The Chicago Cubs will not be playing for a postseason berth this season. However, there is still plenty to look forward to as a Cubs fan. Rosters will expand from 26 to 28 players on Sept. 1. The Cubs will have an opportunity to call up a few prospects who are big league ready. So who should we be on the lookout and get excited for as Cubs fans?
Matt Mervis (AAA 1B)
You will not see Mervis ranked in the top 30 Cubs prospects. You will see his jaw-dropping numbers. Mervis started the year at Single-A South Bend, where he dominated his time there in 27 games. He was then promoted to Double-A, where he continued to rake in 53 games with Tennessee. Mervis was promoted again and is raking once again in Triple-A. His combined stats between all three levels is nothing short of incredible as evidenced below:
Matt Mervis in 89 games:
106 hits / 29 doubles / 23 HR’s / 88 RBI’s / .312 AVG / .612 SLG / .982 OPS
(📸: @dylan_heuer) pic.twitter.com/F9vQNmJhLE
— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) August 1, 2022
The Cubs could desperately use some left-handed power at first base, which Mervis has plenty of. Just take a look at this no-doubter!
Matt Mervis with a HR. pic.twitter.com/DFtHiIdLqQ
— Itsacon (@thats_so_cub) July 30, 2022
Alexander Canario (AA OF)
Canario was acquired along with starting pitcher Caleb Killian in the Kris Bryant trade last July. Many people considered Canario to be the secondary piece acquired in that trade. That is no longer the case for the Cubs’ #18 prospect. Like Mervis, Canario also started the year in South Bend. Also, like Mervis, he was quickly promoted after just 23 games. Currently playing for Double-A Tennessee, Canario has mashed 17 home runs with 44 RBIs through just 63 games. Canario’s 24 combined home runs through two levels, currently leads all Cubs prospects. Take a look at his 24th:
Alexander Canario enjoyed a perfect day at the ballpark.
The No. 18 @Cubs prospect belted his system-best 24th homer on a 4-for-4 afternoon for @smokiesbaseball: https://t.co/oU6ivefQd2 pic.twitter.com/9rncFSVbns
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 25, 2022
Not only does Canario have legit power, he has a plus arm that will make runners think twice before challenging him. Courtesy of the Marquee Sports Network, this throw is nothing short of special:
This throw from Alexander Canario is unreal 👀 🚀
Watch: https://t.co/kWUzzUkVyY pic.twitter.com/gPOaXEZNpD
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 24, 2022
Darius Hill (AAA OF)
Another Cubs prospect who you won’t find in their Top-30, but who is making waves is Triple-A outfielder Darius Hill. Hill was selected in the 20th round by the Cubs in 2019 and is making his way up the system. Starting the year at Double-A Tennessee, Hill hit .308 in 44 games and earned Cubs Player of the Month Honors in May. Hill earned his promotion to Triple-A Iowa, where he is smoking hot. In 43 games with Iowa, Hill is hitting .329 and an OBP (on-base percentage) of .368. While Mervis and Canario both provide tons of power, you will not get that as much with Hill. However, his contact skills stand out and are something to get excited about.
Darius Hill has contact skills that play at the next level. pic.twitter.com/h8hqZJMOV4
— Itsacon (@thats_so_cub) July 3, 2022
A Time To Be Excited
As Cubs fans, we should be excited about the last two months of the season. Despite the major league team not making the playoffs, the Cubs organization is doing an outstanding job of developing their prospects. With a loaded Top-10 thanks to several trades over the last two years, and other lesser-known prospects raking down in the minors, the Cubs’ future is very bright. Some of those players are on the horizon. Here’s hoping that we see a few in September.
