Chicago Cubs

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Pinango long stood out for his hitting ability as an amateur in Venezuela and signed with the Cubs for $400,000 in 2018. He lived up to the billing by leading the Dominican Summer League in hits in his pro debut and continued to star at instructional league in 2020. Pinango made his full-season debut in 2021 and hit .272 at offense-stifling Myrtle Beach before earning a promotion to High-A South Bend, where he hit .289. He had hitting streaks of 15 and 11 games during the season and finished the year with more multi-hit games (34) than hitless games (29).

Scouting Report: The best pure hitter in the Cubs system, Pinango has a quick, lefthanded swing and elite contact skills for his age. He rarely swings and misses, keeps his barrel in the zone for a long time and sprays balls from line to line. He complements those contact skills with a patient approach and is a consensus future plus hitter. Pinango swings down on the ball and mostly hits it on the ground, making it unlikely he’ll ever elevate enough to be a home run-threat, but he makes hard contact and posts above-average exit velocities for his age. Pinango is physically mature already and projects to be a left fielder with his average speed and arm strength. He has advanced instincts and plays under control on both sides of the ball.

The Future: Pinango’s hitting ability gives him a chance to be a starting corner outfielder even with his lack of home run power. He may see Double-A as a 20-year-old in 2022.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 30. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.

Track Record: Triantos was originally part of the 2022 draft class but re-classified for 2021. In the final game of his high school career, he took a perfect game into the seventh inning and hit the go-ahead home run to give Madison High the Virginia 6A state championship. Cubs scouting director Dan Kantrovitz was in attendance, and three weeks later the Cubs drafted Triantos in the second round. He signed for an above-slot $2.1 million.
Scouting Report: Triantos is a precocious hitter who possesses elite bat speed and an innate feel for the barrel. He consistently squares pitches up and drives them hard to all fields. He complements his physical abilities with a keen sense for making adjustments and solid plate discipline, helping him project to be a plus hitter with average power. A shortstop in high school, Triantos is now a second baseman and has a lot of work to do defensively. His hands and feet get disconnected and the game frequently speeds up on him, leading to sloppy errors. His above-average arm strength is negated by a poor arm action.
The Future: Triantos projects to hit enough to overshadow his defensive shortcomings. He’ll make his full-season debut in 2022.

Track Record: Amaya starred for Panama at international tournaments throughout his youth and signed with the Cubs for $1 million in 2015. He received back-to-back Futures Game selections in 2018-19 and was invited to the alternate training site in 2020. Amaya opened 2021 at Double-A, but he played just 23 games before going on the injured list with forearm tightness in early June. He had a setback during his rehab and ultimately had Tommy John surgery in November.
Scouting Report: When healthy, Amaya is a well-rounded catcher who makes an impact on both sides of the ball. He is an extremely disciplined hitter who recognizes pitches and stays in the strike zone. He swings at the right pitches and has above-average power, but he frequently hits the ball on the ground and will have to learn to elevate more. Amaya is a big, physical presence behind the plate defensively. His receiving and framing are average and he is a good blocker who keeps the ball in front of him. He shut down running games with a quick exchange and plus arm strength prior to surgery.
The Future: Amaya’s surgery will keep him out all of the 2022 season. He is scheduled to return in 2023.

Track Record: Made signed with the Cubs for $1.5 million as one of the top players in the 2019 international class. The Cubs pushed him aggressively in his professional debut, sending him straight to Low-A Myrtle Beach as an 18-year-old in 2021. Made impressively hit .272 facing older competition, but he also walked only six times in 58 games.
Scouting Report: Made’s offense was his strength as an amateur, but his defense has jumped ahead as a pro. He is a borderline plus-plus defender at shortstop with quick reactions, reliable hands and plus-plus arm strength. Though he isn’t the most electric or rangy defender, he plays second base, shortstop and third base “flawlessly” in the words of one evaluator and quickly picks up the actions, angles and footwork of each position. Made’s swing is mechanically sound and he makes hard contact when he connects, but he’s an extraordinarily aggressive hitter. He swings at almost any fastball and bails pitchers out by chasing fastballs well out of the strike zone. He does hit fastballs in the zone and recognizes breaking balls.
The Future: Made’s defense will buy him time to improve his plate discipline. He’ll move to High-A South Bend in 2022.

