Chicago Cubs News

Moises Ballesteros • C • Cubs

Moises Ballesteros Hits A Double, Drives In One In Solar Sox Finale

Chicago Cubs catching prospect Moises Ballesteros put his final stamp on his 2024 Arizona Fall Campaign on Thursday, notching a double and an RBI in a 1-for-4 day at the plate. With the Mesa Solar Sox not playing for the AFL championship, the 21-year-old finishes the fall campaign with a .316/.376/.557 slashline, including five home runs, 16 RBI, and a 10:15 BB:K in 19 games. It's a strong ending after a superb 2024 regular season. Should he continue to swing a hot bat come next spring, it shouldn't be long before he's with the big league club that could use some offense at the position. While his defense is not quite as strong, he could also spend time at DH while he works on the glove, which should put him squarely on both dynasty and redraft radar.

2 days ago

Moises Ballesteros • C • Cubs

Moises Ballesteros Collects Two More Hits In The AFL

Chicago Cubs catching prospect Moises Ballesteros kept hitting on Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a walk for the Mesa Solar Sox. The performance raised his average to .320 in the fall season with a .946 OPS. The successful fall campaign comes on the heels of a breakout 2024 regular season in which the backstop hit his way to a promotion to Triple-A, then continued to hit once he got there. Across both levels, the lefty hitter posted a .289-19-57-78-1 line over 124 games (508 PA). He did so at only the age of 20 and it was the third consecutive season in which he hit double-digit homers against pitching that was much more advanced in age. The Cubs have just Miguel Amaya on the major league roster at the moment after Christian Bethancourt became a free agent this offseason, so Ballesteros figures to at least get a shot to crack the roster next spring. Regardless, he shows no signs of being overmatched at any level so far, so if he can improve his defense then he'll be in a Cubs uniform sooner rather than later, very likely at some point in 2025.

3 days ago

Enoli Paredes • RP • Cubs

Enoli Paredes Signs Minors Deal With Braves

Free-agent right-hander Enoli Paredes signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, according to a source. Paredes pitched well with the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs this past season, posting a 1.66 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with his first career save, 16 strikeouts and 10 walks in 21 2/3 innings over 18 appearances out of the bullpen. It was a nice showing for the 29-year-old reliever after he spent the entire 2023 toiling in the minors. He didn't have a large sample size in 2024, but if Paredes pitches as well as he did in spring training with Atlanta, he'll have a good shot to make the team's Opening Day bullpen. Paredes made his big-league debut in 2020 with the Houston Astros and has a career 4.01 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 53:41 K:BB in 55 appearances in relief covering 54 innings.

4 days ago

Jonathon Long • 1B • Cubs

Jonathon Long Dominating Arizona Fall League

Chicago Cubs third base prospect Jonathon Long has been swinging a hot bat throughout the Arizona Fall League. Through 16 games, the 22-year-old has posted a stellar .348/.443/.667 slash line with three doubles, six home runs, 19 RBI, and an 11:17 BB:K ratio. This is a great sign for the No.30 ranked prospect in Chicago as he took significant steps in his development last season. Long opened the 2024 campaign with High-A and carried a .247/.346/.417 line through 68 games. Then, with Double-A Tennessee, the former ninth-round pick held an impressive .340/.455/.528 line with nine doubles and seven home run across a 46-game stint. If Long continues to perform at this elite level, he could have a great opportunity to open the 2025 season with Triple-A Iowa.

5 days ago

Matt Shaw • SS • Cubs

Matt Shaw Powers USA To Victory Over The Netherlands

Chicago Cubs second base prospect Matt Shaw went 4-for-5 with seven RBI to power the United States to a victory over the Netherlands in the WBSC Premier12. Shaw did it all as he tallied an RBI single in the third frame, a three-run double in the seventh, and a three-run shot in the eighth inning. Last summer, Shaw opened the campaign by getting his first extended look at Double-A ball and eventually earned a taste of Triple-A later in the summer. Through his first 35 games with Triple-A Iowa, the former 13th-overall selection posted a stellar .298/.395/.534 line with eight doubles, seven home runs, 21 RBI, and six stolen bases. Given his incredible progression, Shaw could have a strong chance to make the Opening Day Roster. For now, the top prospect in the North Side remains a high-end prospect to stash in all keeper formats.

5 days ago

Yency Almonte • RP • Cubs

Yency Almonte Headed To Free Agency

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Yency Almonte has cleared waivers and will test free agency, according to Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports. The right-hander was only able to log 15 2/3 innings of work before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. In the short stint, Almonte posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 8:20 BB:K with one save. Under the hood, Almonte boasted stellar metrics with a 3.15 xERA and a .198 xBA. In addition, he generated a strong 29.9% strikeout rate and 30.9% whiff rate. Almonte is worth monitoring during the offseason, as he could earn a role as a high-leverage option in 2025 given his ability to generate a high number of strikeouts.

