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3 Top Prospects Who'll Be Called up by Cubs in 2020

By Brendan Balsamo

Nico Hoerner is the Cubs top prospect and will make a difference in 2020.
Nico Hoerner is the Cubs top prospect and will make a difference in 2020. / Denis Poroy/Getty Images

The Chicago Cubs, after having one of the strongest farm systems in the MLB just five years ago, now rank near the bottom of the MLB in that regard.

However, that is not to say they don't have a few prospects that could come up to the majors and make an impact in 2020. There are three, specifically, that caught our eye.

3. Zack Short

Nick Short was robbed of a September call-up due to injury.
Nick Short was robbed of a September call-up due to injury. / Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Cubs have no shortage of middle infielders in their system. Zack Short, a shortstop who is likely starting out the year at Triple-A Iowa, will be looking to crack the roster and make his MLB debut in 2020. He likely would have been called up last September if not for a hand injury, so he'll be hoping to get his chance this season. Short still has a ways to go until he's truly ready to be a solid everyday MLB player, having been considered to be a little too pull-happy by scouts, but his defense is elite. If his glove can stay top-tier and he can at least hit his own weight, expect to see Nick Short at Wrigley Field in 2020.

2. Adbert Alzolay

Alzolay was called up for a four-game stint with the Cubs and has performed well in the minors.
Alzolay was called up for a four-game stint with the Cubs and has performed well in the minors. / Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Adbert Alzolay had a taste of the major leagues in 2019 following a promotion from Triple-A in mid-June. His first appearance was a four-inning, five strikeout performance, but his following three outings were disastrous and he finished his big-league stint with a 7.30 ERA across 12 frames. He's struggled with injury throughout his minor-league career, but boasts a highly regarded tandem of fastball and curveball. He has potential, but needs to stay healthy and work on command in order to succeed in the bigs. Regardless, he'll likely get another shot in 2020.

1. Nico Hoerner

Hoerner was part of the 40-man roster in September for the Cubs.
Hoerner was part of the 40-man roster in September for the Cubs. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Nico Hoerner, the Cubs' top prospect, earned a September call-up in 2019 after hitting .284 across 70 games at Double-A. In his MLB debut, he went 3-for-5 with a triple, giving Cubs fans an early glimpse at his potential. His athleticism puts him far beyond any other prospect in the Cubs' system, and what he lacks in terms of power at the plate, he makes up for in contact and discipline, which could translate to the big leagues as soon as this year. Javier Baez and Hoerner could make up the Cubs middle infield for years to come, and fans could see that tandem take off in 2020.