Track Record: Preciado starred for Panama in international tournaments throughout his youth and signed with the Padres for $1.3 million in 2019. He stood out during 2020 instructional league and was acquired by the Cubs as one of five players for Yu Darvish a few months later. Preciado skipped over the Dominican Summer League and made his debut in 2021 in the Arizona Complex League, where he hit .333 and finished tied for 10th in the league in hits.
Scouting Report: Preciado stands 6-foot-5 and has plenty of room to fill out his lanky frame. A switch-hitter, he has excellent hand-eye coordination, advanced barrel control and a natural feel for contact from both sides of the plate. Preciado’s bat-to-ball skills and power potential give him plenty of offensive upside, but he’ll need to tighten his plate discipline. He is extremely aggressive and prone to chasing pitches out of the strike zone. Preciado signed as a shortstop but has already outgrown the position. He’s not particularly agile, but his reliable hands and above-average arm strength give him a chance to be an average defender at third base.
The Future: Preciado projects to be a power-hitting, everyday third baseman if he can fine-tune his approach. He’ll still be 18 on Opening Day and has plenty of time.

Track Record: Velazquez went to high school in Florida before moving back to Puerto Rico and becoming one of the island’s top draft prospects in 2017. The Cubs drafted him in the fifth round and signed him for $400,000. Velazquez disappointed his first few seasons, but he began to show signs of life before the coronavirus pandemic hit. He broke out in 2021 and led the Cubs system in total bases (191) while advancing to Double-A Tennessee, then won MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: Velazquez has long had loud tools and is finally turning them into production. He generates above-average power out of his compact, muscular build and has made swing adjustments to better access it. He previously struggled with fastballs and was too pull-oriented, but he flattened his swing to stay in the zone longer and now drives high-velocity fastballs to all fields. He remains prone to chasing breaking balls off the plate but makes enough contact overall to project to hit .240 with 20-plus home runs. Velazquez is a good athlete given his bulk and makes highlight-reel catches in both center and right field. He has average speed and plus arm strength.
The Future: Velazquez is on track to be at least a part-time outfielder in the majors. He was added to the 40-man roster last fall and may make his major league debut in 2022.

Track Record: Jensen touched 98 mph and was the Mountain West Conference pitcher of the year as a junior at Fresno State, but the Cubs still went above industry consensus when they drafted him 27th overall in 2019. Concerns about Jensen’s control appeared well-founded at the start of his full-season debut with High-A South Bend in 2021, but he locked in his delivery and release point midway through the year. He posted a 2.28 ERA in his final 11 starts and rose to Double-A.
Scouting Report: Jensen is undersized, but he is a power pitcher with a pair of plus-plus fastballs that overwhelm hitters. His four-seamer averages 96 mph and rides above barrels and his two-seamer averages 95 mph and breaks bats with its late run and bore. Jensen’s mid-80s slider with lateral run is an above-average pitch and he introduced a vertical curveball last year that flashes average. His upper-80s changeup gets swings and misses in the strike zone but doesn’t get chase swings. Jensen has an effortful delivery with a long arm action that leads to inconsistent mechanics and bouts of below-average control. He’s a good athlete who took off when he found a consistent release point.
The Future: Jensen has the stuff to be a hard-throwing back-end starter if he maintains his delivery and release point. If not, his stuff should play in late relief.

Track Record: Howard grew up on Chicago’s South Side and led the city’s Jackie Robinson West All-Star team to the Little League World Series in 2014. He followed with a standout career at Mount Carmel High, 15 miles south of Wrigley Field, and was drafted 16th overall by the Cubs in 2020. Howard jumped straight to Low-A Myrtle Beach for his pro debut in 2021 but struggled with the aggressive assignment. He hit just .225 with a 30% strikeout rate and missed nearly a month with a strained hamstring.
Scouting Report: Howard has long stood out for his athleticism and defense at shortstop. He is an electric, rangy defender who makes both the flashy and routine plays with his soft hands, plus arm strength and an excellent internal clock. He moves fluidly across the diamond, takes good angles to the ball and keeps his throws on target to project as a plus-plus defender. Howard’s offense has further to go. He struggles to recognize or hit breaking balls and hits the ball on the ground too often. He has plenty of bat speed, shows solid hand-eye coordination and flashes average power, but his poor pitch recognition precludes him from being more than a below-average hitter.
The Future: Howard’s defense will buy him time for his bat to develop. He’ll start 2022 back in the Class A levels.