7 days ago

Cade Horton • SP • Cubs

Cade Horton Set For Shoulder Exam

Chicago Cubs starting pitching prospect Cade Horton (shoulder) is set to undergo a shoulder exam later this month, according to Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. If the 23-year-old passes the exam, he could then begin a throwing program. The No. 3 prospect in the Chicago system was sidelined since late May last season with a shoulder strain. Before the injury, Horton held a stellar 1.10 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in Double-A Tennessee. He then earned a brief taste of Triple-A ball and posted a 7.50 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP before sustaining the injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during the offseason, as the former seventh overall selection will likely earn an opportunity in the majors later in the summer.

Nov 9

Ben Brown • RP • Cubs

Ben Brown To Have Injured Neck Scanned This Month

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (neck) is expected to have a scan on his neck in the coming weeks, and if he gets the all-clear, then the 25-year-old could resume throwing without restriction. If the youngster is cleared then the expectation is that he'll be ready to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. The former 33rd-round draft pick showed well in his MLB debut last season, posting a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, and a 64:19 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts), including a seven-inning outing on May 28 in which he allowed no hits, two walks, and struck out 10. With his 28.8% strikeout rate, the righty is worth keeping an eye on, as he'd at least have value in NL-Only leagues were he to win a rotation spot.

Nov 7

Cody Bellinger • CF • Cubs

Cody Bellinger Picks Up $27.5 Million Player Option With Cubs

Chicago Cubs first baseman and outfielder Cody Bellinger picked up his $27.5 million player option with Chicago on Saturday. He will not become a free agent this offseason and still has one player option remaining on his contract for 2026. Bellinger originally signed a three-year $80 million deal with the Cubs last offseason after flourishing during a "prove it" contract for the 2023 season. The lefty's second season with Chicago was less impressive, though he still posted a strong 111 OPS+. The 29-year-old's expected stats show a bit more concern, though, as his xwOBA for 2024 ranked in just the 32nd percentile. Dynasty managers may not want to make any moves quite yet, but they should certainly keep a close eye on Bellinger's production and temper expectations.

Nov 2

Moises Ballesteros • C • Cubs

Moises Ballesteros Staying Hot In Arizona Fall League

Chicago Cubs first base/catching prospect Moises Ballesteros has launched four home runs in his first ten games in the Arizona Fall League. During the stretch, he has held a .391/.431/.717 line with 11 RBI, and a 4:7 BB:K ratio. This is a great sign for the 20-year-old has he enjoyed a fantastic 2024 campaign. The infielder opened the campaign in Double-A but quickly moved up to Triple-A after he posted a .299/.372/.495 line through 56 games. In his first 68 games at the top level of the minor leagues, the No.4 ranked prospect in the Northside carried a strong .281/.340/.454 line with ten long balls. Ballesteros remains a name to keep a close eye on as he could push for a big league debut in 2025.

Oct 26

Nico Hoerner • 2B • Cubs

Nico Hoerner Undergoes Flexor-Tendon Surgery

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (elbow) underwent right flexor-tendon surgery on Oct. 11, the team announced on Monday. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister, and there is no timetable for Hoerner's return, although he should be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, barring a setback. The 27-year-old was Chicago's starting second baseman all year in 2024 in his sixth season in the big leagues. In a career-high 151 games played, Hoerner slashed .273/.335/.373 with a .708 OPS, seven home runs, 48 RBI, 31 stolen bases and 86 runs scored in his 641 plate appearances. He makes plenty of contact, but it's inconsistent hard contact with little power. As long as Hoerner is healthy in 2025, he'll be a solid source of average, steals and runs scored for fantasy managers.

Oct 22

Kyle Hendricks • SP • Cubs

Kyle Hendricks Blanks Reds To Finish Season

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks was dominant in his final start of the season, throwing 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball in the Cubs' 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. Hendricks only allowed two hits and walked just two batters, though he did not pick up the win as the Cubs scored all their runs in the bottom of the eighth. The 34-year-old is an unrestricted free agent after this season and may have made his final start as a Chicago Cub at Wrigley Field. He has spent all 11 seasons of his career as a Chicago Cub but 2024 marked a fall from grace for the right-hander, posting an ugly 5.92 ERA this season. Should this be his final start as a Cub, he amassed a 97-81 record over 276 games and posted a 3.68 with the team. Dynasty managers that have Hendricks on their roster can expect some positive regression wherever he lands as his 4.94 xERA suggests he was unlucky this season, but a 4.94 xERA doesn't quite scream fantasy value.

