Cubs' Owen Caissie Has MLB Scouts "Buzzing"

Coming into camp, the Chicago Cubs farm system was ranked fifth best in baseball by The Athletic's Keith Law. Through the first couple weeks of spring training, they have put a lot of that young talent on display. The Cubs also have seven prospects in MLB's Top 100 Prospects list, one being Owen Caissie.

Caissie is 47th on MLB's Top 100 Prospects list. The 21-year-old outfielder was drafted in the second round of the 2020 draft by the San Diego Padres. He came to Chicago in the trade that sent Yu Darvish from the Cubs to the Padres.

Caissie spent 2022 with the Cubs single-A affiliation and all of 2023 with AA Tennessee. As an outfielder, he shares a stage with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Brennen Davis as outfield prospects on the cusp. But they are hindered by a crowded position at the big league level. And although the outfield for Opening Day 2024 is virtually set, it's not stopping Caissie from turning some heads.

Passan: MLB Scouts Are Buzzing About Owen Caissie

In his latest on ESPN+, insider Jeff Passan names Cubs' Owen Caissie as a player MLB scouts are "buzzing" about. He mentions how the Cubs do not necessarily have room for him at the big-league level, but he is not alone in the waiting. He mentioned PCA as another outfielder, as well as infielder Matt Shaw and pitchers Cade Horton and Ben Brown.

Passan also highlights the biggest strengths of Caissie's offensive game. The ball can fly a mile away when he gets a hold of a pitch on the barrel. He is at the top of the list when it comes to exit velocity. The power could provide a healthy home run total from the left side of the plate.

While Caissie is having a spring to remember at the plate, he will continue to work on his strikeouts. Caissie struck out 31% of the time last year in AA Tennessee. The trade-off for 35-40 home runs a season certainly helps with the strikeout rate, but that is something the Cubs and Caissie would like to see improve this year.

The Path For Caissie To The Majors

Manager Craig Counsell came from Milwaukee to an organization with more talent than he has room for, an excellent problem to have. The outfield, in particular, is extremely crowded. Barring injury or something drastic, Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, and Seiya Sizuiki will be the starting outfield on Opening Day in Arlington, Texas. He also announced Mike Tauchman will be on the initial roster on the bench, adding depth to the outfield.

However, Counsell will have Caissie and PCA (at a minimum) chomping at the bit for their opportunity to impact the big-league team. Caissie has undoubtedly proven a point thus far in the spring that he would like to be considered at least to make AAA Iowa's roster. Iowa could be stacked to start the season with Caissie, PCA, Brennen Davis, Kevin Alcantara, and even more patrolling the outfield and in the lineup.

MLB projects Caissie's arrival to the big leagues in 2025. PCA will undoubtedly be the Cubs' first call when the time comes for outfield depth. Alcantara and Alexander Canario might even be closer to the front of the line for a call due to their experience at the major league level. But do not be surprised if Caissie's spring has the Cubs thinking of alternative plans.