Track Record: Franklin’s projectable frame and athletic delivery enticed the Cubs to draft him in the sixth round in 2018 and give him an above-slot $540,000 signing bonus. He showed well during his pro debut at short-season Eugene, but injuries and the coronavirus pandemic have largely kept him off the mound in three of the last four seasons. He missed most of his senior year with a broken foot, lost 2020 due to the pandemic and missed all of last season with a strained oblique.
Scouting Report: The nephew of former closer Ryan Franklin, Kohl throws three pitches for strikes out of a loose, athletic delivery and has room to fill out his 6-foot-4 frame. His fastball sits 92-95 mph and projects to tick up as he gets stronger. He pairs his heater with a potentially plus changeup in the 80-84 mph range and an average spike curveball in the mid 70s that shows solid depth. Franklin pounds the strike zone and projects to have above-average control. His biggest question is his durability—he has thrown just 50.2 innings in four professional seasons.
The Future: Franklin began throwing bullpen sessions last fall and should be ready for 2022 spring training. He has mid-rotation potential but has to show he can stay on the mound.

Track Record: Stumpf rose to prominence as the starting shortstop at national prep power JSerra High in SoCal and put together a solid three-year career at UCLA. The Cubs drafted him in the second round, No. 64 overall, and signed him for just over $1.05 million. Strumpf’s full-season debut was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, but he made up for lost time by racing to Double-A in 2021. He overcame a slow start to finish with a 1.028 OPS in his final month.
Scouting Report: Strumpf is the epitome of a “professional hitter” with a calm, patient approach, an easy swing and a natural feel for the barrel. He works counts until he gets a pitch to hit and smoothly drives balls from gap to gap. He fell into some bad habits trying to lift the ball at Double-A initially, but he eventually rediscovered his form to retain his status as a potential above-average hitter. Strumpf has sneaky power, particularly the other way to right-center, and should complement solid batting averages with double-digit homers. He is an average defender at second base and has started to play third base on occasion. He is more comfortable at second and his fringe-average arm fits best there.
The Future: Strumpf’s hitting ability should make him at least a solid contributor. He’ll see Triple-A in 2022.

Track Record: Canario signed with the Giants for $60,000 and quickly surpassed many players who signed for larger bonuses. He starred in both the Rookie-level Arizona League and short-season Northwest League before being invited to the Giants alternate training site in 2020, and he impressed against older competition. Canario scuffled in his full-season debut with Low-A San Jose in 2021, but the Cubs still acquired him with righthander Caleb Kilian at the trade deadline for Kris Bryant.
Scouting Report: Canario looks the part of a major leaguer with a physical, 6-foot-1 frame, good athleticism for his size and loads of strength. He has plus-plus bat speed and generates impressive torque when he rotates to produce plus-plus raw power to all fields. He hits the ball hard even when he’s off-balance. Canario’s power is prodigious, but he is prone to overswinging and chasing breaking balls in the dirt. His poor plate discipline limits him to a below-average hitter who may struggle to get to his power in games. Canario is an aggressive defender who plays hard in the outfield. He fits best in right field with his above-average speed and plus, accurate arm.
The Future: Canario’s power gives him a carrying tool if he can get to it. He finished in High-A South Bend and may return there to start 2022.

Track Record: Thompson had Tommy John surgery at Louisville and battled shoulder troubles after he returned, but the Cubs saw enough stuff to draft him in the 11th round and give him an above-slot $200,000 bonus. Thompson appeared to break through in 2019 at Low-A South Bend and pitched five no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts in the clinching game of the Midwest League championship series, but he hasn’t pitched since. The coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season and he missed all of 2021 with shoulder discomfort.
Scouting Report: Thompson fits a starter’s mold with a 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame and three pitches he can throw for strikes. His high-spin fastball ranges from 90-96 mph and touches higher in relief. His high-spin, mid-80s curveball is a plus pitch that puts hitters away and his average changeup with late sink gets swings and misses over the top. Thompson struggled to throw strikes in college, but he began throwing with more conviction and confidence in pro ball and now shows average control. His primary concern is durability. He has pitched more than 33 innings in a season only once in college or the minors.
The Future: Thompson started throwing bullpens in the fall and should be ready for 2022 spring training. He has starter stuff, but his health may limit him to relief.

