Chicago Cub fans have watched the offseason go by like a slow-moving steamer on the lake without the acquisition of any of the high-dollar free agents, such as Tatsuya Imai, Kyle Tucker, or Cody Bellinger.

The Cubs have upgraded the bullpen, acquiring:

Phil Maton

Hunter Harvey

Caleb Thielbar

Hoby Milner

Jacob Webb

Colin Rea (on an option)

No fan would complain about improving the bullpen, but to the exclusion of addressing other needs? It appears that the Cubs will likely address the glaring needs for a starting pitcher and center fielder, either from within or via trade.

Despite the 2025 team’s postseason run (or perhaps even because of it), the Cubs appear to be comfortable with the current 40-man roster going into 2026, although the roster currently stands at only 36.

In recent seasons, young players have been successfully developed by the Cubs at the Major League level – Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, and Matt Shaw, to name a few. It seems likely that the lack of action in the free agent market this winter by the Cubs may indicate that the Cubs will again rely on youth to fill out the roster. Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros, Kevin Alcantara, Pedro Ramirez, and James Triantos are five Cubs prospects who have opportunities this spring to make an impact team and join the Majors when camp breaks.

As a Cub fan, you see, I’ve already adjusted my expectations in the absence of anything to get really excited about. I’ll sigh, buy a Ballesteros jersey.

Prospect Who Could Impact 2026 #1: Owen Caissie

One jersey that will sell out will be that of 23-year-old Owen Caissie. Caissie is perched on the edge, waiting to see whether the Cubs acquire an outfielder to replace Kyle Tucker or whether he receives the keys to the kingdom.

Caissie saw action in 12 games with the Cubs in 2025. Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion on September 13th, and his big league numbers were, resultingly, unremarkable, with one home run and a .192 average.

Caissie’s numbers at Triple-A Iowa were more impressive:

.286/.386/.531

.937 OPS

55 RBI

139 wRC+

Cubs fans may wonder whether, by using the youth, such as Caissie, the club will use 2026 as a reset into 2027 after the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement is in place. As a result, the young players in 2026 will, in the best of all possible Cub worlds, become the talent in 2027 that will win a championship.

Prospect Who Could Impact 2026 #2: Moises Ballesteros

Moises Ballesteros is 22 years old and is a catcher without a spot – queued up behind Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya. Ballesteros has already been with the big club and demonstrated his considerable hitting skills in 2025. So much so, in fact, that Manager Craig Counsel said:

“Moises in September…he gave us the offensive production of Tucker, essentially.” (Jordan Bastian, MLB.com, “No. 2 prospect Ballesteros poised to step up for Cubs in ’26,” 12/22/25)

High praise for the young player, who made his Major League debut for the Cubs on May 13, 2025 – he was up for seven days before being sent back down. In September, however, he filled in for the injured Tucker. Ballesteros hit .333 (13 for 39) with a .999 OPS.

His numbers in 2025:

20 Games for the Cubs:

13.6% walk rate

18.2% strike out rate

.298/.394/.474

5 extra base hits

11 RBI

2 homeruns

114 Games for AAA-Iowa:

.316/.385/.473

13 homeruns

29 doubles

76 RBI

Ballesteros is a hitter who catches, and Cubs President Jed Hoyer addressed the challenge when developing young players at the big league level:

“I think we do view him as a catcher…It’s hard to develop catching in the big leagues when you’re trying to win, so we have to balance those things out and think about it.” (Andy Martinez, Marquee Sports Network, “How Cubs are viewing rookie Moises Ballesteros breakout September,” 11/25)

Ballsteros will impact the Cubs’ offense, possibly replacing the lost production of Tucker, but expect them to find creative ways to get his bat into the lineup, including stints at first base

Prospect Who Could Impact 2026 #3: Kevin Alcántara

The “Jaguar” is self-styled Kevin Alcantara. I’ve got to root for a player who sees himself as a jaguar – power, speed, and good instincts in center field. He’s 6’6, 188 pounds, and scouts have called his athleticism “twitchy.”

He is a quality defender with a strong arm. He made 4 errors with a .968 fielding percentage in centerfield for Triple-A Iowa this season.

In 10 games with the Cubs in 2025, he hit .364/.417/.364 with a .780 OPS. For Triple-A Iowa in 102 games, he hit .266/.349/.470 with an .818 OPS, 17 homeruns, 10 stolen bases, and 69 RBI.

Alcantara profiles as a fourth outfielder in an outfield of stars, Crow-Armstrong, Ballesteros, and Ian Happ. As he continues to develop strength and plate discipline, Alcantara could well see significant playing time in the re-tooled offense.

Prospect Who Could Impact 2026 #4: Pedro Ramirez

Pedro Ramirez trained with Moises Ballesteros when both were amateurs in Venezuela. They have become two of the best pure hitters in the system.

Ramirez hit .280 with a .732 OPS, 8 homeruns, 73 RBI, and had 28 stolen bases in 129 games with Double-A Knoxville. He split time between second and third bases with the Smokies.

Ramirez won a Gold Glove for third base. He was the first Smokies player since 2019.

Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation: Cubs, points out that Ramirez’ versatility on defense, his switch-hitting ability and base running skills make him a “very good utility player,” and this is a role he could find himself in for the Cubs in 2026 (Bleacher Nation: Cubs, “Hey, Chicago Cubs prospect Pedro Ramirez also won a Gold Glove,” 11/3/25.

Prospect Who Could Impact 2026 #5: James Triantos

James Triantos is another prospect who might profile as a good utility player. The 22-year-old played 64 games at second for Triple-A Iowa and 31 games in center field. He also got some at-bats as the designated hitter.

He’s very young at 22. He was drafted right out of high school in the second round of the 2021 draft. Though he had an off year at the plate, he is one of four promising hitters in the system for the Cubs.

Triantos hit .259/.315/.370 for AAA-Iowa, with good contact but weak power. He had 7 homeruns and 31 stolen bases. His speed on the basepads is an added skill he brings to the big club.

Despite a challenging adjustment at the plate in AAA-Iowa this season, Triantos is the #10 prospect in the Cubs system and profiles to add depth from the bench wherever he is needed.