Sep 28

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Back In Starting Nine On Saturday

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (ankle) is returning to the starting nine on Saturday afternoon as the Cubs continue a three-game set with the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Suzuki was kept sidelined over the past two games due to a minor ankle injury but will be back in action on Saturday. Since the start of the month, the 30-year-old has been swinging a hot bat with a .316/.438/.468 slash line with two home runs and six doubles. Suzuki has enjoyed another strong campaign in his third major-league season with a solid .281/.361/.482 line, 21 long balls, and 16 stolen bases. Suzuki will likely be drafted within the top 20 at his position due to his ability to contribute to all five standard categories.

Sep 28

Isaac Paredes • 3B • Cubs

Isaac Paredes Sitting On Saturday

Chicago Cubs third baseman Isaac Paredes is not in the starting nine on Saturday afternoon as the Cubs continue a three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds. Paredes has started in each of the past five games and will take a day off. As a result, Patrick Wisdom will cover the hot corner and bat in the eight-hole. Since the start of September, the former Ray has begun to heat up at the plate with a strong .289/.374/.316 line. Since joining the Cubs at the trade deadline, Paredes has carried a .223/.324/.309 slash line. Wisdom will face Cincinnati's top pitching prospect, Rhett Lowder, this afternoon, who has held a strong 1.40 ERA.

Sep 28

Jameson Taillon • SP • Cubs

Jameson Taillon Shuts Out Reds Over Seven Innings

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon tossed seven innings of shutout ball in Friday's 1-0 victory over the Reds, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out two. The outing was his fifth consecutive quality start and caps off an outstanding month of September for the 32-year-old, going 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. It was a solid season overall for the veteran, going 12-8 with a 3.27 ERA (4.29 SIERA), 1.13 WHIP, and a 13.6% K-BB%. The underwhelming strikeout totals depress his fantasy stock a bit, but he should be a decent back-end rotation piece for fantasy next season.

Sep 28

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Could Return On Saturday

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (ankle) was held out of the starting lineup during Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Suzuki injured his ankle on Tuesday and has been sidelined since then. However, his ankle reportedly is doing better on Friday and he could be available on Saturday. The Cubs have already been eliminated from postseason contention, so there is no incentive to play Suzuki at anything less than 100 percent healthy. Kevin Alcantara figures to see a handful of starts over the next few days in right field. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Cubs limit Suzuki to designated hitter duties until the end of the season.

Sep 27

Michael Busch • 1B • Cubs

Michael Busch Back On Friday As The DH

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch (triceps) is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth for the Cubbies on Friday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Nick Martinez at Wrigley Field. Busch was hit by a pitch earlier this week and missed one game as a result, but he's back now and ready to go for the final three games of the 2024 regular season this weekend. Cody Bellinger is making another start at first base, with rookie Kevin Alcantara making his second big-league start in right field. Busch does not have a hit in four career at-bats against Martinez. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter has produced his first 20-homer season and has also driven in 65 in 149 games in his first full season in the majors with the Cubs in 2024. Busch has been cold at the plate lately, going 3-for-20 (.150) with a homer, double, one RBI and six strikeouts in his last seven games played.

Sep 27

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Still Out On Friday

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (ankle) remains out of the lineup for Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field versus the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Suzuki suffered a sprained right ankle in Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies and will now miss his second straight start as a result. The Cubs are eliminated from the postseason, so it wouldn't be a surprise if Suzuki is unable to return for the final three games of the season. For now, the 30-year-old should be considered day-to-day. With Suzuki out again, rookie Kevin Alcantara, who was just called up this week, will make another start in right field and bat ninth against Reds right-hander Nick Martinez. The 22-year-old Dominican will be playing in just his second MLB game after going 1-for-4 with a strikeout in his debut on Wednesday in the loss to the Phillies.

Sep 27

Michael Busch • 1B • Cubs

Michael Busch Out Against Phillies On Wednesday

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch (triceps) is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's clash against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Busch was hit on his triceps by a pitch during Tuesday's contest and left the game early. As a result, he'll take the day off on Wednesday and should be considered day-to-day. With a scheduled day off on Thursday, the 26-year-old should have a good chance of returning for the final series of the year this weekend at Wrigley Field versus the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Cody Bellinger is starting at first base and is batting cleanup for the Cubs, with rookie Kevin Alcantara starting in right field and batting ninth in his big-league debut against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. In his first full season in 2024 with the Cubs, Busch has reached the 20-homer mark while batting .252/.335/.446 with a .780 OPS.

Sep 25

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Sidelined Against Phillies

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (ankle) is not in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday versus the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. A sprained ankle caused Suzuki to come out of Tuesday's game early. The Cubs have a scheduled day off on Thursday, so fantasy managers will want to check back to see if he's available to play again for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. With the Cubs out of playoff contention and only four games remaining in their season, it's quite possible we won't see Suzuki again in 2024. Rookie outfielder Kevin Alcantara, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, will start in right field and bat in the nine-hole in his major-league debut against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. Patrick Wisdom is also serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth for the Cubbies.

Sep 25

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