Track Record: Abbott pitched the first perfect game in Loyola Marymount history and shot up draft boards to the second round in 2017, where the Cubs picked him 67th overall. He led the Double-A Southern League in strikeouts in 2019, but he took a step back during the coronavirus shutdown and struggled at both the alternate training site and instructional league. His struggles continued in 2021 with a 5.91 ERA at Triple-A and a 6.75 ERA in his major league debut.
Scouting Report: Abbott relies on precision more than stuff. His fastball is a fringy pitch that sits 92 mph and plays on the edges of the strike zone, but it gets crushed when he leaves it over the plate. His best pitch is a short, above-average 86-89 mph slider that gets swings and misses both in and out of the zone. His vertical mid-80s curveball is an average pitch with solid depth and he rounds out his arsenal with a rarely-used, below-average changeup. Despite his lack of big stuff, Abbott racks up strikeouts with his ability to locate to both sides of the plate. He has average control.
The Future: Abbott will likely settle in as a swingman but has an outside chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter. He’ll return to the majors in 2022.

Track Record: Nwogu walked on at Michigan and became a three-year starter for the Wolverines. He led the team in most offensive categories during its run to the 2019 College World Series finals and got off to another hot start before the 2020 season shut down. The Cubs drafted him in the third round and signed him for $678,800. Nwogu made his pro debut at Low-A Myrtle Beach in 2021 and started slowly, but he improved as the year progressed and hit .296/.383/.415 over the final eight weeks.
Scouting Report: Nwogu is a physical specimen who received Division I football offers to play defensive end. He stands a muscular 6-foot-3, 230 pounds and gets to plus power and high-end exit velocities with ease. Nwogu’s swing is stiff and a bit funky with its lack of extension, but he’s short to the ball and makes loud contact when he connects. He is a smart, patient hitter with good strike-zone discipline. Nwogu is an above-average runner and uses his speed effectively to steal bases and cover ground in the outfield. He’s not a particularly smooth defender, but he has the athleticism to become an average left fielder with more experience. He has a below-average arm.
The Future: Nwogu’s power gives him a carrying tool. He has a chance to be a low-average, decent power slugger if he can clean up his swing.

Track Record: Santana signed with the Padres for $300,000 and finished fourth in batting average in the Rookie-level Arizona League in his pro debut. He continued to impress at instructional league in 2020 and was acquired by the Cubs as one of five players for Yu Darvish. Santana made his full-season debut at Low-A Myrtle Beach in 2021 but hit just .147 in 20 games. He was demoted to extended spring training in June and spent the rest of the season in the Arizona Complex League.
Scouting Report: Despite his poor season, Santana still holds promise as a young player with intriguing tools. He’s an aggressive hitter who swings hard but has excellent hand-eye coordination and makes frequent contact. He primarily hits line drives, especially up the middle and the opposite way. Santana is a free swinger and will need to improve his pitch selection to only swing at pitches he can drive. His explosive hands and twitchy athleticism give him a chance to grow into double-digit home run power if he gets stronger. Santana is a high-energy defender at shortstop. He has decent range and above-average arm strength, but he often plays too fast and needs to learn to play more under control.
The Future: Santana is raw but has ability on both sides of the ball. He’ll head back to Low-A in 2022.

Track Record: Ballesteros batted cleanup as the youngest player on Venezuela’s team at the 2015 U-12 World Cup in Taiwan and remained one of the best hitters for his age throughout his amateur career. He signed with the Cubs for $1.5 million on the first day of the 2021 international period and made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League. He hit .266 with 13 extra-base hits in 40 games and had more walks (31) than strikeouts (24).
Scouting Report: Ballesteros manages at-bats well for his age with a patient approach and good bat control from the left side. He has a strong upper body and makes hard contact when he connects, usually for doubles with the occasional home run. His contact skills and plate discipline give him a foundation to be an above-average hitter and his strength gives him a chance to grow into average power. Ballesteros has a stout, blocky body and will need to stay on top of his conditioning to remain a catcher. His blocking and receiving need work, but he does have plus arm strength and a quick release.
The Future: Ballesteros has a chance to be a bat-first, everyday catcher if he stays behind the plate. He may hit enough even if he has to move to another position.

