
The Chicago Cubs have been able to develop a lot of quality talent through their farm system. It has been one of the top farm systems in all of baseball, which helps the Cubs tremendously. Having prospects exceed expectations early in the 2026 season is great, but Chicago has a pair doing so. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and what they have been doing thus far to get this recognition.
MLB’s Sam Dykstra created an All-Breakout Prospect Team, highlighting the minor leaguers who are stepping up. Dykstra mentions that in order to be eligible, a player couldn’t have been a Top 100 prospect entering the 2026 season or any other year. One of the Cubs prospects that Dykstra highlighted was third baseman Pedro Ramirez. Below is what he wrote about the highly-touted prospect:
“Another switch-hitter, Ramirez entered the year with a hit-over-power profile, and to be clear, his hit tool has remained strong in his first promotion to Triple-A Iowa. He’s batting .312 with just a 16.3 percent K rate through 43 games this season, and his 92.4 percent in-zone contact rate is among the best in Triple-A. But he’s also hitting the ball relatively hard and is doing so in the air, leading to him setting a new career high with his ninth homer as early as May 15. That more well-rounded offensive profile has pushed Ramirez into the Top 100 for the first time.”
Ramirez is not only the second-ranked prospect for the Cubs, but he is also the 86th-ranked prospect in MLB. His .942 OPS this year has showcased how talented he can be at the plate as well. Ramirez has played games at second base, third base, and left field, so he has position versatility. Still at just 22-years-old, there is time for him to develop as a prospect before making his MLB debut. It will be intriguing to see if he can continue his hot start to the season.
The Cubs continued to find elite prospects who are stepping up at the quarter mark of the season. Outfielder Josiah Hartshorn, the team’s eighth-ranked prospect, has showcased the ability to breakout. He has overcame the injury bug in high school to produce in his first season in the Cubs’ system. Below is what Dykstra wrote about the young prospect:
“Elbow and back injuries limited Hartshorn’s time as a California high schooler, and he went to the Cubs in the sixth round last July. When healthy in school, he stood out most of his raw power, yet early on in 2026, it’s been the discipline that’s shined most. His 1.3 BB/K rate is tied for the best among 67 full-season qualifiers aged 19 or younger in the Minors, while his 20.1 percent walk rate and .428 OBP for Single-A Myrtle Beach each rank third. Hartshorn’s swing rate is on the low side, but his well-rounded resume makes him a more interesting prospect in his first full season.”
Hartshorn has been hitting at an outstanding level with a .867 OPS with five homers, 23 RBI, and four stolen bases. Similar to Ramirez, he has played multiople positions. He has played 65.0 innings at first base, 35.0 innings at center field, and 176.0 innings at right field thus far. With the ability to play multiple positions and hit at an outstanding level, it should not be long until he gets promoted. Of course, he is still young, so Chicago may take their time and let the 2025 sixth-rounder get some more seasoning at Single-A.
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