Hayden Wesneski heaps praise on Cubs prospects after rehab stint in minors
Hayden Wesneski is back in Chicago and champing at the bit to return to a big-league mound.
The young right-hander is expected to be activated off the IL sometime in the next couple days. He has missed the last 2 months with a right forearm strain.
While rehabbing from his injury, Wesneski was with Triple-A Iowa the last couple of weeks and came away with one main takeaway:
“I’m telling you right now – they have a lot of talent down there in the minors leagues,” Wesneski said Wednesday morning. “Good arms, but the young bats are what stand out to me.
“I didn’t see [James] Triantos play – I wish I saw him play. But that man Owen Caissie, he acts very professional. I like the way he hits. It’s a good time just to watch him play baseball.”
Triantos has been sidelined for most of this month due to minor bumps and bruises. The 21-year-old infielder reached Triple-A for the first time this summer.
In 114 games overall this season between Double-A and Triple-A, Triantos is hitting .300/.346/.427 (.773 OPS) with 7 homers, 52 RBI and 47 stolen bases. He ranks as MLB Pipeline’s No. 56 prospect.
[WATCH: Hayden Wesneski on his rehab journey and view of Cubs’ top prospects]
Caissie – the No. 33 prospect in the game, per MLB Pipeline – has spent the entire season with Iowa, his first year in Triple-A.
The 21-year-old outfielder is hitting .273 with a strong eye at the plate (.372 OBP) and some pop (.478 SLG, 19 HR, 74 RBI).
Both young hitters are knocking at the door of the big leagues and could be a factor on the big-league roster in 2025. Caissie needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.
Wesneski, 26, has appeared in 25 games (7 starts) for the Cubs this season. He has a 3.94 ERA and 1.20 WHIP while serving as both a high-leverage reliever, a long man out of the bullpen and a starter.
Check out the Marquee Sports Network app for complete minor league coverage.