Track Record: Rivas hit. 326 during a decorated college career at Arizona and was drafted in the fourth round by the Athletics in 2018. He raced to Triple-A in his first full season and was acquired by the Cubs for Tony Kemp following a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League. Rivas wasn’t invited to the alternate training site in 2020, but that didn’t stop his progress. He hit his way out of Triple-A and made his major league debut with the Cubs in August, where he batted .318/.388/.409 in 18 games before suffering a season-ending finger injury.
Scouting Report: Rivas has a smooth, effortless lefthanded swing that makes a lot of contact. He has a balanced setup, stays in the strike zone and wears pitchers down until he gets a pitch to hit. He drives the ball on a line to all fields and racks up doubles. Rivas has below-average power, leading to questions about whether he can be an everyday player with such little power production. He is a plus defender at first base with good hands and above-average arm strength and can fill in at both left and right field, although he is a below-average defender at both spots.
The Future: Rivas’ hitting ability gives him a chance to contribute at least off the bench. He’s ready to fill that role in 2022.

Track Record: Rodriguez won the Mexican League’s rookie of the year award as Yucatan’s closer in 2015 and signed with the Cubs a year later for $400,000. He began to trend upward before the coronavirus pandemic hit and continued that rise when the minor leagues resumed in 2021. Rodriguez earned Futures Game selection and rose from Double-A to the majors, receiving his first big league callup in July. He made 20 relief appearances for the Cubs before finishing the year on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Scouting Report: Rodriguez is a short, stout righthander with a big right arm. Both his four-seam and two-seam fastballs sit 97 mph and touch 99 with late life. His four-seamer cuts and rides above barrels and his heavy two-seamer drops below them. His fastball command can be scattered, which led to both of them getting hit in the majors. Rodriguez’s vertical 87-90 mph slider is a swing-and-miss pitch when he gets it below the strike zone. His fastball-slider combination shuts down righthanded batters, but he doesn’t have a changeup and struggles against lefties. He held righties to a .137 batting average and .430 OPS in the minors in 2021 compared to a .324 average and .960 OPS against lefties.
The Future: Rodriguez is ready to take over as a situational reliever who handles righties. He’ll compete for an Opening Day roster spot.

Track Record: Gray grew up in Illinois and became the state’s top player in his class before he transferred to IMG Academy in Florida. The move paid off when the Cubs drafted him in the third round, No. 93 overall, and signed him for an above-slot $900,000 to forgo an Arkansas commitment. Gray made his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League and struck out nine of the 16 batters he faced before continuing to impress in instructional league.
Scouting Report: Gray is an excellent athlete who starred as both an outfielder and pitcher in high school and was set to play both ways in college. His high-spin fastball ranges from 90-94 mph and gets swings and misses at the top of the zone when he locates it. He complements his heater with a high-spin, downer curveball in the mid 70s he buries for chase swings and a sweeping, low-80s slider that has a chance to be average. His below-average changeup is a fourth pitch he rarely uses. Gray struggles to keep his delivery in sync and repeat his release point at times, leading to bouts of below-average control. His body control and velocity should both improve as he fills out his projectable 6-foot-3 frame.
The Future: Gray requires projection but has promising ingredients. The Cubs view him as a potential breakout prospect in 2022.

Track Record: The Cubs have two of the highest profile signings ever to come out of Panama in their farm system with catcher Miguel Amaya (signed in 2015) and shortstop Reggie Preciado, a 2019 signing of the Padres who came to the Cubs via trade after the 2020 season. Sanchez topped all of them with a $1.5 million bonus he got from the Cubs when the 2021-22 international signing period opened in Jan. 2022.
Scouting Report: Sanchez has a ton of baseball experience, representing Panama in several international tournaments, including the Little League World Series where he hit a home run with current Cubs manager David Ross calling the game for ESPN. Sanchez is a baseball rat whose intelligence and instincts for the game are evident throughout the game, with an offensive profile that stands out for a catcher. He has a chance to develop into a strong, physical power hitter for a catcher, making consistent hard contact now with a mature approach for his age. He also has a plus arm, good hands and footwork to be able to stick behind the plate, though he also has experience at third base.
The Future: Sanchez could get some time at third base to get more at-bats, but he’s a long-term catcher and should get the majority of his reps behind the plate during his pro debut in the 2022 Dominican Summer League.