As the Cubs embark on a new campaign with a new manager (Craig Counsell) at the helm, we answer 24 of the most pressing questions for the 2024 season.

The next wave is coming.

The Cubs have arguably the best farm system in baseball and a lot of those prospects are closing in on Chicago.

We saw some of that late last year, including young left-hander Jordan Wicks.

We will also see some youth on the Opening Day roster as Wicks will be in the initial rotation while newcomer Michael Busch (acquired from the Dodgers in January) is in line to be the team’s first baseman. Left-handed relief prospect Luke Little could also find himself in the Opening Day bullpen, even with veteran Drew Smyly opening in the bullpen.

Here are 10 of the top young players beyond Wicks, Busch and Little we could see at Wrigley Field at some point this summer:

Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF

The Cubs’ No. 1 prospect debuted last season but is still searching for his first MLB hit after going 0-for-14 in 13 games in “The Show.”

The Cubs strongly believe Crow-Armstrong has a bright future in the majors but with Cody Bellinger able to patrol center field and Mike Tauchman as a backup, the best course of action is to start the young outfielder in the minors at the outset of 2024.

The team already optioned Crow-Armstrong down to Triple-A Iowa, where he will get everyday at-bats in center field and continue to develop. That’s an important process for the 21-year-old, who has just 34 games at the Triple-A level under his belt.

He will get the call back to Chicago if injuries arise or if the Cubs have subpar production at first base and opt to move Bellinger to that spot, opening up center field.

Of course, there is also the possibility that Crow-Armstrong simply plays so well in Triple-A that the Cubs have no choice but to call him up and figure out how to get him everyday at-bats.

Alexander Canario, OF

Like Crow-Armstrong, Canario made his MLB debut down the stretch late last season. Unlike Crow-Armstrong, Canario was able to put up some production with 5 hits — including a grand slam — in 17 at-bats.

The 23-year-old slugger played just 53 minor-league games last season as he recovered from devastating shoulder and ankle injuries. He also does not have much time at the Triple-A level with only 56 games in Iowa under his belt.

Canario has a chance to make the Opening Day roster as a right-handed hitting outfielder already on the 40-man roster. But he could also benefit from regular playing time in the minors to begin the year.

The Cubs have a crowded outfield in the majors but like Crow-Armstrong, Canario can hit his way into the lineup.

In his last healthy season (2022), Canario posted an .899 OPS with 37 homers, 97 RBI and 23 stolen bases.

Matt Mervis, 1B

Mervis also made his debut last year, but it came in May — not September.

He was unable to continue his mashing ways in the majors, slashing .167/.242/.289 (.531 OPS) in 27 games and he struck out 32.3% of the time.

The Cubs sent Mervis down to the minors in mid-June and he remained there all year, even when rosters expanded in September. They chose to bring up players like Crow-Armstrong, Canario and Jared Young over Mervis down the stretch.

That’s not to say the team has completely given up on Mervis but the shine has definitely faded on the once-exciting prospect.

Still, he is on the 40-man roster and the Cubs have been open about their desire for more left-handed bats and more power in their big-league lineup so it’s possible Mervis works his way back into the equation at some point in 2024.

Ben Brown, RHP

The Cubs acquired Brown from the Philadelphia Phillies for David Robertson at the 2022 trade deadline. The young right-hander has developed into one of the top arms in the system and is knocking at the door of the big leagues.

Brown, 24, made 22 appearances (15 starts) in Triple-A last season after beginning the year in Double-A. All told, he finished with a 4.27 ERA and 1.40 WHIP while flashing incredible strikeout stuff (130 whiffs in 92.2 innings).

Control was a problem for Brown at times (5.5 BB/9) but if he can lock that in, he could factor in as a starter or multi-inning reliever in Chicago.

Cade Horton, RHP

The Cubs made Horton the 7th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and the righty has since turned into one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball.

Horton, 22, was utterly dominant in his first season of pro ball last year, posting a 2.65 ERA, 0.996 WHIP and 117 strikeouts against only 27 walks in 88.1 innings.

He finished the year at Double-A Tennessee and it may not be long before he’s ready for Chicago, either as a starter or a bullpen weapon.

Matt Shaw, IF

While Horton’s rise has been impressive, Shaw is on an even faster path toward Chicago. He was the 13th overall pick in last summer’s draft and already found himself in big-league camp this spring.

Shaw, 22, held his own in Cactus League play with 5 extra-base hits and 8 RBI in 14 games.

He raked across 3 levels in the minor-league system in his first pro season, slashing .357/.400/.618 (1.018 OPS) with 8 homers and 15 stolen bases in 38 games.

Shaw played shortstop in college but worked on third base over the winter and made some nice plays there in spring.

Matt Shaw has RANGE at third base! pic.twitter.com/EwuzrNy2MO

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 6, 2024

Shaw could follow the same path as Nico Hoerner by making his MLB debut the year after being drafted.

Owen Caissie, OF

At times this spring, Caissie looked like the best player on the field during his first big-league camp. He boasts a .344 average and .948 OPS in 14 Cactus League games and impressed Cubs coaches with his mature approach and demeanor.

At only 21, Caissie still has some development in his game but he should start the year in Triple-A and could force his way into the conversation in Chicago as a left-handed slugger either at DH or serving as outfield depth. He’s also been getting some work in at first base this spring, too. 

Luis Vázquez, IF

Unlike many of the players on this list, Vázquez is already on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, so his path to Chicago is simpler.

The 24-year-old shortstop is heralded as one of the best infielder defenders in the Cubs system and turned in a quality offensive season last year while spending most of his time in Triple-A.

Vázquez hit .271/.361/.456 (.817 OPS) with 20 homers, 80 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 124 games last season and then proceeded to hit .333 this spring in his first big-league camp.

If injuries strike the Cubs’ infield, expect Vázquez to be one of the first calls from Iowa.

Porter Hodge, RHP

Hodge, like Vázquez, was added to the team’s 40-man roster in November.

The 23-year-old righty got into 4 Cactus League games this spring after spending all of 2023 in Double-A.

Hodge, a 2019 draft pick, began last year as a starter but finished as a multi-inning reliever and provides bullpen depth in Chicago.

BJ Murray Jr., IF

Murray, 24, provides a ton of versatility as a switch-hitter who can play third or first base. He has an advanced approach at the plate (82 walks, .382 on-base percentage in 2023) with some pop (16 homers, 34 doubles) and speed (14 stolen bases).

He spent all of last year at the Double-A level and figures to start 2024 in Iowa, one call away from Chicago.

24 for ’24 series

What are the Cubs expecting from Kyle Hendricks in 2024 and beyond?
What role will Drew Smyly fill on the 2024 Cubs?
How will Jameson Taillon fare in Year 2 with Cubs?
How will Shota Imanaga handle the adjustment to MLB?
Who will DH for the Cubs?
Who is the Cubs’ fifth starter?
Will defense once again be the Cubs’ strength?
Can Seiya Suzuki pick up where he left off? 
What are the Cubs’ long-term plans at first base?
Have the Cubs done enough to address their left-handed hitting?
Will Justin Steele replicate his stellar 2023 season?
When will Pete Crow-Armstrong be up with the Cubs in Chicago?
Will Adbert Alzolay be Cubs’ closer again?
Who will hit leadoff?
How will Christopher Morel fare at third base?
How is the Cubs’ bullpen shaping up?
What will Year 2 look like for Dansby Swanson with Cubs?
What will the 2024 Cubs Opening Day roster look like?
How will the Cubs’ catching situation shake out?
Which Cubs prospects will we see in Chicago this season?