Which Cubs Top Prospect is Closest To Helping Team?

One Chicago Cubs prospect remains on the doorstep of being able to help the team at Wrigley Field after MLB.com re-ranked its Top 100 prospects in baseball on Monday.

That prospect — pitcher Ben Brown — is at Triple-A Iowa and is putting together a solid season for the Cubs.

Brown came in ranked at No. 77, one of three Cubs prospects in the Top 100.

The others are outfielder Peter Crow-Thompson, who is No. 10 overall, and pitcher Cade Horton, who is No. 50.

But neither is at Triple-A. Crow-Thompson is at Double-A Tennessee while Horton is at High Class-A South Bend.

Brown, a former Phillies top prospect who was dealt to the Cubs last season for reliever David Robertson, could be an option if the Cubs need another starter or a left-handed long reliever.

Brown started the season at Tennessee but was quickly promoted to Iowa and in 14 starts he is 5-5 with a 3.53 ERA. He has 95 strikeouts and 34 walks.

Crow-Thompson didn’t start his pro career with the Cubs. He was the Mets’ first-round pick in 2020. With Tennessee he’s slashed .280/.363/.491/.854 with nine home runs and 45 RBI. He’s also drawn praise from Cubs brass for his defense.

Horton was one of the top college pitchers in the country when he was selected in the first round of last July’s draft out of Oklahoma. He started this season at Class-A Myrtle Beach and is 2-2 with a 2.93 ERA. His college experience is evident, as he’s struck out 67 and walked 12 in 11 starts (43 innings).