While catcher Moises Ballesteros was the big-name prospect representing the Cubs in the Arizona Fall League this year, it’s been right-handed hitter Jonathon Long who has scouts raving about him. Long, who was drafted in 2023, was in the Fall Stars Game this past weekend and was then named AFL Hitter of the Week.
Long homered on two straight days last week and hit .400, recording 13 total bases on his way to the weekly award. The Long Beach State product has remained near the top of several offensive categories during the Arizona Fall League and more people are starting to take note of Long’s prowess at the plate.
Via MLB.com.
The only AFL player to homer twice this week, Long hit his fifth and sixth home runs of the fall on consecutive days from Nov. 5-6, pulling him into a tie for second place on the league’s home run charts. The ninth-round pick from 2023 also hit .400 (6-for-15) with four walks, five RBIs, six runs scored and 13 total bases – the most among AFL hitters – on the week. Additionally, he drove in two runs in the National League’s 6-5 loss in the Fall Stars Game, courtesy of a sac fly and a run-scoring groundout.
The ninth-round pick from 2023 has been mashing for Mesa ever since arriving in Arizona, on the heels of a year during which he began carving out his place on the Cubs’ organizational depth chart. Through 16 games, he’s hitting .348/.443/.667 with 16 runs, 23 hits and 19 RBIs, ranking among the league’s top 10 batters in homers, RBIs, hitting, slugging and OPS.
Baseball writer and minor league player evaluator Chris Clegg recently highlighted Long’s performance so far in the Arizona Fall League and Cubs fans will certainly love what he has to say.
“Jonathon Long is legit! What I saw in the AFL was very impressive. Had a lot of good ABs, showed good pitch recognition skills, and has solid pop. Played a good 3B in my looks. He could be ready for the Majors soon.”
Long, who ended the 2024 minor league season at Double-A, could impress the Cubs enough to force their hand and start him at Triple-A to begin the 2025 season.
(Previous Update)
Rising Chicago Cubs prospect Jonathon Long continues to destroy pitching and remains among the batting leaders in the Arizona Fall League. The 22-year-old homered in back-to-back games this week, raising his OPS to 1.147, which ranks third-best among hitters with at least 60 at-bats so far in Arizona.
Long homered for the sixth time in the AFL on Wednesday, finishing the game with a double, walk and three runs driven in. It’s tough to put stock on what Long’s future value could be as a DH/1B profile, but the prospect has a chance to get on the national radar if he continues this offensive output in 2025. He’s now slashing 355/.453/.694, in 15 games.
Jonny Long unloads. pic.twitter.com/GTxRmUEb27
— Brad (@ballskwok) November 6, 2024
A ninth round draft pick out of Long Beach State in 2023, Long reached Double-A during the 2024 season and was a monster in 40 games. The right-handed hitter posted a 189 wRC+ in 200 plate appearances with the Smokies, slashing .340/.455/.528, with 7 home runs, while drawing more walks than strikeouts.
It would be an aggressive call, but there’s a chance that the Cubs place Long at Triple-A to begin the 2025 season.
(Previous Update)
Emerging Cubs prospect Jonathon Long had a monster game in the Arizona Fall League Wednesday night. The right-handed hitter recorded three hits, drove in five runs and blasted his first home run in the AFL.
Long, 22, had a breakout 2024 minor league season in the Cubs system. The corner infield and sometimes left fielder was promoted to Double-A following the All-Star break and now he has visions of beginning the 2025 season in Triple-A. That would be an outstanding outcome for the 2023 ninth round draft pick out of Long Beach State.
After a solid few months with the South Bend Cubs, Long destroyed pitching in a Tennessee Smokies uniform, posting a 189 wRC+ at Double-A in 200 trips to the plate to end the 2024 season. What made Long’s final couple months so special was that he had more walks (35) than strikeouts (33) while not losing his aggressiveness. Long smashed seven homers at Double-A and had nine doubles.
Now, the slugger is getting a chance to shine among other rising top prospects in the Arizona Fall League and on Wednesday Long was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. He singled in the first inning, doubled in the third inning with the bases loaded and then showed off his opposite field power with a two-run homer to right center field in the seventh.
Jonathon Long had himself a night in the desert.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 10, 2024
The @Cubs' No. 30 prospect fills up the box score with three hits and a pro-best five RBIs in @MLBazFallLeague action! pic.twitter.com/GMFwaBMBZB
No matter where he’s played Long has hit since being drafted by the Cubs. Last year in his pro ball debut Long slashed .260/.380/.532 in 92 plate appearances with Myrtle Beach.
Jonathon Long, remember that name.
