The Chicago Cubs are heading into spring training with a farm system that’s thinner than it’s been in years - and the timing couldn’t be more critical. With top prospects like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cade Horton, and Matt Shaw having recently graduated to the big leagues, and trades shipping out Cam Smith and Owen Caissie, the pipeline has taken a significant hit.
The result? A drop to No. 22 in Baseball America’s organizational rankings - the lowest mark for the Cubs since 2021.
That seven-spot slide from last year isn’t exactly shocking. The Cubs’ system has become top-heavy, with a noticeable lack of impact arms in the upper minors.
That’s not a new concern for fans who’ve been following the development track closely. But what is eye-opening - and perhaps more concerning - is what’s happening elsewhere in the division.
Three of the Cubs’ NL Central rivals - the Pirates, Cardinals, and Brewers - now sit atop the Baseball America farm system rankings. That’s not just a jab to the pride; it’s a flashing red warning light for the years ahead. These teams aren’t just rebuilding - they’re reloading with elite young talent, and fast.
Let’s start with Pittsburgh. The Pirates didn’t just climb the rankings - they vaulted 15 spots to No. 1 overall, their highest position since 2014.
And while Paul Skenes is the name most fans know, he’s far from the only weapon in their arsenal. Konnor Griffin, the game’s top prospect, could break camp with the big-league club, and the top of their system is loaded with difference-makers.
This is a team that’s not just building for the future - they could be a real Wild Card threat as soon as this season.
In St. Louis, the Cardinals are in the early stages of a rebuild, and while the major-league product might struggle in 2026, the farm system is suddenly flush with talent.
Chaim Bloom has wasted no time reshaping the organization, aggressively turning over the roster and stockpiling prospects. With JJ Wetherholt leading the charge, the Cardinals have jumped from No. 18 to No. 2 in just one year - a massive leap fueled by savvy trades and a clear organizational vision.
Then there’s Milwaukee, the ever-persistent thorn in the Cubs’ side. The Brewers have mastered the art of sustainable success - developing young talent, flipping veterans at peak value, and keeping the pipeline flowing.
Baseball America named them the 2025 Organization of the Year, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. Trading Freddy Peralta this offseason might sting in the short term, but it’s the kind of long-view move that’s kept them competitive year after year.
For the Cubs, the contrast is stark. This team is built to contend in 2026, but there’s a wave of roster turnover looming on the horizon.
The big-league club is talented, no doubt, but the reinforcements behind them? They’re fewer and farther between than you’d like to see for a team trying to sustain success.
Moises Ballesteros is likely to graduate from prospect status this season, which will further thin the top of the system. That puts pressure on Jed Hoyer and the front office to restock - and soon.
The upcoming draft will be pivotal. The Cubs need to hit on their picks, especially with their division rivals stacking talent at a rapid pace.
This isn’t a full-blown crisis, but it is a crossroads. The Cubs have the pieces to win now, but maintaining that window means replenishing the farm - and doing it quickly. Because if the Pirates, Cardinals, and Brewers are any indication, the NL Central is about to get a whole lot tougher.