3 Cubs Prospects Screwed by Minor League Season Officially Being Canceled

The Chicago Cubs have essentially been robbed of an entire year of player development, as the 2020 minor league season ended before it even started due to the coronavirus pandemic. For a team that was finally starting to amass an impressive collection of prospects for the first time in several years, that has to be a crippling blow to their development.

These three prospects were supposed to kill it in the minor leagues this year, but that grand plan has been completely ruined due to the pandemic.

3. RHP Adbert Alzolay

Chicago Cubs righty Adbert Alzolay / Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Alzolay got his first taste of big league action in 2019, but that cup of coffee proved that he still needs a lot of work on his command before he is ready for primetime. After walking nine batters in 12.1 innings, Alzolay was sent back to Triple-A Iowa, where he figured to start the 2020 season. Alzolay will turn 26 in March 2021, and there is a chance that he might not make it back to the majors before then. The Cubs could be forced to move off of their much-hyped right-hander if they feel he hasn't made enough progress.

2. C Miguel Amaya

Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Amaya might be the best prospect in the country no one knows about, as the 6-2, 230 catcher has plus contact, power, and defense. While Willson Contreras is a major roadblock, Amaya was supposed to show in 2020 that his bat is far too valuable to be contained in the minor leagues. Rather than dominating Double-A Tennessee and/or Triple-A Iowa, Amaya might be forced to go an entire season without suiting up.

1. SS Nico Hoerner

Chicago Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner / Ralph Freso/Getty Images

Hoerner broke into the big leagues last year, and his .282 average and three home runs showed Cubs fans that the organization's top prospect was worth all of the hype. Even after that impressive stretch, Hoerner figured to start the 2020 season down in Triple-A, as the Cubs seem destined to make him a utility player that can master several defensive positions. Hoerner will either have to sit at home and waste an entire year of his baseball career away or return to a Cubs team that isn't going to give him a ton of at-bats at the pro level. This certainly isn't how they drew it up.