Current Farm System Rankings and Top Prospects
In August, MLB.com ranked the Los Angeles Dodgers as the No. 1 farm system in Major League Baseball, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays at No. 2 and the Milwaukee Brewers at No. 3 [Reported/Alleged]. The Chicago Cubs were ranked 28th overall in the same list [Reported/Alleged].
Within the Cubs' organization, Cade Townsend is rated as the No. 4 prospect and holds the team's 2026 first-round pick [Reported/Alleged]. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer began rebuilding the farm system after trading away core players, a process led by pitchers Cade Horton and outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong [Reported/Alleged].
Recent roster moves have further altered the team's composition. The Cubs signed Alex Bregman to replace Matt Shaw at third base [Reported/Alleged]. Additionally, the team traded away a 2024 first-round pick, Cam Smith, for one-year rental Kyle Tucker [Reported/Alleged].
Scrutiny of Drafting and Prospect Development
Vice President of Scouting Dan Kantrovitz has been cited as having a lack of successful drafting [Reported/Alleged]. The Cubs have traded away top prospects including Owen Cassie, Jackson Ferris, Moises Ballesteros, and Jefferson Rojas [Reported/Alleged].
Evaluations of specific players drafted or developed under the current regime highlight mixed results. Ed Howard was considered a miss, Jordan Wicks has become a bust, and Matt Shaw is viewed as at best a role or utility player with limited star potential [Reported/Alleged].
Historical Context of Farm System Success
The current state of the Cubs' minor league system contrasts with previous eras of success driven by strong farm systems. Theo Epstein led the Boston Red Sox to World Series Championships in 2004 and 2007 after building their farm system from the ground up [Reported/Alleged].
When Epstein took over the Cubs, he rebuilt their farm system by drafting and trading for top prospects, which contributed to a World Series title [Reported/Alleged]. In the 2014 MLB Draft, the Cubs selected Kyle Schwarber, Justin Steele, and Dylan Cease; Cease was later traded and Schwarber left in free agency [Reported/Alleged].
During that period, the Cubs also traded top prospect Gleyber Torres to the New York Yankees to acquire Aroldis Chapman [Reported/Alleged]. The long-term impact of such moves is often measured by the performance of acquired talent. For instance, Kyle Schwarber hit 231 home runs in his first five seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, ranking second all-time behind Babe Ruth's 235, according to a September 10, 2026 tweet by Sarah Langs [Stated].