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1 day ago | 
cubsinsider.com | Jacob Zanolla
Join Jacob, Blake, and Brett as they discuss the logistics of hitting, which statistics are important, and the recent NBA Lottery Drama. Subscribe to The Cubbie Climb with Brett Bateman on Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Spreaker!You can also check out the video version of the podcast on YouTube!Make sure to like the show and give it a five-star review!
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2 days ago | 
cubsinsider.com | Jacob Zanolla
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs are calling up top prospect Moises Ballesteros. Breaking News – The Cubs will call up C/ DH Moises Ballesterous from Triple A Iowa. He will likely be in the starting lineup tomorrow. Ian Happ to go on IL with oblique issue. — Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) May 13, 2025Ballesteros currently has a .942 OPS in AAA Iowa, posting a .368 average in 136 at-bats.
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2 days ago | 
cubsinsider.com | Jacob Zanolla
Players who have accumulated enough service time are no longer considered “prospects,” meaning the top prospect rankings need to be updated. As such, MLB Pipeline released its new rankings on Sunday. Several changes were made, including the Seattle Mariners now having nine(1) top-100 prospects, easily the most in baseball. The Cubs now have six minor leaguers ranked among the top 100, one less than last year.
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4 days ago | 
cubsinsider.com | Jacob Zanolla
Cade Horton has been called up and is set to make his MLB debut Saturday in New York, but it won’t be a conventional start for the right-hander. Craig Counsell announced on Friday that the Cubs would have Brad Keller start the game as the opener, and that Horton would be available out of the bullpenCraig Counsell on tomorrow’s starting pitcher: “(Brad) Keller’s gonna be the starter.
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4 days ago | 
cubsinsider.com | Jacob Zanolla
In order for the Cubs to acquire Ryan Pressly back in January, he first had to waive his no-trade clause. The right-hander lost the closer’s job when the Astros signed Josh Hader prior to the 2024 season, shifting him into a setup role. He wasn’t very effective, posting a 3.97 ERA in 56.2 innings, but there was a thought that getting save opportunities with a new team might reinvigorate his career.
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6 days ago | 
cubsinsider.com | Jacob Zanolla
It’s always a good day when you are no longer a Cardinal, and that goes double for Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago. Now known as Pope Leo XIV — the first pope from the US — following a two-day conclave, the pontiff is apparently a Cubs fan. Perhaps he can put in a good word for the health of the pitching staff for the rest of the season.
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6 days ago | 
cubsinsider.com | Jacob Zanolla
It’s happening. Sources have confirmed with CI that the Cubs are promoting top prospect Cade Horton, as Tommy Birch reported on Thursday afternoon. Horton has logged 29.0 innings with the Iowa Cubs, posting a 1.24 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. Make it 12 K's in 7.1 IP across two starts this season for Cade Horton!@Cubs | @IowaCubs pic.twitter.com/NCm8UYiM3E— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 11, 2025The right-hander is ranked as the 46th best prospect in baseball, number two in the Cubs’ system.
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1 week ago | 
cubsinsider.com | Jacob Zanolla
Shōta Imanaga was removed from his start on Sunday, exiting with a left hamstring strain suffered while sprinting to cover first base on a double play attempt. Imanaga was pulled from his previous start in Pittsburgh due to cramping, but this appears to be a different — and longer-lasting — injury. Either way, it’s detrimental to Chicago’s already hurting rotation. Justin Steele is out for the season, leaving Imanaga as the clear ace on the pitching staff.
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1 week ago | 
cubsinsider.com | Jacob Zanolla
As of April 12, Pete Crow-Armstrong‘s defense was the only thing keeping him afloat. He had a .197 batting average, a .521 OPS, and was still looking for his first home run of the season. That’s when Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that the Cubs had discussed an extension with their young center fielder. The news of a possible long-term deal came as somewhat of a surprise due to the slow start, but some theorized Jed Hoyer had tried to pounce while PCA’s value was low.
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2 weeks ago | 
cubsinsider.com | Jacob Zanolla
Justin Steele’s injury put a massive wrinkle into the Cubs’ pitching plans, with the team suddenly needing to replace their ace. The lack of offseason acquisitions once again became very prevalent, with Matthew Boyd being the only real starting pitcher brought in. Colin Rea was signed to provide depth and lost the battle for the fifth starter role during spring training, but Steele going down thrust him into the spotlight.
