What recall of top prospect means for middling Cubs

The Chicago Cubs recalled former MLB.com top-100 prospect Alex Canario to their big league roster on Thursday, a move in response to Cody Bellinger's removal from Wednesday night's game with an apparent injury.

Canario will join the team to finish off its series in Baltimore.

Canario, a 24-year-old outfielder, has been doing well in Triple-A this season. Now he brings a fresh wave of talent and energy to the Cubs roster and could help answer some questions about the team's future.

Canario has been consistently hitting well in the minor leagues so far this season, with a slash line of .238/.330/.502 and 16 home runs. His ability to hit for power and his speed on the bases make him a dual threat who can significantly boost the Cubs offense.

He was briefly with the major league club in late April to early May, posting a .813 OPS in 13 games.

Of course, this move has some serious implications for Bellinger and his future with the Cubs, whether he is sent to the IL, traded or both. The Cubs are 44-49, making it unlikely that they will choose to compete for a playoff spot this year. The departure of Bellinger and the addition of Canario also help support this idea.

At just 24 years old, Canario represents what could be the franchise's future. His recall signals the Cubs' commitment to developing their young talent and giving them the opportunity to prove themselves at the major league level right now.

If the Cubs continue to move in this direction and sell high, expect other young players similar to Canario to be called up soon. This could include the long-awaited major league debut of the club's top prospect, Cade Horton.