10 Chicago Cubs Prospects To Know Beyond The Top 30 in 2024
Baseball America’s Top 30 Chicago Cubs Prospects entering 2024 are here exclusively for subscribers. The list includes updated scouting reports, BA grades and tool grade projections every player.
Inevitably, there are players every year who barely miss the cut when we narrow down the list. These players are all worth monitoring for various reasons and it’s likely some will either reach the big leagues in 2024 or enjoy breakout seasons lower in the minors.
Here are next 10 players to know in the Cubs system beyond their Top 30.
31. Brennen Davis, OF
A significant back injury and core surgery has dimmed Davis’ once impressive upside. He needs to regain some of the explosive athleticism he once had to become a big leaguer, and he’ll be working to try to do that at Triple-A Iowa in 2024.
32. Kohl Franklin, RHP
The nephew of former all-star closer Ryan Franklin, Kohl has loud stuff and a physical frame but has yet to put it all together. He struggles to last more than a few innings at a time and projects to be a reliever with a mid-90s fastball and effective changeup.
33. Josh Rivera, SS
A third-round pick out of Florida in 2023, Rivera has sound defensive actions at shortstop and projects to stick at the position. He has above-average bat speed and surprising power but he needs to shorten his swing and rein in his aggressive approach to hit at higher levels.
34. Richard Gallardo, RHP
Gallardo reached Double-A Tennessee as a 21-year-old and is advanced for his age with four pitches he can throw for strikes. His sinker has ticked up to 95 mph and both his curveball and slider are potentially average pitches.
35. Felix Stevens, 1B
Stevens led the Cubs system with 27 home runs and posted an .874 OPS across the Class A levels in 2023. He has borderline 80-grade raw power but has to close the hole in his swing against quality sliders.
36. Will Sanders, RHP
The Cubs’ fourth-round pick out of Arkansas in 2023, Sanders is a huge 6-foot-6, 230-pound righthander with a fastball up to 98 mph and a deep arsenal of secondaries. His fastball is straight and needs to add movement to be effective against pro hitters.
37. Alexis Hernandez, SS
Hernandez is the younger brother of fellow Cubs shortstop prospect Cristian Hernandez and signed for $1.3 million. He hit .315/.407/.515 in his stateside debut in the Arizona Complex League and has the potential to hit for power while sticking at shortstop.
38. Chase Strumpf, 2B/3B
Strumpf has posted back-to-back 20-home runs seasons at Double-A and Triple-A, but he’s also failed to hit .235 and seen his strikeouts skyrocket. His power and ability to play both second and third base make him a callup option.
39. Derniche Valdez, SS
The Cubs signed Valdez for $2.8 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2023. He’s a physical righthanded hitter with 25-plus home run potential, but he struck out in 41% of his plate appearances in the DSL in his pro debut and has to be more selective.
40. Cole Roederer, OF
Roederer has struggled to stay healthy, but he reached Triple-A in his age-23 season and still has intriguing hitting ability from the left side.
