielders in the upper minors for the Cubs, Alexander Canario might find himself the odd man out. His power should keep him decently relevant in fantasy leagues for the time being. Canario played for Chicago briefly in both 2023 and 2024, but never enough to truly show what he can do. In Triple-A last year he hit .243 with 18 home runs. His strikeout rates will be high, so for dynasty baseball managers, his power will be the key to helping lineups.

12. 3B Cole Mathis, Age: 21

After trading first-rounder Cam Smith in the Kyle Tucker deal, second-rounder Cole Mathis becomes the Cubs’ highest remaining pick from the 2024 draft. The former two-way player at the College of Charleston will focus on hitting only in the professional ranks. As a hitter he consistently walked more than he struck out in college. Mathis will debut in 2025 where his power potential could catch the eye of dynasty baseball managers.

13. 3B Gage Workman, Age: 25

The Tigers selected Gage Workman in the fourth round of the shortened 2020 draft, but it was a slow start for him. He broke out in 2024, slashing .280/.366/.476 with 18 home runs and 30 stolen bases in Double-A. That was enough for the Cubs to take a chance on him in the Rule 5 Draft. If he sticks, the fact that he has a role, albeit a bench role, means he can contribute in deeper leagues. His hit tool is a concern. A 27.5 percent strikeout rate may not translate well against MLB pitching. Workman is a great defender, and if he can get a few chances his power and speed could be useful for both Chicago and fantasy lineups.

14. RHP Brody McCullough, Age: 24

Following a very good 2023 season, Brody McCullough was unable to follow it up in 2024 being limited to 14.2 innings thanks to a lat injury. With a clean bill of health in 2025, he’ll most likely be assigned to Double-A where he will try to recapture his 30.8 percent strikeout rate from two years ago. McCullough’s strikeout potential will make him a viable fantasy pitching prospect if his health cooperates.

15. SS Wilfri De La Cruz, Age: 17

The Cubs handed out three six-figure contracts to 2025 international free agents, the highest of which was $2.3 million. That bonus went to Wilfri De La Cruz. The young infielder has a 6’2″ frame to build on and is credited with having good contact abilities as a switch hitter. There is some power expected to come as well. De La Cruz should start his journey in the DSL in 2025.

Video via MLB.com

16. SS Juan Tomas, Age: 17

Juan Tomas signed with the Cubs for $1.1 million during the 2025 IFA cycle. Baseball America says he might be the best of the infield trio. Tomas has the chance to develop into power and speed, which will make him a coveted name in dynasty leagues. There is always plenty of risk that comes with international free agents, but a big year in the DSL might skyrocket Tomas’s stock.

17. SS Juan Cabada, Age: 16

The second-highest bonus in the IFA class went to Juan Cabada at $1.5 million. He, too, is slated to debut in the DSL this season. He is seen as more of a hit-over-power player right now. His ability to make contact is largely what Chicago saw in him. Cabada’s plate skills should make him an interesting name to monitor moving forward, but without the development of power his fantasy ceiling is capped.

18. SS Cristian Hernandez, Age: 21

At one point Cristian Hernandez was seen as a potential top 100 prospect. That hasn’t materialized thus far in his young career. In 2024 between Single-A and High-A, Hernandez slashed .261/.374/.381 with five home runs and 44 stolen bases. Recalibrating expectations, he is an infield prospect who draws walks and steals. That can still be valuable for fantasy baseball, but he may not have the power potential that was once thought.

19. SS Angel Cepeda, Age: 19

Following a successful DSL stint in 2023, Angel Cepeda played on the Complex at 18-years old in 2024 where he hit .298 with three home runs and 21 stolen bases. His walk rate of 11.3 percent is also good. If he can add some power, his fantasy stock will rise. Without that he’s in a similar vein as Hernandez of a player who can hit, walk, and steal bases.

20.  LHP Drew Gray, Age: 21

Chicago selected Drew Gray out of IMG Academy in the third round of the 2021 draft. He’s can get into the mid-90’s along with a nice breaking ball. In High-A last season Gray had a 27.6 percent strikeout rate through 80 innings. His ability to miss bats is enticing, but his command is legitmately concerning, as he posted a 20.8 percent walk rate. The southpaw has an interesting fantasy ceiling, but also a very low floor if his command doesn’t take a step forward.

For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.

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