The Chicago Cubs have established themselves as early favorites in the NL Central with a strong start to the 2025 season. Their locked-in outfield of Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Ian Happ limits playing time for top prospect Owen Caissie, who is excelling at Triple-A Iowa.

With Justin Steele sidelined for the season due to elbow surgery, the Cubs are likely to explore pitching options leading up to the trade deadline. Potential targets include Sandy Alcántara, Tyler Anderson, Chris Bassitt, Andrew Heaney, and Pablo López. However, moving Caissie could be necessary to acquire a young, controllable pitcher.

The Iowa Cubs are set for an exciting season with a roster bolstered by an impressive group of prospects. Five of the Chicago Cubs' top 100 prospects will kick off the season in Iowa, including standout pitcher Cade Horton, who is the organization's top pitching prospect. Other top talents such as outfielder Owen Caissie and catcher Moises Ballesteros are also part of the Opening Day lineup. Ballesteros, who had a standout year last season, brings significant power to the plate.

The Iowa Cubs' roster features nine players ranked among the Cubs' top 30 prospects, showcasing the depth of talent. Additionally, 10 players on the roster are part of Chicago's 40-man roster, which emphasizes the strong connection between the parent club and its minor league affiliate. With the season underway, many eyes will be on these young players as they strive to make an impact and propel their careers forward.

As Major League Baseball ramps up for Opening Day, several promising outfield prospects are on the radar for fantasy enthusiasts. While some like Cam Smith secured their spots, others such as Jasson Dominguez and Dylan Crews were expected to make the cut. However, injuries and poor performances could create openings throughout the season. This article discusses four notable outfield prospects to watch closely who are largely available in fantasy drafts.

Charlie Condon of the Colorado Rockies is noted for his exceptional power, having led NCAA Division I with 37 homers in 2024. He's on the fast track to make an impact once he recovers from a hand injury. Meanwhile, Roman Anthony from the Boston Red Sox stands out as a top hitting prospect, boasting 20/20 potential. He has shown consistent performance across levels, making him a likely candidate for promotion should opportunities arise. Emmanuel Rodriguez of the Minnesota Twins is a risky pick due to his injury history but possesses significant upside in the long run. Lastly, Owen Caissie of the Chicago Cubs is rapidly approaching his MLB debut, showing strong offensive and fielding capabilities in the minors.

As spring training approaches, teams are finalizing their rosters, leading to player trades like the Los Angeles Dodgers’ recent deal involving Diego Cartaya. The young catcher was traded to the Minnesota Twins after struggling to break into the Dodgers' strong catching lineup, which includes Will Smith and Austin Barnes. The Twins, looking to enhance their roster, hope to revitalize Cartaya's potential as he remains a promising left-handed hitter at just 23 years old.

This pattern of trading young players who face obstacles in their current teams is common. Marco Luciano of the San Francisco Giants, Owen Caissie from the Chicago Cubs, and Jud Fabian of the Baltimore Orioles could also be on the trading block as they navigate complex team depth charts. The Giants have several established infielders, while the Cubs and Orioles have an abundance of outfield talent, making it difficult for these young prospects to secure a permanent spot.

The Washington Nationals, in a hypothetical redraft of the 2020 MLB draft, would have chosen Canadian outfielder Owen Caissie instead of their original pick, pitcher Cade Cavalli. Caissie, who was selected by the San Diego Padres that year, has emerged as a top prospect, currently rated No. 2 in the Chicago Cubs' farm system and No. 34 overall in baseball. His impressive Minor League performance includes a .278 batting average, 19 home runs, and 11 stolen bases in 2024.

On the other hand, Cavalli, who debuted in 2022, has struggled with injuries, including Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for most of 2023 and 2024. Despite a promising minor league career with a 3.46 ERA and 11.5 K/9 rate, he faces challenges in command and the need to maintain health as he aims to secure a spot in the Nationals' rotation in 2025.