I want to kick this week’s Mid-Week Buzz off by thanking you all for following along over the past year. Whether it was another season of the Cubs On Deck podcast, my silly social media posts, or my recent writing here at the blog, I can’t thank you enough. 2025 had the most listens I’ve ever seen in my six years of podcasting and so many of you not only listen but reach out as well, which I greatly appreciate.
Things to Read
- I wrote about six prospects that have seen their stock rise in the last calendar year. They are all names you’re familiar with and it’s cool to look back at how far these guys have come in such a short period of time.
- This article from Brett over at Bleacher Nation slants more Major Leaguey than I typically cover here but I wanted to share because 1) it’s maybe the best article I’ve read this offseason, and 2) it highlights the opportunity the Cubs farm has to help in the rotation soon but the lack of impact there to do so.
- I put together roster projections for all 4 Cubs minor league affiliates. I cover the entire team — starting lineups, benches, starting rotations, and bullpens. Bonus: I provide strategies for the best way to watch each affiliate this year. Like, not “use MiLB TV” but instead “skip watching Knoxville live and watch on demand instead.”
- It appears the Cubs are connected to just one IFA signing north of $1M: Yadier Muñoz, SS from the Dominican Republic. The signing period opens on the 15th.
- And Brett explains what might be going on with why it’s just Muñoz on the Cubs’ list.
- This is a really, really good read and gives a fantastic overview of where the Cubs system stands today. It’s always tough when writing about prospects to know if your audience is the nerds or the casuals and this is a piece where both groups can enjoy it equally.
Things to Watch
- I provided prospect profiles on last week’s podcast for each of Jaxon Wiggins, Moises Ballesteros, and Owen Caissie but if you’re looking for just the Wiggins portion:
Things Worth Some Attention
- Former prospect Alexander Canario is heading overseas. It’s easy to joke about how much he’ll kill it in Japan (I already have) but in reality, I think the style of pitching over there (crafty, good offspeed) might be a good challenge for him and if he succeeds, it’ll set him up well for a return stateside.
- To round out the news on Kris Bryant trade package returns, Caleb Kilian has also found a new home. He was one of the more perplexing pitching prospects I’ve ever covered, going from a command guy with decent stuff to a dude who struggled mightily with command but better stuff while generating zero whiffs.
- It’s kinda insane that I posted my first prospect list 10 years ago. Looking back on it, I actually feel pretty damn proud of it. Can’t say I’m any more accurate now than I was back then based on those results!
- While I’m being transparent with my old lists, here’s what I had back pre-2021. A rough time in the org indeed.
- In addition to the roster projections above, I want to specifically call out that Knoxville rotation, which should be fun despite not having a top 10 prospect.
- That’s an awful lot of college arms to draft in just two years. The draft strategy on pitchers has been pretty heavily ridiculed in recent years, so let’s hope for a breakout or ten. If I’m keeping an eye on a few guys to do so it’s Pierce Coppola, Nate Williams, Dominick Reid, and Eli Jerzembeck.
Out of the Vines 